What Hentzen Coatings does

Hentzen Coatings, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned specialty coatings manufacturer founded in 1923 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and now operated by the fourth generation of the Hentzen family. The company formulates and manufactures liquid and powder coatings for three primary end markets: commercial and military aerospace, defense/military ground vehicles, and general industrial applications. Product lines span primers, topcoats, specialty coatings, wood finishes, 2K aerosols, thinners and additives, supported by patented proprietary technologies including the first U.S. patented combat-grade Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC) in powder form (2015), a U.S. patented CARC water-reducible coating (2019), chrome-free primer technology, high edge build powder coatings, IR reflective polyurethane topcoats, and nano resin clear coat systems. The company holds AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications and maintains Qualified Products List (QPL) listings on multiple military specifications.

Hentzen operates 525,000 sq ft of combined manufacturing, laboratory, and warehouse space across facilities in Wisconsin (Milwaukee HQ plus a 120,000 sq ft powder plant opened in 2017), Illinois (Batavia, acquired from BASF in 2004), South Carolina (Greenville, acquired from Axon in 2010, with a new 48,000 sq ft expansion reaching full production in 2026), Mexico (Queretaro, 2013), China (Nanjing, 2019), and an India joint venture (Star Hentzen, Mumbai, 2010). The company sells through dedicated direct sales teams for Industrial, Defense, Commercial Aerospace, and Military Aircraft segments with a quote-based, custom-formulation pricing model. Its customer base spans defense primes (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Sikkorsky, Bell, Oshkosh), government entities (U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army), commercial aerospace operators (jetBlue, Avelo Airlines), and a long tail of branded industrial OEMs (Steinway, Taylor Guitars, PRS Guitars, Louisville Slugger, DW Drums, Cummins, Generac, Sub-Zero, Nordic Ware, Mercury Marine, Alumacraft).

Hentzen generates revenue through one-time purchases of custom-formulated coatings across its three core verticals, with no recurring subscription or licensing model disclosed. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Strategic priorities over the past decade have emphasized capacity expansion (Greenville, Milwaukee powder plant), geographic diversification (Mexico, China, India), and patented innovation in military-grade formulations. The company has been recognized as one of the Top 15 Coatings Manufacturers in North America and the largest privately-held coatings company, with a 70-year partnership with the U.S. Military and an unbroken four-generation family ownership structure.

Name

Hentzen Coatings

Legal name

Hentzen Coatings, Inc.

Website

https://hentzen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hentzen Coatings is a privately held, family-owned specialty coatings manufacturer producing liquid and powder coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers across North America, Mexico, China, and India, with patented CARC military formulations and AS9100D-certified production facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Powder Coatings (IMAEAGAE), Industrial Protective Coatings (IMAEAHAB), Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM), Metal Packaging Coatings & Linings (BPA-NI, Epoxy, Internal Coatings) (IMALADAK), Packaging & Can Coatings (IMAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Aerospace coatings
• Military coatings
• Powder coatings
• Liquid coatings
• Industrial coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 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. Custom Liquid Coatings: Manufacturing and sale of custom-formulated liquid coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. Includes primers, topcoats, specialty coatings, and wood finishes.
2. Powder Coatings: Manufacturing and sale of powder coatings including polyester, epoxy, hybrid, and specialty formulations like CARC powder coatings.
3. 2K Aerosols and Touch-up Kits: Two-component aerosol products and touch-up kits for OEM and Milspec repairs, featuring automated manufacturing for rapid fulfillment.
4. Thinners and Additives: Supporting chemical products including solvents, reducers, and accelerators formulated to military and aerospace specifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hentzen Coatings manufactures and sells custom-formulated liquid and powder coatings across Industrial, Defense, and Aerospace (commercial and military) segments. Products include primers, topcoats, Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC), 2K aerosols and touch-up kits, thinners, additives, and specialty wood and non-stick coatings manufactured to MilSpec and OEM specifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zen-Wood™: Industrial wood coatings including sealers, topcoats, varnishes, glazes, stains, dyes, lacquers and UV-curable coatings for wood flooring, furniture, musical instruments, boating and marine interiors, aircraft interiors.
• Zen-Tube™
• Dura-Zen®
• Zenthane®
• Poly-Zen™
• Epox-Zen™
• Ura-Zen™
• Aqua-Zen™
• Marine Shield™
• Sterilkote®
• Chroma-Zen™
• Endura-Zen™
• Opulence™
• Lubri-Zen™
• Therma-Zen™

