Permatex

What Permatex does

Permatex, founded in 1909 and headquartered in Solon, Ohio with a corporate mailing address in Hartford, Connecticut, is a manufacturer and marketer of chemical maintenance and repair products for the automotive aftermarket, with adjacent applications in marine and home repair. Its core technology platform is built around chemical formulations, including anaerobic sealants that cure in the absence of air in the presence of metal, room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV) silicone gasket makers, color-coded threadlockers (Blue/Orange/Red), specialty lubricants, epoxies, stop-leak products, and a portfolio of repair kits. The product line is organized into sub-brands including The Right Stuff (rapid-cure gasket makers and threadlockers), Ultra Series (Ultra Black/Blue/Grey/Copper), Optimum Easy-Disassembly, Fast Orange (hand cleaners and laundry detergent), Scrubs, and Spray Nine (heavy-duty cleaner/degreaser/disinfectant).

The company generates revenue through one-time sales of chemical products distributed primarily through major US auto parts retail chains (AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts), independent distributors (Auto Value, BTB Auto Parts, Auto Plus), and international distributor partners in 15+ countries. Its go-to-market combines channel distribution, motorsports sponsorships (NHRA Follow A Dream for 12+ years, StarCom Racing NASCAR), industry trade shows (SEMA, AAPEX), and an ASE-accredited online training portal at permatextraining.com that targets professional technicians and countermen. Permatex serves three primary customer segments: professional automotive technicians (primary), DIY consumers, and commercial fleet operators, while operating as a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) following ITW's 1999 acquisition, which provides shared infrastructure but means Permatex is not independently capitalized or governed.

Name

Permatex

Legal name

Permatex (division of Illinois Tool Works Inc.)

Website

https://permatex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Permatex, a 1909-founded division of Illinois Tool Works, manufactures and distributes chemical maintenance and repair products, including gasket makers, threadlockers, lubricants, sealants, and hand cleaners, serving professional technicians, DIY consumers, and fleet operators through major auto parts retailers and international distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Maintenance Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191), Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Fluids, Lubricants & Chemical Products Manufacturing (Oils/Coolants/Additives/Cleaners) (IMACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL), Fuel Additives & Lubricant Additives (IMAEAMAL), Car Wash, Auto Detailing & Vehicle Cleaning Supplies Distribution (CRAOAGAM), Packaging, Filling & Private Label / Contract Manufacturing (EUALAJAD)

Keywords

• Automotive maintenance chemicals
• Gasket sealants
• Threadlocker compounds
• Automotive adhesives
• Hand cleaning products

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Chemical Maintenance Products: One-time sale of chemical formulations including gasket makers, threadlockers, sealants, lubricants, and repair kits sold through auto parts distribution channels and directly to automotive professionals

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Permatex manufactures, markets, and distributes chemical products for automotive maintenance and repair, including gasket makers, threadlockers, lubricants, adhesives, sealants, stop leaks, and specialized repair kits. Operating as a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. since 1999, the company serves professional automotive technicians, commercial fleet operators, and DIY consumers through a broad distribution network.

Product overview

Permatex is a chemical technology company specializing in automotive maintenance and repair products, operating as a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. since 1909. The product portfolio is organized into interconnected core lines: Gasket Makers (including The Right Stuff, Ultra, and Optimum sub-brands) provide sealing solutions; Threadlockers (Blue, Orange, Red) secure fasteners with color-coded strength levels; Lubricants (brake, anti-seize, specialty) protect components; Adhesives & Sealants enable bonding across materials; Stop Leaks address fluid system repairs; and Specialized Maintenance & Repair products cover body work, rust treatment, and comprehensive repair kits. Supporting these core offerings are Hand Care brands (Fast Orange, Scrubs) and specialty disinfectants (Spray Nine). The products serve both professional technicians and DIY consumers across automotive, marine, and home applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fast Orange: Hand cleaners and mechanic's laundry detergent products including Fast Orange Grease X
• The Right Stuff
• Scrubs
• Spray Nine
• Ultra Series
• Optimum

Products and services

• Gasket Makers

Quantifiable outcome

• 3X stronger than Blue Threadlocker
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• StarCom RacingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020NASCAR Cup Series racing team sponsorship for the 2020 season, sponsoring the #00 car and driver Quin Houff in select races to build brand visibility in professional motorsports.
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Motorsports sponsorship of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events, with Fast Orange serving as presenting sponsor for events like the OPTIMA Batteries Busch 50.
• Auto ValuecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational auto parts distribution network partner distributing Permatex products through their retail locations across the United States.
• BTB Auto PartscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent auto parts distributor with multiple retail locations serving automotive service professionals and consumers.
• Auto PluscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuto parts distribution network partner providing Permatex product availability through their distribution network.
• NAPA Auto PartscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national auto parts chain with extensive distribution network carrying Permatex products.
• O'Reilly Auto PartscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational auto parts retail chain offering Permatex products across their store network.
• International Distributor NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal distribution network including partners in Singapore, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Korea, Hungary, Thailand, Greece, Israel, UAE, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and UK enabling international market presence.
• Follow A Dream RacingflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term motorsports sponsorship partnership with NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team. Partnership has spanned 12+ consecutive racing seasons since 2005, serving as Permatex's primary motorsports marketing platform to demonstrate product performance in extreme racing conditions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Genuine Parts Company (NAPA): Parent of NAPA Auto Parts, a major Permatex distribution partner. Comparable as automotive aftermarket chemicals and parts distributor, and serves as both customer and adjacent competitor through private-label lines.
• Illinois Tool Works (ITW): Permatex's parent conglomerate. Comparable as the diversified industrial group housing multiple automotive-adjacent product divisions, providing capital allocation and shared distribution infrastructure context for Permatex.

Broad incumbents

• 3M: Broad industrial conglomerate with significant automotive aftermarket chemicals (adhesives, sealants, abrasives). 3M competes with Permatex across multiple product categories as part of a much larger diversified portfolio.
• Valvoline: Major lubricants and automotive chemicals supplier with established retail and quick-lube presence. Overlaps with Permatex in lubricants and additive categories while operating at much larger scale through service center network.

Emerging players

• Liqui Moly: German specialty manufacturer of lubricants, additives, and automotive chemicals. Comparable in product mix and premium positioning, with growing international presence similar to Permatex's global footprint.

Direct peers

• WD-40 Company: Manufacturer of multi-use lubricants, penetrants, and specialty maintenance chemicals sold through the same auto parts retail channels. Highly comparable in product chemistry, distribution strategy, and DIY/professional segmentation.
• Berryman Products: US specialty chemical maker focused on automotive fuel additives, cleaners, and maintenance chemicals. Direct niche competitor serving similar auto parts retail channels and DIY/professional segments.
• CRC Industries: Specialty chemical manufacturer focused on automotive MRO products including lubricants, penetrants, cleaners, and sealants. Directly comparable in product mix, channel (auto parts retailers), and professional/DIY customer base.
• Devcon: Manufacturer of epoxy adhesives, coatings, and repair compounds for automotive and industrial MRO. Direct overlap with Permatex's epoxies and adhesives lines, serving similar professional and DIY channels.
• Henkel (Loctite): Direct competitor in threadlockers, anaerobic sealants, gaskets, and adhesives for automotive/MRO. Loctite is the leading premium brand against which Permatex's Orange threadlocker and Right Stuff lines compete on strength and cure time.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@permatexvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/permatexusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/itw-permatex
• Instagraminstagram.com/permatexusa
• Xx.com/permatex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Permatex