What Hitemco does

Hitemco is a US-based specialty coating services provider founded in 1974 and headquartered in Old Bethpage, New York. The company applies thermal spray and diffusion coatings — primarily High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF), plasma spray, and diffusion methods including pack cementation, gas phase, and slurry processes — to critical aerospace, defense, energy, transportation, and mineral-processing components such as jet engine turbine parts, landing gear, rotorcraft components, rocket thruster nozzles, and actuators. Operations are consolidated at a single Long Island site (with a 10,000 sq ft annex added in 2021), supported by in-house HVOF grinding and super-finishing capability that allows integrated coat-and-grind delivery. Hitemco is a privately held LLC and a subsidiary of Lincotek, a multinational surface-treatment group.

The company's technology stack centers on three complementary coating methodologies, each addressing distinct failure modes — wear, corrosion, high-temperature oxidation, and thermal fatigue — on superalloy and refractory substrates. HVOF propels coating particles at supersonic speeds (>8,700 m/s) for dense, hard wear surfaces; plasma spray uses ionized inert gas to deposit ceramic thermal barrier coatings such as yttria-stabilized zirconia; and diffusion coatings form integrally bonded intermetallic layers (aluminide, chromide, platinum, silicide) that cannot spall or blister. Differentiation rests on regulatory credentials (Nadcap including 2025 QML, AS9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, ITAR, DOD/DCMA, NQA-1), OEM approvals from Boeing, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Safran, Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky, Gulfstream, Siemens, Hill AFB, and NASA programs, and 50+ years of accumulated process know-how as a founding member of the Hard Chrome Alternative Technology (HCAT) group.

Hitemco operates a B2B enterprise contract-manufacturing model: customers submit RFQs specifying base material, dimensions, operating environment, and timeline; the engineering team scopes and quotes the work. Pricing is custom and not publicly disclosed, with billing occurring under multi-year framework contracts tied to approved OEM specifications. Go-to-market is direct field sales emphasizing person-to-person relationships, with no e-commerce or self-serve channels. Distribution is direct to OEMs and defense agencies, with global reach achieved through the Lincotek parent rather than Hitemco-owned international infrastructure. The customer base is entirely enterprise and government, with all primary revenue derived from aerospace and adjacent regulated industries.

Name

Hitemco

Legal name

Hitemco LLC

Website

https://hitemco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hitemco, founded in 1974 in Old Bethpage, NY, provides thermal spray and diffusion coating services to aerospace OEMs and defense contractors. A subsidiary of Lincotek, the firm holds Nadcap, AS9100, and ITAR certifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Surface Coatings (Thermal Spray & Diffusion)

NAICS

Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (3328)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermal Spray & Metallizing (HVOF/Plasma/Arc) (IMAIAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Application Equipment & Coating Services (Contract Coating, Surface Prep) (IMAEAGAL), Industrial & Commercial Painting/Coatings/Surface Treatment (IMAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Thermal spray coatings
• HVOF coating services
• Plasma spray coatings
• Diffusion coatings aerospace
• Precision grinding finishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Old Bethpage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Thermal Spray Coating Services: B2B contract manufacturing providing HVOF, plasma spray, and diffusion coating services for aerospace components. Revenue generated through project-based contracts with OEMs and defense contractors, with customers submitting RFQs for specific coating requirements on critical components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hitemco provides contract thermal spray and diffusion coating services for critical aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial components, applying High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF), air plasma spray, and diffusion (pack cementation, gas phase, slurry) coatings at its Old Bethpage, NY facility. The work is complemented by in-house precision CNC grinding/super-finishing to deliver finished coated components to OEM-specified dimensions and surface finishes. Services are sold project-by-project to aerospace manufacturers and defense contractors under OEM-approved and Nadcap/AS9100-accredited processes.