Products and services

• Zen-Wood Industrial Wood Coatings Industrial wood coatings including sealers, topcoats, varnishes, glazes, stains, dyes, lacquers and UV-curable coatings designed to enhance and protect wood surfaces for flooring, furniture, musical instruments, boating and marine interiors, and aircraft interiors.
• Zen-Tube Tube and Pipe Coatings Corrosion-inhibiting coatings for metal tube and pipe exterior surfaces with instant curing and protection against chemicals and harsh environmental conditions, available in clear and vibrant color formulations for Electrical Metallic Tubing identification.
• Aqua-Zen Water-Based Coatings Water-based acrylic and latex coatings for marine applications including direct-to-metal DTM coatings for aluminum boats, architectural vinyl coatings, and interior metal/plastic coatings, all featuring low VOC and HAPS-free formulations.
• Marine Shield Fluoropolymer Powder Coatings Fluoropolymer-enhanced super durable powder coatings designed for above-waterline aluminum substrates in marine environments, providing superior gloss and color retention, outstanding weathering performance and filiform corrosion resistance.
• Marine Prime Specialty Powder Primer Specialty powder primer for aluminum castings designed to resist filiform corrosion in marine environments, used in conjunction with Marine Shield topcoats.
• Dura-Zen Polyester Powder Coatings Polyester/TGIC powder coatings available in standard durable, super durable and ultra-durable grades offering UV resistance, corrosion resistance and chemical resistance for agriculture, construction, recreation vehicles, automotive, fencing and general metal finishing applications.
• Poly-Zen Alkyd Enamel Coatings Fast-drying, high-gloss, single-component alkyd enamel coating for metal trailer applications, featuring 3.5 VOC compliance, excellent weathering, adhesion and corrosion resistance.
• Epox-Zen Two-Component Epoxy Primers Two-component epoxy primers available in low solids, medium solids and high solids formulations offering corrosion protection, chemical resistance, adhesion and topcoat hold-out for agricultural, construction and transportation applications.
• Ura-Zen Urethane Primers and Topcoats Urethane primers and topcoats including P (primer), ERP (extended recoatable primer), and AP (acrylic urethane topcoat) variants offering wet-on-wet spray capability, corrosion protection and outstanding weatherability for trucks, trailers and transportation equipment.
• Ura-Zen C57 Power and Telecom Coatings Semi-gloss or gloss HAPS-free, high solids polyurethane topcoats designed for pad and pole-mount enclosures, meeting IEEE-C57 performance requirements for power and telecommunication applications.
• Sterilkote Container Linings Interior container linings for metal drums and pails including phenolic, modified phenolic, epoxy phenolic and epoxy phenolic variants offering broad chemical resistance, FDA-approvable for food-grade and hazardous chemical applications.
• Chroma-Zen Bakeware and Cookware Exterior Coatings One- and two-coat decorative exterior coating systems for bakeware and cookware, offering scratch and mar resistance, easy-clean properties and vibrant color matching in environmentally-friendly formulations.
• Endura-Zen Non-Stick Interior Coatings Non-stick interior coating solutions available in one-, two- and three-coat systems, reinforced with high-quality materials, manufactured without PFOA, offering superior abrasion resistance and outstanding release properties for bakeware and cookware.
• Opulence Bakeware and Cookware Release Coatings Release coatings providing brilliant color and superior release properties for interior or exterior surfaces of metal bakeware and cookware, designed for elevated temperatures, abrasion resistant and HAPS-free.
• Aqua Zen Brilliance Water-Based Bakeware Coatings Water-based coatings providing brilliant color to exterior surfaces of aluminum bakeware and cookware, available in solid and mica colors, topcoatable with clear coat for enhanced appearance.
• Lubri-Zen Low-Friction Liquid Coatings Low-friction, non-stick liquid coatings protecting ferrous and non-ferrous substrates from prolonged heat, abrasion and chemical corrosion, designed for metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, titanium and magnesium.
• Therma-Zen Heat-Resistant Liquid Coatings Heat-resistant liquid coatings engineered to protect metallic substrates subjected to prolonged elevated temperatures from 400°F to 1400°F, delivering corrosion resistance, weathering properties and over-bake stability.
• Zenthane Polyurethane Defense Coatings (CARC) Brand of aliphatic polyurethane coatings used in Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC) for military applications, available in various formulations including Low Solar Absorbance (LSA) variants and Non-Skid walkway coatings.
• MIL-PRF-32348 Powder CARC Coatings Powder coating camouflage CARC systems for military applications, including Type I powder primer, Type II powder primer/interior topcoat and Type III powder CARC topcoat — the first and only US Patent awarded for combat grade CARC powder coatings.
• Commercial Aerospace Primers Commercial aerospace primers providing excellent adherence and base protection including chromate-free green epoxy primers, chromated epoxy primers, conductive epoxy primers, high-temperature coatings and polyurethane surfacer primers meeting OEM specifications and AS9100 standards.
• Commercial Aerospace Topcoats VOC-compliant, corrosion- and abrasion-resistant aerospace topcoats including epoxy topcoats, polyurethane gloss/semi-gloss/flat topcoats, high hide polyurethane topcoats, IR reflective topcoats, BC/CC systems, clearcoats, non-skid walkway coatings and waterborne interior cabin coatings.
• Commercial Aerospace Wood Coatings Wood finishes engineered for aircraft interiors meeting OSU flame retardancy requirements, including wood insulators, flexible polyester and polyurethane topcoats, and additives formulated for UV, chemical and dual cure systems.
• Military Aerospace Primers Military aircraft primers meeting MIL-PRF-85582 and MIL-PRF-23377 specifications including water-based chromated, fast dry, non-chrome, low IR and aerosol formulations providing fluid, chemical and corrosion resistance.
• Military Aerospace Topcoats (CARC Systems) Military aircraft topcoats meeting MIL-DTL-53039, MIL-DTL-64159, MIL-PRF-85285 and MIL-PRF-81352 specifications including CARC coatings with IR reflectance, camouflage finishes, decontamination properties and aerosol touch-up options.
• Military Aerospace Specialty Coatings Specialty military aerospace coatings including heat resistant paints (MIL-PRF-14105), non-skid walkway coatings (A-A-59166), wipe solvent cleaners (SR-40), reflective alert coatings and high solids polyurethane anti-chafe coatings (MIL-PRF-85285).
• 2K Aerosols and Touch-Up Kits Two-component aerosol products and touch-up kits for OEM and MilSpec repairs, featuring automated in-house manufacturing for rapid fulfillment, unrivaled lead times, and perfect color matching with the full performance of durable commercial and industrial-grade coatings.
• Thinners and Additives Supporting chemical products including solvents, reducers, and accelerators formulated to military and aerospace specifications for use with Hentzen primer and topcoat systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced maintenance cycles through durable, corrosion-resistant coatings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered acquisition, core and flagship.

