Universal Thermal Services
Universal Thermal Services, founded 1999 in Manawa, Wisconsin, is an independent service provider that calibrates, repairs, and integrates thermal spray equipment from all major OEMs for industrial manufacturers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersManawa, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Universal Thermal Services does
Universal Thermal Services, Inc. is a privately held independent service provider founded in 1999 in Manawa, Wisconsin, specializing in the service, calibration, repair, and integration of industrial thermal spray equipment used in aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing coating applications. The company services equipment from all major thermal spray OEMs including Sulzer Metco, Oerlikon Metco, Praxair, Miller Thermal, Plasmadyne, EPI, Tafa, FST, JetKote, Thermach, and GTV, and explicitly maintains older or obsolete units that other providers refuse to service. Its technical depth is rooted in a combined 35+ years of experience from technicians previously employed at Sulzer, Tafa, Miller Thermal, and CTA in England.
The product and service portfolio spans four pillars: (1) N.I.S.T.-traceable calibration services delivered on-site or in-shop via an ISO 17025 partner; (2) repair and powder-feeder maintenance services with a recommended 40-80 hour inspection cycle; (3) new proprietary equipment under the PlasQuest brand including the 2100 Mass Flow Control, 2000 Gas Panel, HVOF Flow Panel, and vertical turntables; and (4) hardware upgrades, notably the Metco 7MC-to-9MC Flow Upgrade Module that retrofits legacy controllers to 2% accuracy and power supply modifications that compete against $35,000-$48,000 OEM replacements. Refurbished used equipment such as Metco 4MP and 9MP powder feeders with a 90-day parts warranty is also resold.
The business model is professional services and hardware sales executed through direct, quote-based engagement with industrial customers worldwide. Distribution is purely direct: phone, email, contact form, and on-site or shop-based delivery, with no third-party reseller channel. Marketing relies on the company website and ISNetworld contractor prequalification membership. Leadership is concentrated in founder/President Allen R. Hildebrand, Operations Manager Nick Albert, and Office Manager Deb Voelker. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding or parent entity, and relocated to a new facility in 2024 to accommodate future demand.
Universal Thermal Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Universal Thermal Services
- Legal name
- Universal Thermal Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://universalthermal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Universal Thermal Services, founded 1999 in Manawa, Wisconsin, is an independent service provider that calibrates, repairs, and integrates thermal spray equipment from all major OEMs for industrial manufacturers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Universal Thermal Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Thermal Spray Equipment Services
- NAICS
- Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994)
- SIC
- Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Heat Transfer Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Boilers, Condensers) (IMAHAEAC)
Keywords
Where Universal Thermal Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manawa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Universal Thermal Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technical Services Revenue: Revenue from providing on-site and shop-based technical services including troubleshooting, repairs, calibration, and training for thermal spray equipment.
- Equipment Sales (New and Used): Sales of new equipment (PlasQuest systems, turntables) and refurbished used equipment (Metco 4MP, 9MP powder feeders) with warranty coverage.
- Equipment Upgrades: Sales of upgrade modules such as the Metco 7MC to 9MC flow upgrade and power supply modifications to extend equipment lifespan.
- Calibration Services: N.I.S.T. traceable calibration services performed on-site or at the shop with certificate documentation provided.
- Integration Services: Production process integration services for new and used equipment including wiring corrections, schematic documentation, and device interface solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Equipment and Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Universal Thermal Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Universal Thermal Services provides independent technical services, N.I.S.T. traceable calibration, repairs, troubleshooting, and integration support for industrial thermal spray equipment from major OEMs (Sulzer Metco, Oerlikon Metco, Praxair, Miller Thermal, and others). The company also sells new thermal spray equipment (PlasQuest systems, turntables), refurbished used equipment (Metco 4MP, 9MP powder feeders), and proprietary hardware upgrades such as the Metco 7MC to 9MC Flow Upgrade Module.
Product overview
Universal Thermal Services provides a comprehensive portfolio of thermal spray industry services and equipment. The company operates as an independent service provider offering calibration, repairs, technical services, and upgrades for thermal spray equipment from all major manufacturers (Sulzer Metco, Oerlikon Metco, Praxair, Miller Thermal, and others). The product portfolio includes new equipment (PlasQuest thermal spray systems including the 2100 Mass Flow Control, 2000 Gas Panel, and HVOF Flow Panel; plus turntables), refurbished used equipment (Metco 4MP and 9MP feeders), and hardware upgrades (Metco 7MC to 9MC flow upgrades, power supply modifications). These products integrate with the company's core service offerings, where calibration services ensure N.I.S.T. traceability, repair services maintain equipment uptime, and integration services support production process optimization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Calibration Services N.I.S.T. traceable on-site and shop-based calibration services for thermal spray equipment from all major manufacturers including Sulzer Metco, Oerlikon Metco, Praxair, and others. Calibration is maintained to N.I.S.T. standards via an ISO 17025 certified local calibration house, with quality certificates provided.
