Northern Composites

What Northern Composites does

Northern Composites, LLC is a U.S.-based specialty distributor and limited manufacturer of composite materials, founded in 1965 as Northern Fiber Glass, Inc. in South Hampton, New Hampshire. The company supplies vacuum bagging consumables, structural reinforcements, prepregs, surface treatments, release agents, tooling products, and process accessories to manufacturers in aerospace (approximately 55% of business), medical, marine, industrial, and sporting goods sectors. Since February 4, 2021, Northern has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Krayden, Inc., a Denver-based specialty chemicals distributor; following the acquisition, all employees were retained and operations continue at the Hampton, NH headquarters and the Greensboro, NC manufacturing facility.

The business combines a proprietary Northern Composites brand line of vacuum bagging consumables (including bagging films, release films, sealant tapes, breathers, bleeders, release fabrics, peel plies, pressure sensitive tapes, vacuum valves and hoses, and infusion media) with distribution of partner product lines including Hexcel HexForce reinforcements and HexPly prepregs, Henkel aerospace products (Frekote, Hysol, Turco, Alodine, P3), Mitsubishi prepregs and towpregs, BGF Industries woven reinforcements, PTM&W epoxy resin systems, Tacky Tape sealants, and Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing water-soluble mandrels. Northern also operates a CNC-based kitting service ("Northern Kits") that pre-cuts process materials for specific assembly applications, brought in-house via a Gerber CNC cutting table installed in March 2019. Distribution reach is provided by 60+ outside technical sales representatives through parent Krayden, with geographic coverage extended into Europe through AK Steel International (Netherlands, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and into Asia through Hypercoat Enterprises (Singapore).

Revenue is generated through hardware sales of both proprietary and distributed product lines, with quote-based pricing, 30-day payment terms, and same-day shipping available on in-stock items. Aerospace-relevant AS9120B, AS9100D, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications (valid through 2026) qualify the company for participation in aviation supply chains and are central to the value proposition. Technical sales staff with material engineering and chemistry expertise support customers on material selection and manufacturing process design under a sales-engineering go-to-market model.

Name

Northern Composites

Legal name

Northern Composites, LLC

Website

https://northerncomposites.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Northern Composites is a U.S. specialty distributor and manufacturer of vacuum bagging materials, prepregs, reinforcements, and surface treatments serving aerospace (55%), medical, marine, industrial, and sporting goods manufacturers, operating as a subsidiary of Krayden, Inc. since February 2021.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Composite Materials Distribution and Manufacturing

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (32619)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

FRP/GRP & Composite Materials (Resins, Fibers, Core Materials) (IMAJAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coated & Laminated Base Fabric Mills (Pre-finish Substrates) (IMAOABAI), Composite Structures & Layup Manufacturing (IMABAEAB)

Keywords

• Composite materials distribution
• Vacuum bagging materials
• Aerospace prepregs
• Structural reinforcements manufacturing
• Composite process consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Hampton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Composite Materials Distribution: Distribution of premium quality composite materials including process materials, prepregs, woven reinforcements, component resins, release agents, structural reinforcements, surface treatments, tooling products, and tools and accessories. Serves aerospace, marine, medical and diverse manufacturing segments.
2. Proprietary Manufacturing (Northern Brand): Manufacturing and kitting of Northern Composites branded vacuum bagging materials and accessories including bagging films, release films, sealant tapes, breathers, prepregs, peel plies. New kitting services for labor savings.
3. Technical Sales Support: Technical sales engineering services provided to customers for material selection and manufacturing process support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Northern Composites manufactures and distributes premium composite process and structural materials—including proprietary Northern-branded vacuum bagging consumables (films, release films, sealant tapes, breathers, peel plies, infusion media) and partner-brand products (Hexcel prepregs/reinforcements, Henkel release agents and adhesives, BGF woven reinforcements, PTM&W resins, Tacky Tape sealants, water-soluble mandrels). The company provides pre-kitted process materials using CNC cutting technology for aerospace, marine, medical, and industrial manufacturing customers.

Product overview

Northern Composites is a distributor and manufacturer of premium quality composite materials serving the aerospace, marine, medical, and industrial manufacturing sectors since 1965. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio combining proprietary Northern Composites branded vacuum bagging consumables (including bagging films, release films, sealant tapes, breathers, bleeders, release fabrics, peel plies, pressure sensitive tapes, vacuum valves/hoses, and infusion products) with partner brand products including Hexcel prepregs and reinforcements, Henkel Frekote release agents and Hysol adhesives, BGF Industries woven reinforcements, PTM&W elastomers and resins, Tacky Tape sealants, and Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing water soluble tooling materials. The company also offers kitting services using CNC cutting technology to pre-cut and assemble process materials for specific manufacturing projects. Northern Composites serves global markets through partnerships with AK Steel International in Europe and Hypercoat Enterprises in Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Northern Kits: Pre-kitted composite process materials for specific assembly manufacturing projects
• Northern Composites Pre-Pregs