• CrossLink Powder CoatingsacquisitionOthers · 1 January 2013Acquired CrossLink Powder Coatings including laboratory and production facilities in Clearwater, Florida.
• Star Hentzen Coatings Pvt. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Joint venture in Fort Mumbai, India formed to further position in aerospace and defense markets. Located at Crescent Chambers, 56 Tamarind Lane, Fort Mumbai 400001.
• Axon ProductsacquisitionOthers · 1 January 2010Acquired Axon Products in Greenville, South Carolina to broaden product lines in aerospace and specialty wood finishes. Later expanded with 48,000 sq ft facility.
• BASFacquisitionOthers · 1 January 2004Acquired BASF's coatings manufacturing and R&D facilities in Batavia, Illinois including SteriKote trademark for container and pipe coatings.
• Adheron Coatings Corp.acquisitionOthers · 1 January 2003Acquired Aerospace Products Division of Adheron Coatings Corp., Oak Forest, Illinois. Manufacturing and R&D transitioned to Hentzen Milwaukee facilities.
• U.S. Navy Blue AngelsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner providing all coatings for the Navy's first-class fighter-attack plane—the F/A-18E Super Hornet—in its iconic blue and yellow color scheme. Represents the company's aerospace excellence and brand visibility.
• U.S. Army Research LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive Development Partner with Army Research Lab driving innovation in military coating technology including CARC systems, chrome-free primers, and advanced formulations.
• U.S. Tank and Automotive CommandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive Development Partner developing coatings for tactical vehicles, addressing challenges like extreme shell temperatures and chemical warfare resistance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• PPG Industries: Global Fortune 500 coatings manufacturer with major aerospace (PPG Aerospace), industrial, and protective coatings divisions. Directly comparable as a much larger incumbent competing in the same MilSpec, aerospace, and industrial segments where Hentzen operates.
• Sherwin-Williams: World's largest coatings company with extensive industrial, aerospace, and protective coatings offerings. Competes with Hentzen in industrial liquid and powder coatings across virtually all of Hentzen's served segments.
• AkzoNobel: Global paints and coatings major with aerospace, marine, and industrial protective coatings divisions. Overlaps directly with Hentzen in aerospace primers/topcoats and powder coatings for industrial OEMs.

Direct peers

• Axalta Coating Systems: Global coatings company focused on refinish, industrial, and commercial vehicle coatings with powder coatings as a major line. Highly comparable product portfolio and target customer base, including industrial OEM and aerospace-adjacent applications.
• RPM International: Holding company for specialty coatings brands serving industrial, marine, and protective markets through subsidiaries. Comparable as a diversified specialty coatings platform targeting similar industrial and defense-adjacent customers.
• Hempel: Global coatings manufacturer with strong marine, protective, and industrial coatings portfolios. Overlaps directly with Hentzen's Marine Shield, Therma-Zen heat-resistant, and general industrial product lines.
• Jotun: Norway-based global coatings company with marine, protective, and powder coatings (Tiger Drylac) divisions. Comparable in marine powder, protective coatings, and international footprint that mirrors Hentzen's Asia-Pacific presence.
• TCI Powder Coatings: North American powder coatings manufacturer serving industrial, architectural, and specialty markets. Direct competitor in Hentzen's Dura-Zen polyester powder line and general industrial powder segment.

Emerging players

• IFS Coatings: Privately-held specialty powder coatings manufacturer focused on architectural, design, and industrial segments. Comparable as a privately-held mid-sized powder coatings competitor targeting similar industrial OEM customers.

Regional players

• Mader Group: Industrial coating applicator and manufacturer with strong presence in Europe, focused on corrosion protection for heavy industry. Comparable in industrial protective coatings technology and customer base, though geographically complementary rather than overlapping.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries7 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 Hentzen Coatings