Cerakote
Cerakote is a NIC Industries division that develops and manufactures thin-film ceramic polymer coatings across E, F, H, C, and V series, serving automotive, firearms, aerospace, defense, marine, medical, and consumer markets through direct e-commerce, a global certified applicator network, and OEM partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersWhite City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cerakote does
Cerakote is a division of NIC Industries, founded in 1984 and headquartered in White City, Oregon, that develops and manufactures thin-film ceramic polymer coatings sold under the registered Cerakote brand. The company's core technology is a proprietary ceramic-polymer chemistry deployed across multiple product series: E Series (Elite oven cure, highest-performance), F Series (PFAS-Free fast-cure oven coatings, 15-minute cure at 250°F), H Series (oven cure, 100+ colors), C Series (air cure up to 1,800°F), V Series (oven cure, up to 1,700°F), Performance Clears, and specialty coatings including DFL-200 Dry Film Lubricant, Gen II NIR Signature Management, and LR-200 Ultra-Low Reflective Coating. Documented performance includes 330x corrosion protection versus PVD, 4,000+ hour salt fog resistance, 9H pencil hardness, 5B adhesion rating, 160 inch-lbs impact strength, Delta E ≤1 color consistency, and weight reductions of 80–100 grams versus powder coat on bicycle frames.
The company sells through four channels: direct e-commerce at cerakote.com (coatings, kits, swatch sets, equipment, apparel), a global certified applicator network searchable via Find Applicator, authorized international distributors across eight countries (UK, Germany, Austria, Sweden, France, Hong Kong, Canada, Brazil) with satellite training facilities, and direct B2B OEM engagement including expedited and on-site training for high-volume manufacturers. Revenue is generated from one-time product sales (4oz bottles standardized at $35; Pro Kits ranging from $450 to $1,695), recurring consumables through certified applicators (who receive 30% off 4oz bottles and 20% off equipment), certified applicator training ($2,500 per person, with volume discounts), specialized Laser Imaging training, custom color blending via Mixology, and branded merchandise. Named customers span firearms (Sig Sauer, Glock, Canik, Daniel Defense, Ruger, Beretta, CZ), aerospace and space (Fisher Space Pen with Axiom Space, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Virgin Galactic partnerships), golf (Scotty Cameron), fishing (PENN, OKUMA), and adjacent verticals including automotive, marine, medical devices, oil and gas, 3D printing, bicycles, archery, kitchen and bath, fitness equipment, electronics, and restoration. The company holds ASTM compliance certifications (D610, D3363, D3359, D2794), VOC compliance across all 50 states, PFAS-Free certification on F Series and DFL-200, and an ATF ruling classifying application as a gunsmithing activity.
Cerakote firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cerakote
- Legal name
- NIC Industries
- Website
- https://cerakote.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Cerakote is a NIC Industries division that develops and manufactures thin-film ceramic polymer coatings across E, F, H, C, and V series, serving automotive, firearms, aerospace, defense, marine, medical, and consumer markets through direct e-commerce, a global certified applicator network, and OEM partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cerakote industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Ceramic Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)
Keywords
Where Cerakote is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- White City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cerakote business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Coating Products Sales: Direct sales of ceramic coating products in various series (E, F, H, C, V) to consumers, applicators, and manufacturers. Individual coatings priced at $35.00/ea with various kit configurations available.
- Starter and Pro Kits: Pre-configured kits for beginners (starter kits $179.95-$199.95) and professionals (pro kits $450-$1,695) containing coatings and essential application equipment.
- Swatch Sets and Samples: Color swatch sets for customers to evaluate finishes before bulk purchase, ranging from $21.80 to $449.95 depending on set size and coverage.
- Training and Certification: Revenue from certified applicator training programs at $2,500 per person, with discounts for multiple attendees ($4,400 for two, $5,700 for three). Includes benefits like free shipping and equipment discounts.
- Laser Imaging Training: Specialized two-day laser imaging training for certified applicators to learn the proprietary Cerakote Laser Imaging process and multi-layer ablation techniques.
- Apparel and Merchandise: Branded merchandise including apparel ($19.95-$49.95), stickers ($3.00), and accessories for customer engagement and brand building.
- Application Equipment: Sales of application equipment including spray guns, curing equipment, masking supplies, mixing tools, and laser fixtures for Glock, SIG Sauer, and 1911 platforms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Coatings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Starter Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Swatch Sets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Certified Applicator Training |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel and Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Cerakote product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cerakote manufactures and sells a portfolio of thin-film ceramic polymer coatings across multiple product series (E, F, H, C, V) for firearms, automotive, aerospace, defense, marine, and industrial applications. The company also sells application equipment, starter and pro kits, swatch sets, branded apparel, and provides certified applicator training and laser imaging training programs through direct e-commerce, certified applicator network, and OEM direct sales channels.
Product overview
Cerakote is a global leader in thin-film ceramic coating technology, offering a comprehensive portfolio of coating products and services. The core product lineup consists of multiple ceramic coating series: F Series (PFAS-Free, fast-cure oven coatings), E Series/Elite (highest-performance oven cure), H Series (over 100 colors, flexible ceramic-polymer), C Series (high-temp air cure up to 1800°F), V Series (ultra-high temp up to 1700°F), Performance Clears, and Specialty Coatings (including Super Grip, NIR signature management, dielectric coatings). Supporting products include the DFL-200 Dry Film Lubricant (PFAS-Free), Swatch Sets for color preview, Starter Kits and Pro Kits for different experience levels, Mixology custom color blending service, application equipment, and Auto Care consumer products. The company also provides certified applicator training, laser imaging training, and operates a Project Gallery community platform. Signature Management products like Gen II NIR and LR-200 serve aerospace and defense applications. Cerakote serves industries including automotive, firearms, aerospace, archery, bicycles, defense, electronics/audio, fishing, fitness equipment, industrial/oil & gas, kitchen & bath, marine, medical devices, and 3D printing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cerakote: World leader in thin-film ceramic coating technology providing high-performance coatings for automotive, firearms, aerospace, and industrial applications.