Products and services

• Northern Composites Bagging Film High temperature co-extruded nylon and other bagging films for vacuum bagging operations used in composite manufacturing.
• Northern Composites Release Film Colored and clear, perforated and non-perforated FEP, ETFE, PMP, and PP release films for composite manufacturing.
• Northern Composites Sealant Tapes Vacuum bag sealant tapes from ambient to 800°F temperature ratings for composite manufacturing.
• Northern Composites Breathers & Bleeders High elongation non-woven bleeders and breathers for vacuum bagging operations.
• Northern Composites Release Fabrics Nylon, polyester, aramid and fiberglass release coated and TFE fabrics for composite manufacturing.
• Northern Composites Pressure Sensitive Tapes Flashtapes, TFE tapes, glass reinforced tapes, corehold and assembly tapes for composite manufacturing.
• Northern Composites Peel Plies Nylon, polyester, aramid and fiberglass peel plies, scoured and heat set or release treated, including the Value Ply family of 12 fabric options with super release lavender (SRL) and secret woven finish (SWF) configurations.
• Northern Composites Vacuum Valves, Hoses & Gauges Vacuum valves and vacuum/oven hoses, quick disconnects, and vacuum gauges for composite vacuum bagging operations.
• Northern Composites Vacuum Infusion Products Infusion media for VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding) processes.
• Northern Composites Fiberglass Tapes Tabbing cloth for composite tooling and edge breathers for high temperature autoclave vacuum bag molding.
• Northern Kits (Pre-Kitted Process Materials) Pre-kitted process materials for labor savings in manufacturing operations, using CNC cutting technology to assemble custom kits of vacuum bagging consumables for specific composite manufacturing projects.
• Hexcel HexForce Reinforcements and Prepregs Woven and unidirectional structural prepregs, film adhesives, core splice adhesives and Towpreg products from Hexcel including HexForce reinforcement fabrics (carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid), PrimeTex carbon fiber reinforcements, HexPly prepregs for industrial applications, and HexMC molding composites for aerospace and industrial applications.
• Henkel Aerospace Products Henkel/Loctite aerospace products including Frekote mold release agents, Hysol structural epoxy paste adhesives, specialty resins, primers, Turco surface treatments, Alodine conversion coatings, P3 cleaners, and Multan machining fluids.
• BGF Industries Woven Reinforcements Woven E-Glass, S-Glass, aramid, carbon fiber and hybrid reinforcements from BGF Industries for aerospace, protective, energy, marine, automotive and construction industries.
• PTM&W Elastomers and Resins Epoxy laminating, infusion, surface coat, casting and adhesive resin systems from PTM&W Industries for production composites, tooling, and rapid prototyping applications.
• Tacky Tape Vacuum Bag Sealants Vacuum bag sealants including SM5126, SM5127, SM5142, SM5160, SM5227, SM7191 in various temperature ratings up to 750°F.
• Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing Water-Soluble Mandrels Aquacore and Aquapour water soluble mandrel materials with service temperatures to 380°F+ for composite tooling applications.
• American Fiber & Finishing Products Wiping cloths, tack cloths, and industrial fabrics from American Fiber & Finishing for manufacturing applications.
• Precision Fabrics Group Peel Plies Nylon, polyester, and aramid peel plies with various finish options from Precision Fabrics Group for composite manufacturing.
• Towpreg Products Pre-impregnated reinforcement fibers including HMT301, HMT316, HMT317, HMT321, HMT321FR, HMT4030, HMT507, HMT5300, and HMT6600 for filament winding processes, including PAN Fiber, Pitch Fiber, epoxy prepregs, BMI prepregs, and Mitsubishi adhesive products.
• Component Resins Component resin products including EA 956, EA 9390, EA 9396, and EA 9396.C2 epoxy paste adhesives and component resins for composite manufacturing.
• Tools & Accessories Composite manufacturing tools and accessories including CB 350 press cured carbon fiber epoxy resin prepreg, PP shrink tape, ST-RESIN-DAM resin flow restrictor, thermocouple wire selection, VACTYTE 4025 thermocouple welder/tester, and VACTYTE F8 high performance thermocouple wire.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55% of business from aerospace sector
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Krayden, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2021Krayden, Inc., a leading distributor of specialty chemicals to aerospace, electronics, transportation and industrial sectors, acquired Northern Composites in February 2021. Northern Composites operates as a Krayden company with all employees staying on and existing facilities continuing to operate. Customers gain access to Krayden's product lines including Dow Silicones, Henkel Adhesives, Huntsman, and others.
• Hexcel CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHexcel is an official distributor partner providing HexForce reinforcement fabrics including carbon fiber, glass fiber, and aramid reinforcements. Also supplies HexPly prepregs for industrial applications and HexMC molding composites.
• Henkel (Loctite)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes Henkel aerospace products including Frekote mold release agents, Hysol structural epoxy adhesives, Turco surface treatments, Alodine conversion coatings, P3 cleaners, and Multan machining fluids.
• BGF IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes woven E-Glass, S-Glass, aramid, carbon fiber and hybrid reinforcements. BGF Industries manufactures woven and nonwoven fabrics from high performance fibers for aerospace, protective, energy, marine, automotive and construction industries.
