PACE Technologies
PACE Technologies is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer of precision metallographic sample preparation equipment, consumables, and support services serving materials-science labs in aerospace, automotive, medical device, semiconductor, and electronics sectors across 50+ countries from Tucson, Arizona.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersTucson, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PACE Technologies does
PACE Technologies Corporation is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer of metallographic sample preparation equipment, consumables, and related services, founded in 1997 in Tucson, Arizona by Dr. Donald Zipperian, a PhD materials scientist. The company's product portfolio covers the full metallographic workflow — abrasive sectioning cutters, precision wafering saws, compression and castable mounting presses (hydraulic, pneumatic, vacuum, pressure, and UV-curing), grinder-polisher bases and semi-automated heads, vibratory polishers, metallurgical and stereo microscopes, image analysis software, and microhardness/Rockwell/Brinell-Vickers testers — along with a comprehensive consumables line (sectioning blades, mounting resins, SiC papers, diamond compounds, polishing pads, etchants) sold through shop.metallographic.com. Differentiated proprietary platforms include the NFZ integrated grinding/polishing system, the ATTO-1000S metered-removal polisher, the GIGA-S PZT-driven vibratory polisher, and the TeraUV UV curing system.
The business model combines equipment sales (quote-based, with a 2-year warranty) and recurring consumables (e-commerce, unit pricing), supplemented by professional services delivered via KeepPACE preventative maintenance plans, on-site training, lab consulting, and bespoke service engagements. PACE sells primarily to enterprise metallography labs in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, semiconductor, and electronics, with secondary demand from universities and government research labs; named accounts include Apple, Tesla, Medtronic, Seagate, Blue Origin, and AVX. Distribution is via direct sales internationally combined with an e-commerce storefront for consumables, and the company actively exhibits at major materials-science trade shows (IMTS, SAMPE, MS&T, ISTFA, SEMICON West, IMAT, RAPID+TCT). The company also extends into software with the Materials Prep ELN (an electronic lab notebook for metallography) and a suite of online calculators (grit size, grain size, mold compatibility, mounting material, Lab Builder). Headcount is reported at 1–10 employees, no external funding rounds or institutional investors are disclosed, and revenue figures are not publicly reported.
PACE Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PACE Technologies
- Legal name
- PACE Technologies Corporation
- Website
- https://metallographic.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PACE Technologies is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer of precision metallographic sample preparation equipment, consumables, and support services serving materials-science labs in aerospace, automotive, medical device, semiconductor, and electronics sectors across 50+ countries from Tucson, Arizona.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PACE Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metallographic Sample Preparation Equipment
- NAICS
- Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335), Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216)
- SIC
- Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Saws & Cutting Systems (Band/Circular Saws, Abrasive Cutting) (IMAHADAL), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
Keywords
Where PACE Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tucson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PACE Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Equipment Sales: Sale of metallographic equipment including abrasive cutters, precision wafering saws, mounting presses, grinder-polishers, hardness testers, and microscopes. Equipment sales are the primary revenue driver with 2-year warranty coverage.
- Consumables Sales: Recurring sales of sectioning blades, mounting compounds, grinding papers, diamond compounds, polishing pads, etchants, and other consumables. Consumables are available through the online shop at shop.metallographic.com.
- Professional Services: On-site training, lab consulting, and equipment repairs delivered by PACE technicians. Includes KeepPACE preventative maintenance plans and extended warranties.
- Custom Service Engagements: Bespoke service engagements tailored to customer team workflows, sample volume, and equipment mix.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equipment (quote-based) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumables (e-commerce) |
| Subscription | Annual | KeepPACE Service Plans |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
PACE Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PACE Technologies manufactures and sells precision metallographic sample preparation equipment — including abrasive cutters, precision wafering saws, compression and castable mounting presses, grinder-polishers, vibratory polishers, hardness testers, and metallurgical microscopes — alongside a comprehensive line of consumables (sectioning blades, mounting compounds, grinding abrasives, diamond polishing compounds, polishing cloths, etchants) and supporting software and service offerings for materials science and metallography laboratories.
