What Mithieux does

Mithieux Metal Protect is a French industrial surface treatment specialist founded in 1937 and headquartered in Chamb\u00e9ry, Savoie, on the Geneva\u2013Grenoble\u2013Lyon\u2013Turin axis. The company operates a 6,000 m\u00b2 automated facility running 24/7 with 75 employees and offers electrolytic and chemical anti-corrosion coatings \u2014 Zinc, Zinc-Nickel, E-volution2 Tin-Zinc, Burnishing, Top Coat, and Degassing \u2014 for medium and large series production of metal components. Its flagship innovation, the E-volution2 tin-zinc electrolytic treatment co-developed with MacDermid Enthone, combines >1,000-hour salt spray resistance, silver-like electrical conductivity, and weldability, and is approved under Stellantis specification PS 8956 for automotive and electromobility connectors, fuses, and recharging components.

The company serves five end-markets: Automotive (primary), Electrical & Electronics (primary), Transportation & Mobility, Mechanical Construction, and Construction & Furnishing. GTM is B2B direct sales with quote-based pricing on multi-year industrial contracts; the firm also offers integrated R&D with an industrial pilot line (beta site), contract packaging and labeling, and daily logistics shuttles across the Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes region with a fleet of three heavy goods vehicles. Marketing mixes LinkedIn/YouTube presence with trade-show participation (Global Industrie, The Battery Show, Osez l'Industrie) and earned media in French industrial press.

Revenue is generated via per-project surface treatment services priced on quote; complementary revenue comes from integrated logistics (packaging, labeling, dedicated transport). The company is privately held by the third generation of the founding Mithieux family \u2014 Guillaume Mithieux (President & CFO/Strategy), Laurent Mithieux (Industrial Performance), with Jonathan Fhima as Managing Director \u2014 with no external equity investors but material non-dilutive support from the France 2030 plan (\u20ac800K grant) and regional authorities. Certification stack includes IATF 16949:2016, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 14001:2015. Recent strategic emphasis is on E-volution2 industrialization, the new T25 production line (Nov 2025), and export expansion via BPI France's Propulseur Export program targeting Europe, North America, and Asia.

Name

Mithieux

Legal name

Mithieux Metal Protect

Website

https://mithieux.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mithieux Metal Protect is a French industrial anti-corrosion surface treatment specialist founded in 1937, providing electrolytic zinc, zinc-nickel, and tin-zinc coatings for automotive, electrical, and mechanical-construction OEMs from its automated 6,000 m\u00b2 Chamb\u00e9ry facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Metal Surface Treatment Services

NAICS

Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281), Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives) (IMAEAKAK), Industrial Protective Coatings (IMAEAHAB)

Keywords

• Anti-corrosion surface treatment
• Metal coating services
• Electrolytic zinc treatment
• Zinc-nickel plating
• Industrial metal finishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Chambéry

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Surface Treatment Services: Industrial anticorrosion surface treatment services for metal components in medium and large series production runs. Services include zinc, zinc-nickel, tin-zinc treatments, burnishing, top coat finishes, and degassing. Pricing based on quote/projet basis.
2. Logistics Services: Integrated logistics including packaging, labeling, counting, and transport services. Daily shuttles in Rhône-Alpes region with fleet of heavy goods vehicles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mithieux Metal Protect provides industrial electrolytic and chemical anti-corrosion surface treatments for metal components in medium and large production series. Core treatments include Zinc, Zinc-Nickel, E-volution2 Tin-Zinc, and Chemical Burnishing, with complementary Top Coat and Degassing finishes. The company serves automotive, electrical, transportation, and mechanical construction clients from its automated 24/7 facility in Chambéry, France.

Product overview

Mithieux Metal Protect is an industrial company offering electrolytic and chemical anti-corrosion surface treatments for metal mechanical components in medium and large series. The core product portfolio includes four main treatment types: Zinc (economical process for moderate conditions), Zinc-Nickel (high corrosion/abrasion resistance for severe environments), E-volution2 Tin-Zinc (breakthrough innovation for electromobility combining anti-corrosion, electrical conductivity, and weldability), and Burnishing (temporary cosmetic protection). Complementary finishes include Top Coat (controlled friction coefficient) and Degassing (hydrogen embrittlement prevention). The company also provides integrated services including R&D with industrial pilot line, logistics with dedicated fleet, and express 48-hour troubleshooting. Production operates 24/7 on latest-generation automated lines at the 6,000 m2 Chambéry facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• E-volution2: Breakthrough tin-zinc anti-corrosion electrolytic treatment technology with high electrical conductivity and solderability properties, designed for electromobility applications