Product overview

Hitemco offers a unified portfolio of thermal spray and diffusion coating services for critical aerospace, defense, energy, and transportation components. The core offerings include HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) coatings for wear and corrosion protection, Plasma Spray coatings for high-temperature thermal barrier applications, and Diffusion Coatings (including Pack Cementation, Gas Phase, and Slurry methods) for environmental protection of superalloy turbine and rocket components. These coating services are complemented by in-house HVOF Grinding Services for precision post-coating finishing. The company has been operating since 1974 and serves major aerospace OEMs including Boeing, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Collins Aerospace, and Honeywell.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) Coatings Thermal spray coating service that propels coating particles at supersonic speeds (>8,700 m/s) to deposit dense, hard coatings for wear, corrosion, and abrasion protection. Used as a safer alternative to toxic hexavalent chrome plating on aerospace landing gear, engine, and defense components supplied by OEMs.
• Plasma Spray Coatings Air plasma spray coating service using ionized inert gas (argon or nitrogen) to create high-temperature plasma flames that apply alloy and ceramic coatings, including yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings on jet engine components, turbine parts, and other high-temperature aerospace applications.
• Diffusion Coatings Thermal diffusion coating service employing pack cementation, gas phase, and slurry processes to form integrally bonded, oxygen-impervious intermetallic coatings on superalloy and refractory components for high-temperature oxidation and corrosion protection, including turbine, rocket, and defense parts.
• HVOF Grinding Services In-house precision grinding and super-finishing service dedicated to Hitemco-coated aerospace components, using CNC grinding machines, ID/OD grinding, belt grinders, and polishing equipment to deliver components to OEM-specified surface smoothness and dimensional tolerances.
• Pack Cementation Diffusion Coatings Pack cementation diffusion coating sub-service that packs components in a chamber with aluminum or chromium coating source powders, inert fillers, and a catalyst to form alloyed intermetallic protective coatings on superalloy aerospace parts.
• Gas Phase Diffusion Coatings Gas phase diffusion coating sub-service in which parts are suspended in a heated chamber with coating gases (e.g., aluminum or chromium donor gases) that condense and diffuse into the parent alloy, suited to components with cooling holes or non-line-of-sight features such as turbine airfoils.
• Fused Slurry Silicide Diffusion Coatings Slurry-fused disilicide diffusion coating sub-service that delivers high-temperature oxidation resistance to refractory metal components (columbium, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten), notably for rocket thruster nozzle and space propulsion applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced turnaround times by several weeks while maintaining quality standards
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Haydale Technologies: Haydale develops advanced plasma-functionalized coatings and nanomaterials for aerospace and industrial applications. It represents an emerging class of technology-driven competitors entering the aerospace coatings space with differentiated material platforms.
• Flame Spray Technologies: Flame Spray Technologies is a niche supplier of thermal spray equipment and coating services with growing aerospace exposure. While smaller than Hitemco's typical OEM customers, it represents the kind of specialized competitor pursuing similar Nadcap qualifications.

Broad incumbents

• Saint-Gobain Coating Solutions: Saint-Gobain is a large industrial materials conglomerate whose coating solutions division supplies aerospace and industrial customers with specialty coatings. Its broad portfolio includes competing products, though thermal spray is not its core focus.
• Howmet Aerospace: Howmet Aerospace is a leading supplier of engineered coatings and castings for aerospace engine and airframe components. While primarily a parts manufacturer, its in-house coating capabilities (especially aluminide diffusion and platinum-aluminide) make it both a customer-coating supplier and a potential competitor to Hitemco.

Direct peers

• Bodycote: Bodycote is a global provider of thermal processing services including diffusion coatings, hot isostatic pressing, and surface treatments serving aerospace, defense, and energy markets. It competes directly with Hitemco on pack aluminide, chromide, and silicide diffusion coatings for turbine and aerospace components.
• Chromalloy: Chromalloy is a major independent provider of engineered coatings, repairs, and MRO services for gas turbine engine components, with deep relationships with aerospace OEMs. Its diffusion aluminide and platinum aluminide coatings directly overlap with Hitemco's offerings.
• Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies: Curtiss-Wright's Surface Technologies division provides shot peening, heat treatment, and specialty coatings (including HVOF and diffusion) to aerospace and defense customers. Its processing capabilities and aerospace customer base closely parallel Hitemco's.
• Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde): Praxair Surface Technologies, now part of Linde, is one of the world's largest thermal spray coating service providers serving aerospace, industrial gas turbine, and automotive markets. It is the most direct competitor to Hitemco across HVOF, plasma spray, and diffusion coatings for aerospace OEMs.
• APS Materials Inc: APS Materials specializes in thermal spray coatings (plasma, HVOF, flame spray) and diffusion coatings for aerospace, biomedical, and industrial markets. Its service model, customer base, and technical capabilities closely mirror Hitemco's.
• Oerlikon Metco: Oerlikon Metco is a leading global supplier of thermal spray materials, equipment, and coating services, with strong positions in aerospace turbine and industrial gas turbine coatings. Its service network directly competes with Hitemco's HVOF, plasma, and diffusion coating offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Hitemco