Product overview
PACE Technologies is a metallographic sample preparation company offering a unified portfolio of precision equipment, consumables, software tools, and professional services for materials science and metallography laboratories. The equipment lineup centers on automated and manual sample preparation systems including abrasive sectioning cutters (MEGA-T300A), precision wafering saws (PICO-155S), compression and castable mounting systems (TP-7500S/7100S hydraulic/pneumatic presses, TeraVac/TeraVac Pro vacuum systems, TeraComp pressure system, TeraUV UV curing), grinding and polishing systems (NANO grinder-polisher bases, FEMTO semi-auto polishing heads, ZETA automated abrasive dispenser, RC recirculating filter, NFZ integrated system, ATTO-1000S metered removal polisher, GIGA-S vibratory polisher, PENTA hand/belt grinders), metallurgical and stereo microscopes, image analysis software, and hardness testers (microhardness, Rockwell, Brinell/MacroVickers). These are complemented by a full range of consumables (sectioning blades, mounting compounds, grinding papers, polishing pads, diamond compounds, etchants) and software tools including the Materials Prep ELN electronic lab notebook and calculators (Grit Size Converter, Grain Size Calculator, Mold Compatibility Checker, Mounting Material Calculator, Lab Builder). Professional services include KeepPACE preventative maintenance plans and lab consultation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Materials Prep ELN: An electronic lab notebook built for metallography. Logs samples, recipes, and micrographs in one place for repeatable prep across operators and shifts. Vendor-neutral design.
- KeepPACE
Quantifiable outcome
- Serving labs in 50+ countries worldwide
Companies that use PACE Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PACE Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
PACE Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
PACE Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Buehler (ITW): Buehler, a division of Illinois Tool Works, is the global market leader in metallographic sample preparation equipment and consumables. It directly overlaps PACE across abrasive cutters, mounting presses, grinder-polishers, hardness testers, microscopy, and consumables, serving the same aerospace, automotive, and metallography lab end markets.
- Struers: Struers is a leading European-based manufacturer of metallographic equipment and consumables, offering cutters, mounting presses, grinding/polishing systems, and hardness testers. It competes head-to-head with PACE in the same metallography workflow and overlapping end markets.
- Allied High Tech Products: Allied High Tech Products manufactures metallographic sample preparation equipment and consumables, including precision cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing, and lapping products. Its product portfolio and target customers directly overlap PACE's offerings in metallography labs.
- LECO Corporation: LECO manufactures analytical and metallographic instruments including hardness testers, microscopes, and sample preparation equipment. It serves overlapping metallography and materials science labs in metals, aerospace, and research, complementing PACE's equipment and consumables.
- PRESI: PRESI is a French manufacturer of metallographic equipment and consumables offering cutting, mounting, grinding, and polishing systems. It is a direct niche competitor to PACE in metallographic sample preparation across global lab markets.
- Metkon: Metkon manufactures metallographic sample preparation equipment and consumables, including precision cutters, mounting presses, and grinder-polishers. It directly competes with PACE in the same lab workflow and end-customer verticals.
- ATM GmbH: ATM GmbH is a German manufacturer of materials science and metallographic preparation equipment, with a portfolio spanning cutting, mounting, grinding, and polishing. It competes with PACE in the global metallography lab equipment market.
- Kemet International: Kemet International produces metallographic consumables and equipment, including diamond polishing products, lapping, and polishing systems. It overlaps with PACE on consumables, polishing, and sample preparation consumables for metallography labs.
Broad incumbents
- Illinois Tool Works (ITW): ITW is the diversified industrial parent of Buehler and operates across numerous industrial and test/measurement categories. As the corporate parent of PACE's largest direct competitor, ITW's scale and capital allocation power set the competitive ceiling for PACE's metallography business.
- Carl Zeiss: Carl Zeiss manufactures industrial and research microscopes used in metallography and materials science, overlapping with PACE's microscopy and image analysis product lines. As a much larger broad-line optics and microscopy player, it represents an adjacent incumbent where PACE competes on the analytical end of the metallography workflow.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PACE Technologies social profiles
Digital presencePACE Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PACE Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
PACE Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PACE Technologies 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 PACE Technologies
What does PACE Technologies do?
PACE Technologies manufactures and sells precision metallographic sample preparation equipment — including abrasive cutters, precision wafering saws, compression and castable mounting presses, grinder-polishers, vibratory polishers, hardness testers, and metallurgical microscopes — alongside a comprehensive line of consumables (sectioning blades, mounting compounds, grinding abrasives, diamond polishing compounds, polishing cloths, etchants) and supporting software and service offerings for materials science and metallography laboratories.
Is PACE Technologies a public or private company?
PACE Technologies is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was PACE Technologies founded?
PACE Technologies was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PACE Technologies based?
PACE Technologies is headquartered in Tucson, United States, in the North America region.
How does PACE Technologies make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are consumables Sales, professional Services and custom Service Engagements.
Who are PACE Technologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Buehler (ITW), Struers, Allied High Tech Products, LECO Corporation, PRESI, Metkon, ATM GmbH and Kemet International. Broad incumbents are Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and Carl Zeiss.
Does PACE Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for PACE Technologies.
What industry is PACE Technologies in?
PACE Technologies's product category is Metallographic Sample Preparation Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAB, Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures), with a secondary code of IMAHADAL, Industrial Saws & Cutting Systems (Band/Circular Saws, Abrasive Cutting). Its NAICS code is 3335 and its SIC code is 3540.