Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies

What Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies does

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies is a B2B industrial services division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW), headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey, providing controlled metal surface treatments and engineered coatings to aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, medical, and general engineering customers. The division was consolidated under the 'One Curtiss-Wright' initiative in 2020, drawing together a portfolio of acquired brands (Metal Improvement Company, Everlube, FW Gartner Thermal Spraying, Para Tech Coating, Bolt's Metallizing, E/M Coating Services, Keronite Group, Ytstruktur Arboga AB, and IMR Test Labs) into a unified platform with 70+ years of operating heritage.

The service portfolio is organized into two primary lines: peening services (shot peening, laser peening, ultrasonic cavitation peening, shot and laser peen forming, C.A.S.E. isotropic superfinishing, and additive manufacturing post-processing) and engineered coatings (Parylene, acrylic and urethane conformal coatings, dry film lubricants, EMI/RFI shielding, thermal spray, laser cladding, PTA cladding/hardfacing, and plasma electrolytic oxidation/Keronite). Materials testing and analytical services are delivered through the IMR Test Labs subsidiary, supporting qualification work from component design through in-service maintenance.

Revenue is generated through quote-based, multi-year service engagements with enterprise industrial customers, delivered via a network of 65+ facilities across 16 countries and on-site field teams. The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales supported by a multilingual digital presence (12+ languages) and technical content marketing. The division does not disclose standalone revenue and operates under the public Curtiss-Wright parent, which also runs Defense Electronics, Aerospace & Industrial, and Naval & Power segments.

Name

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies

Legal name

Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Website

https://cwst.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies, a division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW), delivers controlled metal surface treatments, engineered coatings, and materials testing through 65+ facilities across 16 countries for aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, medical, and general engineering customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Surface Treatment Services

NAICS

Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281), Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Application Equipment & Coating Services (Contract Coating, Surface Prep) (IMAEAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Protective Coatings (Steel/Concrete/Equipment) (IMAIAKAB), Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM), Surface Preparation Equipment (Shot Blasting, Scarifiers, Grinders) (IMAHALAL)

Keywords

• Metal surface treatments
• Shot peening services
• Laser peening
• Engineered coatings
• Materials testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paramus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Surface Treatment Services: Curtiss-Wright generates revenue through providing specialized metal surface treatment services including shot peening, laser peening, cavitation peening, peen forming, and related processes. These are primarily service-based engagements with industrial customers requiring precision surface treatments for critical components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies delivers controlled metal surface treatment services and engineered coatings to industrial customers across aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, medical, and general engineering. Offerings include shot peening, laser peening, cavitation peening, peen forming, C.A.S.E. isotropic superfinishing, additive manufacturing post-processing, Parylene and other engineered coatings, thermal spray and PEO coatings, plus independent materials testing via IMR Test Labs. Services are executed at customer sites (including mobile laser peening) or at any of the company's 65+ worldwide facilities through quote-based B2B engagements.