• PTM&W IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes epoxy laminating, infusion, surface coat, casting and adhesive resin systems. PTM&W formulates and manufactures epoxy and polyurethane resin systems for production composites, composite tooling, production and rapid prototyping applications.
• Precision Fabrics GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes nylon, polyester and Kevlar peel plies and release fabrics. Precision Fabrics Group is a global innovator of engineered materials and technical fabrics providing woven and nonwoven solutions across high-performance industries.
• Advanced Ceramics ManufacturingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes Aquacore and Aquapour water soluble mandrel materials with service to 380°F+. Specializes in development and production of water soluble mandrels, composite parts, and ceramic components.
• American Fiber & FinishingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes wiping and cleaning cloths for all applications. American Fiber & Finishing is America's leading provider of light and medium weight woven industrial fabrics, privately-held company founded in 1986.
• AK Steel InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean distributor with subsidiaries across Europe including Netherlands (Breda), UK (Stevenage), Germany (Cologne), France (Suresnes), Italy (Genoa), and Spain (Barcelona). Provides faster delivery, more robust supply chain, greater customer support and local/regional presence for European customers.
• Hypercoat Enterprises PTE LTDsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAsian distributor based in Singapore serving Singapore and surrounding Asian markets. Contact at Lee Guan Hock, Snr Business Affairs Manager.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and CompositescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes Mitsubishi prepreg products including PAN Fiber, Pitch Fiber, epoxy prepregs, BMI prepregs, and Towpreg products. Also distributes Mitsubishi adhesive products and filament winding towpreg materials.
• Huntsman CorporationsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormerly Furane (now Huntsman), serves as sales representative for aerospace adhesives. Huntsman developed Reninfusion epoxy systems for infusion processes with low viscosity and long pot life for good wet-out of reinforcing materials.
• Tacky TapesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes Tacky Tape vacuum bag sealant products ranging from ambient to 800°F applications including SM5126, SM5127, SM5142, SM5160, SM5227, SM7191 and SM9151 variants.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Composites One: The largest North American distributor of composite materials and process supplies. Directly comparable to Northern as a multi-brand distributor serving aerospace, marine, transportation, and industrial customers with technical sales support.
• Krayden, Inc. Parent company of Northern Composites and a leading specialty chemicals distributor to aerospace, electronics, transportation, and industrial sectors. Directly comparable business model (technical sales-led distribution) and overlapping supplier/customer relationships.
• East Coast Fiberglass Supply: Regional US distributor of fiberglass, composite materials, and process supplies. Comparable to Northern as a smaller, technical-sales-led composites distributor serving marine, industrial, and aerospace-adjacent customers.
• Gurit: Global manufacturer and supplier of composite materials, including prepregs, core materials, and resins for wind, marine, and aerospace. Comparable product portfolio and customer overlap with Northern's prepreg and reinforcement offerings.
• ACP (Allred & Associates / Aerospace Composite Products): Distributor and converter of advanced composite materials and prepregs with strong technical sales focus. Comparable to Northern in serving aerospace and industrial customers with a curated multi-brand portfolio and kitting/process support.

Broad incumbents

• Hexcel Corporation: Major manufacturer of advanced composites (carbon fiber, prepregs, reinforcements) and a key supplier to Northern. Overlaps with Northern's portfolio as a global incumbent in aerospace composites; comparable end-market exposure though Hexcel is a manufacturer rather than a distributor.
• Toray Advanced Composites: Global supplier of thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials including prepregs and towpregs for aerospace, space, and industrial markets. Directly comparable product categories (prepregs, structural reinforcements) that overlap with Northern's distributed and proprietary lines.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites: Manufacturer of PAN and pitch-based carbon fibers, prepregs, BMI/epoxy systems, and towpregs supplied by Northern. Comparable as a major upstream composites material supplier with overlapping aerospace and industrial customer base.
• Solvay Composite Materials (Syensqo): Global supplier of specialty polymers, composite resins, and adhesives for aerospace and industrial markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing structural materials and adhesives used in the same composites manufacturing processes Northern supports.

Regional players

• Coast-Line International: Long-standing distributor of composite materials and process supplies primarily serving the US East Coast and broader Americas. Comparable distribution-led model with similar product categories (bagging materials, reinforcements, release products) and customer mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Northern Composites