Summit Seed Coatings
Summit Seed Coatings is a U.S. specialty manufacturer that formulates and applies custom seed coatings for legume, turf, forage, row crop, and cover crop seed, serving global seed producers, wholesalers, cooperatives, and retailers across 71 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersCaldwell, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Summit Seed Coatings does
Summit Seed Coatings is a U.S.-based specialty agricultural input manufacturer and seed coating service provider founded in 2002 in Caldwell, Idaho, and operating three production facilities — two in Caldwell (including a former BASF polymer coating site acquired in 2023) and one in New Albany, Indiana. The company applies custom-formulated coating chemistries to third-party seed for seed producers, wholesalers, cooperatives, dealers, brokers, and retailers, and has developed a portfolio of branded coating products (Apex for legumes, Pinnacle for turf and forage grasses, HydroLoc as a moisture-retention add-on, QuickStart for row-crop early growth, Plus Super Absorbent Shell, and TerraUniform for cover crops), with OMRI-listed organic variants for certified-organic programs. Summit describes itself as one of the largest seed coating facilities in the U.S., serving customers across 71 states and countries with more than 101 unique coating solutions, and cites over 40 years of combined advanced coating experience across its Idaho and Indiana operations.
Summit monetizes through two primary revenue streams: (1) custom coating services applied to customer-supplied seed, priced by formulation complexity, volume, and specifications; and (2) sales of proprietary branded seed treatment products, available in conventional and OMRI-listed organic variants. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with small-pack capabilities (1–25 lb bags) suggesting downstream retail distribution alongside enterprise-scale volumes. The go-to-market combines direct field sales (regional sales directors and reps covering Idaho and Indiana markets), industry-conference presence (e.g., ASTA Field Crop Seed Convention), and a multi-channel marketing mix spanning trade publications (Seed World U.S.), content marketing, and social platforms. Distribution extends from global enterprise accounts (Bayer, Syngenta, Sakata, Nutrien) and major U.S. wholesalers and cooperatives (Forage Genetics, DLF, CHS, Land O' Lakes, Growmark) through to retail outlets (Tractor Supply, Rural King, Coastal).
The company has been owned since August 2021 by Tide Rock Holdings, a San Diego-based unlevered buyout firm. Under Tide Rock, the founder Bill Talley retired to a consulting role and David Henze was installed as Group CEO, bringing prior leadership experience from Coleman Agriculture, JR Simplot, Idahoan Foods, and related food/agri businesses. Operational expansion has continued post-acquisition, including the 2023 BASF Caldwell facility integration, the 2025 TerraUniform product launch, sustained OMRI certifications, and ISO 9001:2015 quality systems compliance at the former BASF site.
Summit Seed Coatings firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Summit Seed Coatings
- Legal name
- Summit Seed Coatings
- Website
- https://summitseedcoatings.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Summit Seed Coatings is a U.S. specialty manufacturer that formulates and applies custom seed coatings for legume, turf, forage, row crop, and cover crop seed, serving global seed producers, wholesalers, cooperatives, and retailers across 71 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Summit Seed Coatings industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Seed Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seed Treatments (Fungicidal, Insecticidal, Biological, Polymer Coatings) (AFABAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB), Seed Production & Multiplication (Contract Growing, Foundation/Certified Seed) (AFABAFAK)
Keywords
Where Summit Seed Coatings is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Caldwell
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Summit Seed Coatings business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Seed Coating Services: Custom formulation and application of seed coatings for domestic and international seed companies. Charges for coating services applied to customer seed products, with pricing based on formulation complexity, volume, and product specifications.
- Proprietary Seed Treatment Products: Sale of branded seed coating products including Apex, Pinnacle, HydroLoc, QuickStart, and Plus Super Absorbent Shell. Products available in conventional and OMRI-listed organic formulations for certified organic programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom coating solutions with product and application pricing based on specific crop, formulation requirements, and volume |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Summit Seed Coatings product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Summit Seed Coatings formulates and applies custom seed coating treatments to agricultural seeds, with proprietary branded product lines including Apex (legumes), Pinnacle (turf and forage grasses), HydroLoc (moisture-retention hydrogel additive), QuickStart (early-growth nutrient treatment), TerraUniform (cover crop blends), and Plus Super Absorbent Shell (handling enhancement). The company operates high-volume coating facilities serving seed producers, wholesalers, cooperatives, dealers, brokers, and retailers across domestic and international markets.
Product overview
Summit Seed Coatings offers a portfolio of research-backed seed coating solutions designed to improve seed performance across diverse crop types. The core products include Apex™ (for legume crops like alfalfa), Pinnacle™ (for turf and forage grasses), and TerraUniform™ (for cover crops). These are complemented by add-on modules including HydroLoc (moisture/nutrient retention enhancer) and QuickStart (early germination accelerator), plus the Plus Super Absorbent Shell for improved handling. Products are available in OMRI-listed organic formulations and are tested through university and independent trials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Apex: Top-tier seed coating designed to enhance plant growth, specifically formulated for legume seeds to promote quick root development, improve moisture retention, and increase yield.