Products and services

• Zinc Anti-Corrosion Treatment Electrolytic zinc anti-corrosion treatment in alkaline cyanide-free medium, offering an economical process with excellent ductility of treated metals. Suitable for moderate operating conditions, processed on automated production lines for industrial customers.
• Zinc-Nickel Anti-Corrosion Treatment Co-deposition of zinc and nickel (12-15% nickel by mass) via electrolytic process in alkaline cyanide-free medium, providing >1,000 hours of salt spray resistance and high abrasion resistance (400-450 HV surface hardness). Designed for severe operating environments and compatible with aluminium and alloys, serving automotive and industrial fastener markets.
• E-volution2 Tin-Zinc Anti-Corrosion Treatment Breakthrough electrolytic tin-zinc co-deposit (65-85% tin by mass) offering a unique combination of anti-corrosion resistance (>1,000 hours salt spray), electrical conductivity comparable to silver (0.011 mOhm/inch²), and weldability. Co-developed with MacDermid Enthone, approved by Stellantis under specification PS 8956, designed for electromobility connectors, fuses, and recharging components.
• Burnishing Chemical Treatment Chemical burnishing treatment consisting of superficial oxidation of steel parts in alkaline medium without extra thickness. Delivers temporary black cosmetic protection with a <1 micron oxide layer; a stainless steel variant is available with 1.5-2.5 micron thickness on the automatic line.
• Top Coat Finishes Quenching/centrifugation top coat process applied to zinc or zinc-nickel treated parts to confer a controlled coefficient of friction suited for automatic screwing of fasteners and provide additional corrosion resistance.
• Degassing Finishes Electrolytic dehydrogenation (degassing) treatment performed in ovens to minimize hydrogen embrittlement risk after zinc and zinc-nickel deposits, operating 24/7 with computerized traceability for high-strength fastener and safety component applications.
• Research & Development Services Integrated R&D services including salt spray, adhesion, roughness, and Fluo-X tests, along with feasibility studies and PPAP documentation, delivered through a dedicated industrial pilot (beta) site to support customer qualification of surface treatments.
• Integrated Logistics Services Integrated logistics service offering contract packaging, labeling, and counting plus daily shuttle transport in the Rhône-Alpes region with a fleet of 19 ton, 26 ton, and semi-trailer heavy goods vehicles.
• Express Troubleshooting Service Urgent express service enabling completion of surface treatment orders within 48 hours under certain conditions for time-critical customer requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• >1000 hours salt spray resistance for E-volution2 and zinc-nickel treatments
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UITS (Union des Industries des Technologies de Surface)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association for surface technology companies. Jonathan Fhima serves as President of UITS. Mithieux participates in association activities and promotional videos.
• FIM (Fédération des Industries Mécaniques)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial federation grouping 24 professional unions in the mechanical field. Mithieux is a member and Jonathan Fhima serves as FIM Administrator.
• UIMM (Union des Industries et Métiers de la Métallurgie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench employers' federation in metallurgy. Mithieux participates in UIMM Savoie events including Osez l'Industrie forum.
• MacDermid Enthone Industrial SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationHistorical partner for co-development of E-volution2 tin-zinc treatment technology. International formulator specializing in industrial finishing chemicals. 18 months of joint R&D leading to breakthrough coating technology.
• METHODEminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService provider for internal ERP digitization project. Partnered for digitalization of planning, documentation, location management, and TS line tracking.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pioneer Metal Finishing: US-headquartered metal finishing services company with multiple facilities providing zinc, zinc-nickel, tin, and other electrolytic coatings to automotive and industrial OEMs. Comparable contract service model, customer mix, and process portfolio.
• Valence Surface Technologies: US-based contract metal finishing provider offering zinc-nickel, cadmium, and other anti-corrosion coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. Comparable as a specialty electroplating job shop serving regulated industries with quote-based B2B pricing.
• Technic Inc: Specialty chemical formulator and metal finishing services provider offering proprietary plating chemistries (including tin-zinc and zinc-nickel) for electronics and industrial applications. Comparable as both chemistry developer and applicator, with overlap in tin-zinc chemistry innovation.
• Dixon's Metal Finishing: Independent UK-based contract metal finisher offering zinc, zinc-nickel, and tin coatings for automotive and industrial fastener markets. Comparable niche-focused job shop with similar customer mix and process portfolio.
• Interplex: Global provider of precision metal components and surface treatment services, including anti-corrosion coatings, serving automotive, EV, and industrial markets. Comparable business model combining metal processing, finishing, and assembly for tier-1 customers.

Broad incumbents

• Atotech (MKS Instruments): Major global supplier of electroplating chemistry now part of MKS Instruments, serving automotive, electronics, and industrial customers with zinc, zinc-nickel, and tin-zinc processes. Comparable as a competing chemistry supplier and indirect competitor to Mithieux's in-house treatment services.
• Bodycote: Global leader in thermal processing and surface treatment services with hundreds of facilities worldwide. Comparable as a contract metal finisher serving automotive and industrial OEMs, but operates at vastly greater scale and breadth than Mithieux's niche in electrolytic anti-corrosion coatings.
• Aalberts Surface Treatment: Division of Aalberts Industries operating a European network of surface treatment facilities offering zinc, zinc-nickel, and other electrolytic finishes. Directly comparable electrolytic coating portfolio serving automotive and industrial fastener customers, but multi-site and corporate-backed versus Mithieux's single French site.
• Element Solutions (MacDermid Enthone parent): Global specialty chemicals company owning MacDermid Enthone — Mithieux's E-volution2 co-development partner. Comparable as the formulator and licensor of the underlying tin-zinc chemistry, and a strategic counterpart whose priorities shape Mithieux's access to breakthrough processes.

Emerging players

• Coventya (now part of Element Solutions): Specialty electroplating chemistry supplier (acquired by Element Solutions) focused on zinc and zinc-alloy coatings for automotive and fastener markets. Comparable chemistry overlap with Mithieux's zinc-nickel processes and shared customer base in automotive OEMs.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChf9cdvKy0JyvrcVqSMlPxQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mithieux

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Mithieux