- Repairs Evaluation, diagnosis, repair, and testing services for thermal spray and metalizing equipment from all major manufacturers including Sulzer Metco, Oerlikon Metco, Praxair, Miller Thermal, Plasmadyne, EPI, Tafa, FST, JetKote, Thermach, and GTV. The company continues to service equipment that others refuse to service, including older units.
- Technical Services Comprehensive technical support including troubleshooting, training, electrical and pneumatic services, phone support, coating services, system installations (booth erections, dust collectors, duct work, integration, run-off), equipment installation, and thermal coating consultation for industrial thermal spray customers.
- Integration Services Production process integration services for new and used thermal spray equipment, including wiring corrections, schematic documentation, and device-to-device interfacing solutions to support customer production lines.
- Powder Feeder Repair Services Specialized repair services for both rotary disc and fluidized bed powder feeders, including routine inspection and maintenance (recommended every 40-80 hours of operation), troubleshooting, component replacement, and quality testing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Calibration accuracy to within 2% using Metco 7MC to 9MC upgrade module
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Universal Thermal Services
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Universal Thermal Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Universal Thermal Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ISO 17025 Certified Calibration HousesupportingLocal calibration house certified to ISO 17025 requirements that maintains all Universal Thermal Services calibration equipment to N.I.S.T. standards.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Universal Thermal Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Oerlikon Metco: Major thermal spray equipment OEM (formerly Sulzer Metco) whose products UTS services. Comparable as a participant in the same thermal spray equipment ecosystem, though Oerlikon Metco is a much larger global manufacturer.
- Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies: Provider of surface treatment services including thermal spray coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. Comparable as a large-scale thermal spray service provider with broader geographic coverage.
- Bodycote: Global provider of thermal processing services including specialty coatings and surface treatments. Comparable as an industrial thermal processing service provider serving overlapping end markets.
- Saint-Gobain Coating Solutions: Diversified materials company with thermal spray coating products and equipment offerings. Comparable as a participant in the thermal spray industry with broader product portfolios.
- Praxair Surface Technologies (now Linde): Industrial coating services and thermal spray OEM whose equipment UTS services. Comparable as a major thermal spray equipment manufacturer and service provider operating at much larger scale.
Direct peers
- Flame Spray Technologies: Thermal spray equipment manufacturer (HVOF, plasma, flame spray systems) serving aerospace and industrial coating markets. Comparable as a thermal spray equipment specialist with overlapping product categories.
- Plasma Technology Incorporated: Thermal spray coating service provider offering plasma, HVOF, and flame spray applications to aerospace, medical, and industrial markets. Comparable as an independent thermal spray service provider competing for similar customer work.
- APS Materials: Provider of thermal spray coatings, equipment, and materials for aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. Comparable as an independent thermal spray service and equipment provider serving similar end markets.
- Miller Thermal (now part of Thermach): Thermal spray equipment manufacturer and service provider whose legacy systems UTS services. Comparable as a niche thermal spray OEM with overlapping service and equipment offerings.
- Thermach: Manufacturer of thermal spray equipment including plasma and HVOF systems, with related service offerings. Comparable as a thermal spray equipment specialist competing in similar product categories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Universal Thermal Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Universal Thermal Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Universal Thermal Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Universal Thermal Services 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 Universal Thermal Services
What does Universal Thermal Services do?
Universal Thermal Services provides independent technical services, N.I.S.T. traceable calibration, repairs, troubleshooting, and integration support for industrial thermal spray equipment from major OEMs (Sulzer Metco, Oerlikon Metco, Praxair, Miller Thermal, and others). The company also sells new thermal spray equipment (PlasQuest systems, turntables), refurbished used equipment (Metco 4MP, 9MP powder feeders), and proprietary hardware upgrades such as the Metco 7MC to 9MC Flow Upgrade Module.
Is Universal Thermal Services a public or private company?
Universal Thermal Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Universal Thermal Services founded?
Universal Thermal Services was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Universal Thermal Services based?
Universal Thermal Services is headquartered in Manawa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Universal Thermal Services make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Technical Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are equipment Sales (New and Used), equipment Upgrades, calibration Services and integration Services.
Who are Universal Thermal Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Oerlikon Metco, Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies, Bodycote, Saint-Gobain Coating Solutions and Praxair Surface Technologies (now Linde). Direct peers are Flame Spray Technologies, Plasma Technology Incorporated, APS Materials, Miller Thermal (now part of Thermach) and Thermach.
Does Universal Thermal Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Universal Thermal Services.
What industry is Universal Thermal Services in?
Universal Thermal Services's product category is Industrial Thermal Spray Equipment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAEAC, Heat Transfer Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Boilers, Condensers). Its NAICS code is 333994 and its SIC code is 3590.