- Pinnacle
- HydroLoc
- QuickStart
- TerraUniform
Products and services
- Apex™ Seed Coating
- Pinnacle™ Seed Coating
Quantifiable outcome
- University of Iowa study demonstrates Hydroloc benefits germination in both irrigated and drought/restricted irrigation conditions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Summit Seed Coatings
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Summit Seed Coatings technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Summit Seed Coatings partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Summit Seed Coatings competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Incotec Group: Incotec is a global leader in seed coating, encrusting, and pelleting technology, headquartered in the Netherlands. It is the most direct comparable to Summit, offering similar coating services and proprietary seed treatment products to seed producers worldwide.
- Germains Seed Technology: Germains is a specialist in seed priming, coating, and pelleting, primarily serving the vegetable, sugar beet, and field crop seed industries. Directly comparable to Summit for its proprietary coating formulations and contract coating services to global seed producers.
- BrettYoung Seeds: BrettYoung is a Canadian seed company that produces forage, turf, and cover crop seeds with proprietary seed coating and treatment technology. Comparable to Summit in focus on forage/turf/legume coatings and serving the North American seed producer market.
Broad incumbents
- Croda International (Seed Enhancement): Croda is a global specialty chemicals company with a seed enhancement business offering film coatings, polymers, and biologicals for seed treatment. It is comparable as a major input supplier to the seed coating industry, though its offerings are broader than Summit's contract coating service.
- BASF Agricultural Solutions: BASF is a global crop science company with a significant seed treatment portfolio, including the former Caldwell, Idaho facility now operated by Summit. Comparable as a competitor/customer in seed treatment chemistry and polymer coatings, with a much broader product portfolio.
- Syngenta (Seedcare): Syngenta's Seedcare business offers a global portfolio of seed treatment products and application services, including polymer coatings. Comparable to Summit as a vertically integrated customer-competitor in seed treatment, with significantly greater scale and captive R&D.
- Bayer Crop Science (SeedGrowth): Bayer's SeedGrowth unit offers seed treatment products, equipment, and services for major row crops globally. Comparable to Summit as a major customer that also competes via its own seed treatment capabilities, serving overlapping seed company customers.
- Corteva Agriscience: Corteva operates a global seed treatment business (including biologicals and polymer coatings) integrated with its Pioneer and Brevant seed brands. Comparable to Summit in coating chemistry and applicator equipment, with a much larger captive customer base.
Emerging players
- Loveland Products (Nutrien Ag Solutions): Loveland Products, part of Nutrien Ag Solutions, offers seed treatment products and crop inputs through U.S. ag retail channels. Comparable to Summit in serving the U.S. seed treatment market with proprietary and third-party coating technologies, primarily via ag retailers.
- Spectrum Seed Coatings: Spectrum Seed Coatings is a North American provider of custom seed coating and pelleting services, focused on vegetables, herbs, flowers, and small-seeded crops. Comparable to Summit in offering contract coating services with proprietary formulations, but smaller and more niche.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Summit Seed Coatings social profiles
Digital presenceSummit Seed Coatings compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Summit Seed Coatings financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Summit Seed Coatings leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Summit Seed Coatings funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Summit Seed Coatings M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Summit Seed Coatings
What does Summit Seed Coatings do?
Summit Seed Coatings formulates and applies custom seed coating treatments to agricultural seeds, with proprietary branded product lines including Apex (legumes), Pinnacle (turf and forage grasses), HydroLoc (moisture-retention hydrogel additive), QuickStart (early-growth nutrient treatment), TerraUniform (cover crop blends), and Plus Super Absorbent Shell (handling enhancement). The company operates high-volume coating facilities serving seed producers, wholesalers, cooperatives, dealers, brokers, and retailers across domestic and international markets.
Is Summit Seed Coatings a public or private company?
Summit Seed Coatings is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Summit Seed Coatings founded?
Summit Seed Coatings was founded in 2002. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Summit Seed Coatings based?
Summit Seed Coatings is headquartered in Caldwell, United States, in the North America region.
How does Summit Seed Coatings make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Seed Coating Services are the primary driver. The others are proprietary Seed Treatment Products.
Who are Summit Seed Coatings's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Incotec Group, Germains Seed Technology and BrettYoung Seeds. Broad incumbents are Croda International (Seed Enhancement), BASF Agricultural Solutions, Syngenta (Seedcare), Bayer Crop Science (SeedGrowth) and Corteva Agriscience. Emerging players are Loveland Products (Nutrien Ag Solutions) and Spectrum Seed Coatings.
Does Summit Seed Coatings have an API?
No public API is recorded for Summit Seed Coatings.
What industry is Summit Seed Coatings in?
Summit Seed Coatings's product category is Agricultural Seed Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABAFAI, Seed Treatments (Fungicidal, Insecticidal, Biological, Polymer Coatings), with a secondary code of IMAEAGAB, Industrial & Protective Coatings. Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2870.