- Cerakote Mixology
- Cerakote Laser Imaging
- Cerakote Signature Management
Products and services
- F Series - Oven Cure Coatings PFAS-Free ceramic-polymer thin film coatings that cure in 15 minutes at 250°F, engineered for manufacturing and high-volume production with unmatched corrosion, chemical, and durability performance. Common uses include automotive, firearms, aerospace, knives, eyewear, consumer electronics, wearables, and saltwater applications.
- E Series (Elite) - Oven Cure Coatings
Quantifiable outcome
- 330x corrosion protection compared to PVD in salt chamber testing, exceeding military standards by over 40x
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Cerakote
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments14 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Cerakote technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature9 records
Cerakote partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.
- Fisher Space PennotableFisher Space Pen selected Cerakote's Graphite Black coating for their AG7 Space Pen featuring Gold Titanium Nitride accents. The pen was originally designed for NASA's Apollo missions and is engineered for extreme conditions. Fisher Space Pen partners with Axiom Space, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic for aerospace applications.
- NIC IndustriescoreNIC Industries is the parent company of Cerakote and operates from headquarters in White City, Oregon. Cerakote.com and all Cerakote operations are part of NIC Industries.
- Prismatic PowdersminorRelated NIC Industries brand focused on powder coatings, cross-referenced in Cerakote footer as another division under the same parent company.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cerakote competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Line-X: Line-X is a spray-on protective coatings franchise specializing in truck bedliners and industrial coatings with a certified-applicator network model. It is comparable to Cerakote in business model (proprietary coating + certified applicator franchise serving automotive, industrial, and consumer markets).
- Rhino Linings: Rhino Linings is a global spray-on protective coatings company with a similar franchise/applicator model and customer base in automotive, industrial, and defense. It competes for the same protective-coating applications where Cerakote positions itself for impact and abrasion resistance.
- Prismatic Powders: Prismatic Powders is a sister brand of Cerakote under NIC Industries, focused on powder coatings. It is the most directly comparable peer because it shares parent ownership, customer overlap, and competes for the same firearms/automotive/industrial finishing spend, differing primarily in application technology (powder vs. thin-film ceramic).
Broad incumbents
- Axalta Coating Systems: Axalta is a global performance and transportation coatings company with strong presence in automotive refinish and industrial coatings. Its product range and global distribution make it a direct broad-incumbent comparator for Cerakote's automotive and industrial segments.
- Hempel: Hempel is a global protective and marine coatings specialist serving oil & gas, marine, and industrial customers. It is comparable to Cerakote as an incumbent in corrosion-protection coatings for marine, oil & gas, and heavy industrial end markets.
- Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin-Williams is the largest U.S. paints and coatings company, with a substantial industrial and protective coatings business. It competes with Cerakote at the architectural/industrial interface and is a key broad-incumbent comparator for any premium thin-film push into larger commercial accounts.
- PPG Industries: PPG is a global paints and coatings incumbent with a large industrial and protective coatings portfolio that overlaps with Cerakote in automotive, aerospace, and industrial finishing. As a much larger player with broader distribution, PPG is the principal broad-incumbent threat Cerakote faces as the thin-film ceramic category scales.
- AkzoNobel: AkzoNobel is a major global paints and coatings manufacturer with industrial, automotive, and specialty coatings lines. It is a relevant broad-incumbent peer given Cerakote's international expansion (UK, Germany, Sweden, France) where AkzoNobel has dominant distribution.
- DuPont (Specialty Coatings): DuPont's specialty coatings portfolio includes industrial protective and high-performance coatings serving aerospace, automotive, and electronics. It is a relevant broad-incumbent peer given overlap with Cerakote's aerospace, electronics/audio, and automotive OEM customers.
Emerging players
- Whitford Corporation (PPG): Whitford, now part of PPG, manufactures fluoropolymer and high-performance coatings (including Xylan, which Cerakote benchmarks against). It is an emerging/adjacent competitor Cerakote explicitly differentiates against in its marketing materials on salt-fog corrosion performance.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cerakote social profiles
Digital presenceCerakote compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Cerakote financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cerakote leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cerakote funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cerakote 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 Cerakote
What does Cerakote do?
Cerakote manufactures and sells a portfolio of thin-film ceramic polymer coatings across multiple product series (E, F, H, C, V) for firearms, automotive, aerospace, defense, marine, and industrial applications. The company also sells application equipment, starter and pro kits, swatch sets, branded apparel, and provides certified applicator training and laser imaging training programs through direct e-commerce, certified applicator network, and OEM direct sales channels.
Is Cerakote a public or private company?
Cerakote is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Cerakote founded?
Cerakote was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Cerakote based?
Cerakote is headquartered in White City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cerakote make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Coating Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are starter and Pro Kits, swatch Sets and Samples, training and Certification, laser Imaging Training, apparel and Merchandise and application Equipment.
Who are Cerakote's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Line-X, Rhino Linings and Prismatic Powders. Broad incumbents are Axalta Coating Systems, Hempel, Sherwin-Williams, PPG Industries, AkzoNobel and DuPont (Specialty Coatings). Whitford Corporation (PPG) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Cerakote have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cerakote.
What industry is Cerakote in?
Cerakote's product category is Specialty Ceramic Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAGAB, Industrial & Protective Coatings. Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2851.