Product overview

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies is a surface treatment and metal improvement company with 70+ years of experience and a network of over 60 facilities in 16 countries. The portfolio is organized as a unified platform of surface treatment services with multiple acquired brands and specialized subsidiaries. Core services include Shot Peening, Laser Peening, Cavitation Peening, Peen Forming (Shot and Laser), C.A.S.E. Isotropic Superfinishing, Additive Manufacturing Post Processing, and Materials Testing & Analytical Services. Engineered Coatings encompass Parylene Coatings, Conformal Coatings, Dry Film Lubricants, EMI/RFI Shielding, Thermal Spray Coatings, Laser Cladding, PTA Cladding/Hardfacing, and Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO). The company has grown through acquisitions of leading controlled metal surface treatment companies including Metal Improvement Company, E/M Coating Services, Everlube, FW Gartner Thermal Spraying, Para Tech Coating, Bolt's Metallizing, IMR Test Labs, and Keronite Group Limited. Services target key industries: aerospace, chemical, automotive, energy, medical, and general engineering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shot Peening Cold working process in which small spherical media (shot) bombard the surface of a part to induce compressive residual stresses that improve fatigue life and resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Serves aerospace, automotive, energy, and general engineering customers.
• Laser Peening Surface treatment using high-intensity laser pulses to induce deep residual compressive stresses. Delivered at facilities in the US and UK and through a Mobile Laser Peening Facility for large stationary parts at customer sites.
• Ultrasonic Cavitation Peening Surface treatment using cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasonic energy to peen metal surfaces and improve fatigue life.
• Shot Peen Forming Controlled shot peening process used to form aerodynamic surfaces and contoured parts by inducing compressive stresses that shape the workpiece.
• Laser Peen Forming Laser-based peen forming technology for shaping and contouring metal components with precise control.
• C.A.S.E. Isotropic Superfinishing Computer-Aided Surface Enhancement isotropic superfinishing process that produces ultra-smooth, directionally uniform surface finishes to reduce friction and improve fatigue performance.
• Additive Manufacturing Post Processing Specialized post-processing services for additively manufactured components to achieve required surface finishes, residual stress profiles, and material properties.
• Parylene Coatings Vacuum-deposited polymer coatings providing uniform, pin-hole free protection for critical components in medical, aerospace, and electronic applications.
• Conformal Coatings (Acrylic & Urethane) Protective acrylic and urethane conformal coatings applied to electronic assemblies for moisture, chemical, and environmental protection.
• Dry Film Lubricants Solid film lubricant coatings providing long-lasting lubrication and wear resistance for high-temperature and extreme environment applications, including Everlube-branded products.
• EMI/RFI Shielding Coatings Electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference shielding coatings for electronic components and assemblies.
• Thermal Spray Coatings Thermal spray coating technologies including HVOF, plasma, and combustion processes for wear, corrosion, and thermal barrier protection, delivered via FW Gartner Thermal Spraying and Bolt's Metallizing operations.
• Laser Cladding Laser cladding process for applying wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant overlays to component surfaces.
• PTA Cladding / Hardfacing Plasma transferred arc cladding and hardfacing services for rebuilding and protecting worn components.
• Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) Coatings Keronite plasma electrolytic oxidation technology providing ceramic oxide coatings on light metals for wear, corrosion, and thermal protection. Nadcap approved for aerospace and defense use.
• Component Coating and Repair Services Comprehensive component coating and repair services for industrial and aerospace applications, including MRO and overhaul support.
• Materials Testing and Analytical Services Independent laboratory testing services through the IMR Test Labs subsidiary, supporting raw material selection and validation during the component design phase.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Element Materials Testing: Element is a global independent materials testing and product qualification laboratory serving aerospace, transportation, and industrial customers. It is a direct peer for CWST's IMR Test Labs subsidiary, competing for the same materials testing and failure-analysis RFPs.
• Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde): Praxair Surface Technologies, now part of Linde, is a leading global provider of thermal spray coatings, laser cladding, and high-performance surface solutions for aerospace and industrial components. It directly overlaps with CWST's thermal spray, laser cladding, and PTA hardfacing service lines.
• Metallic Bonds: Metallic Bonds is a US-based specialist shot peening and metal improvement service provider serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers. It competes directly with CWST's core shot peening service line in the North American market.
• Bodycote: Bodycote is the world's largest pure-play provider of heat treatment and surface technology services to aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers. It is the closest direct peer to Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies, offering shot peening, diffusion coatings, and engineered surface treatments through a global facility network.
• Wallwork Heat Treatment: Wallwork is a UK-based private provider of heat treatment, vacuum brazing, and surface treatment services (including shot peening and nitriding) to aerospace, motorsport, and industrial customers. It is a directly comparable mid-sized surface treatment specialist competing in CWST's core aerospace/defense verticals.
• HEF Group: HEF Group is a France-headquartered specialist in surface engineering and tribology, providing PVD/PECVD coatings, nitriding, and surface treatment services to automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. It competes directly with CWST's engineered coatings and peening offerings across European industrial customers.

Broad incumbents

• NIPPON STEEL Surface Treatment: NIPPON STEEL operates extensive in-house and merchant surface treatment operations including plating, coating, and metal improvement as part of its broader steel and industrial materials portfolio. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to CWST, though it is not specialized as a pure-play surface treatment service provider.
• Voestalpine: Voestalpine is an Austrian steel-based technology group with metal processing divisions providing surface-treated strip, coatings, and metal components for automotive and industrial customers. It overlaps with CWST's engineered coatings and surface treatment capabilities as part of a much broader industrial portfolio.
• SGS (Industrial / Materials Testing): SGS, through its acquired Exova business, is a global testing, inspection, and certification company providing materials testing and failure analysis services. It is a broad-incumbent peer competing for the same materials testing RFPs as CWST's IMR Test Labs subsidiary, though as part of a much larger TIC portfolio.

Others

• Curtiss-Wright Corporation (parent): Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) is the publicly traded parent of Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies, operating adjacent Defense Electronics, Aerospace & Industrial, and Naval & Power divisions. It is the corporate parent rather than a competitor, but provides context for benchmarking and capital allocation of the Surface Technologies division.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries10 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 Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies