PFINDER NDT
PFINDER is a family-owned German specialty chemicals manufacturer (founded 1884) producing proprietary corrosion protection coatings, waxes, and cleaners for global automotive OEMs, Tier suppliers, and industrial customers across production sites in Germany, Mexico, the USA, and Shanghai.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1884
- HeadquartersBöblingen, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PFINDER NDT does
PFINDER KG is a family-owned German specialty chemicals manufacturer headquartered in Böblingen, founded in 1884, that develops, produces, and applies corrosion protection systems for metal surfaces. Its core products comprise wax-based underbody and cavity protection coatings (AP-CORR), stone chip and surface coatings (AP-COAT), temporary transport and storage protection (AP-SKIN), and industrial cleaners (AP-PURE). The firm's chemistry is reported to be present in every second factory-corrosion-protected vehicle globally, reflecting deep penetration of automotive OEM and Tier 1/2 supplier qualification cycles.
The company differentiates on chemistry and engineering rather than price: proprietary self-healing wax technology, creeping-flow formulations for closed-profile cavity protection, water-based pictogram-free systems, and an in-house 3D CAD-based simulation capability combined with proprietary nozzle design. PFINDER operates production facilities in Germany, Mexico, and the United States, plus a sales office in Shanghai, and holds ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and TISAX certifications.
Revenue is generated primarily through direct enterprise sales of validated corrosion protection products to automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers, supplemented by engineering services (process consulting, simulation, nozzle development), industrial distribution into agricultural/construction equipment and port logistics, and a B2B e-commerce channel (PFINDER Selection) for aftermarket and small-quantity buyers. The business is privately held as a Kommanditgesellschaft (limited partnership) led by two Managing Directors, with no external parent or private equity sponsor disclosed.
PFINDER NDT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PFINDER NDT
- Legal name
- PFINDER KG
- Website
- https://pfinder.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1884
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PFINDER is a family-owned German specialty chemicals manufacturer (founded 1884) producing proprietary corrosion protection coatings, waxes, and cleaners for global automotive OEMs, Tier suppliers, and industrial customers across production sites in Germany, Mexico, the USA, and Shanghai.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PFINDER NDT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial corrosion protection coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Adhesives & Sealants (2891)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Protective Coatings (Steel/Concrete/Equipment) (IMAIAKAB), Corrosion Control & Asset Integrity Services (Cathodic Protection/Coatings QA) (IMAIACAK), pH Control, Antiscalants & Corrosion Inhibitors (IMAEAJAN)
Keywords
Where PFINDER NDT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Böblingen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
PFINDER NDT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Corrosion Protection Products OEM: Customized corrosion protection products for automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers including underbody protection, cavity sealing, and surface coatings. Products validated through rigorous OEM approval processes.
- Industrial and Aftermarket Products: Premium products for industrial applications, port terminals, agricultural and construction equipment, and after-sales/retail environments. Available in container sizes optimally tailored to specific applications.
- B2B E-commerce (PFINDER Selection): Online store for smaller container sizes up to 60 kg for flexible quantities, single applications, or small production runs.
- Engineering Services: Process consulting, simulation, product development, and production integration support for customized corrosion protection solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PFINDER Selection - Small Containers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
PFINDER NDT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PFINDER develops, produces, and optimizes corrosion protection systems — including underbody coatings, cavity sealants, stone-chip and varnish-like coatings, temporary transport/storage protectants, and industrial cleaners — for the automotive industry and adjacent industrial sectors. The company pairs its chemical products with engineering services (process consulting, CAD-based spray simulation, custom nozzle design, and production integration) to deliver validated, OEM-approved corrosion protection solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PFINDER Selection: Corrosion protection products available in small containers up to 60 kg for flexible quantities, single applications, or small production runs.
- AP-CORR
- AP-COAT
- AP-SKIN
- AP-PURE
Products and services
- AP-CORR (cavity and underbody protection) Wax-based cavity sealants and underbody protection coatings with proprietary self-healing properties that automatically seal cracks in the coating for long-lasting protection. Targeted at automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers for factory application on passenger cars, trucks, and buses.
- AP-COAT (corrosion and stone chip protection coatings) Varnish-like film-forming coatings for visible components and constructive functional surfaces, providing corrosion and stone chip protection. Used on automotive OEM components and industrial surfaces.
- AP-SKIN (storage and transport protection) Anti-corrosion oil products for temporary protection of vehicles, components, and machinery during storage and transport. Used by OEMs, port terminals, and logistics value-added service providers.
- AP-PURE (industrial cleaners) Industrial cleaners for removing oils, greases, and waxes from metal surfaces prior to coating or as part of maintenance processes. Used in industrial and automotive applications.
- PFINDER Selection (B2B online shop assortment) B2B e-commerce offering of PFINDER corrosion protection products in small container sizes (up to 60 kg) for flexible quantities, single applications, or small production runs. Targeted at workshops, small businesses, and individual professional users via shop.pfinder.de.
- PFINDER Engineering Services Process consulting, 3D CAD-based spray simulation, custom nozzle design and development, product development, and production integration support for customized corrosion protection solutions. Targeted at automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20% reduction in material consumption per vehicle achieved through flood wax line conversion project
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PFINDER NDT
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
PFINDER NDT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
PFINDER NDT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- HenkelcoreJoint project in Curitiba, Brazil to convert customer's flood wax production line to PFINDER's latest product generation. Achieved 20% material reduction per vehicle. Further sustainable optimizations are planned including process temperature reduction.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights7 records
PFINDER NDT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Nihon Parkerizing: Japan-based leader in surface treatment and corrosion protection chemicals serving automotive OEMs, especially across Asia. A regional peer with overlapping chemistry portfolios and OEM-customer model.
Direct peers
- Magnaflux (ITW): Part of Illinois Tool Works, Magnaflux is a leading manufacturer of non-destructive testing consumables (penetrants and magnetic particle testing materials) — directly comparable to the PFINDER NDT line referenced in the company short description.
- Houghton International: Specialty chemical supplier of industrial fluids, cleaners, and surface treatment chemicals serving automotive and industrial OEMs. Closely comparable to PFINDER in product scope (cleaners, corrosion protection) and customer base.
- Dürr AG: Supplies both painting and sealing application equipment and sealing/cavity-conservation materials to automotive OEMs globally. Directly comparable to PFINDER's combination of proprietary chemistry plus application engineering expertise.
- NOF Metal Coatings: Specialist in anti-corrosion metallic coatings (zinc flake, geomet) for automotive fasteners and structural components, competing for the same OEM corrosion-protection wallet as PFINDER's underbody and cavity products.
Broad incumbents
- Axalta Coating Systems: Leading automotive coatings supplier with refinish, OEM, and industrial product lines. Axalta's OEM and industrial coating portfolios overlap with PFINDER's automotive corrosion protection offering.
- PPG Industries: Global paints and coatings major with strong automotive OEM presence, including protective and functional coatings adjacent to PFINDER's underbody and stone-chip product lines.
- Kansai Paint: Major Japanese and global coatings supplier with automotive OEM protective and decorative coatings. Overlaps with PFINDER in protective coating chemistry for vehicle applications.
- Henkel: Global specialty chemicals giant with automotive surface treatment and corrosion protection portfolios (Bonderite, Terophon). PFINDER lists Henkel as an active strategic partner (Curitiba project), making Henkel both a customer and a direct competitive incumbent across automotive OEMs.
- BASF Coatings / Chemetall: BASF's surface treatment division (formerly Chemetall) supplies pre-treatment and corrosion protection coatings to global automotive OEMs and Tier-1s, competing head-to-head with PFINDER for approved-supplier status on vehicle platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PFINDER NDT social profiles
Digital presencePFINDER NDT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PFINDER NDT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PFINDER NDT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
PFINDER NDT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PFINDER NDT 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 PFINDER NDT
What does PFINDER NDT do?
PFINDER develops, produces, and optimizes corrosion protection systems — including underbody coatings, cavity sealants, stone-chip and varnish-like coatings, temporary transport/storage protectants, and industrial cleaners — for the automotive industry and adjacent industrial sectors. The company pairs its chemical products with engineering services (process consulting, CAD-based spray simulation, custom nozzle design, and production integration) to deliver validated, OEM-approved corrosion protection solutions.
Is PFINDER NDT a public or private company?
PFINDER NDT is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was PFINDER NDT founded?
PFINDER NDT was founded in 1884. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PFINDER NDT based?
PFINDER NDT is headquartered in Böblingen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does PFINDER NDT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Corrosion Protection Products OEM is the primary driver. The others are industrial and Aftermarket Products, B2B E-commerce (PFINDER Selection) and engineering Services.
Who are PFINDER NDT's main competitors?
Nihon Parkerizing is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Magnaflux (ITW), Houghton International, Dürr AG and NOF Metal Coatings. Broad incumbents are Axalta Coating Systems, PPG Industries, Kansai Paint, Henkel and BASF Coatings / Chemetall.
Does PFINDER NDT have an API?
No public API is recorded for PFINDER NDT.
What industry is PFINDER NDT in?
PFINDER NDT's product category is Industrial corrosion protection coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAGAB, Industrial & Protective Coatings, with a secondary code of IMAIAKAB, Industrial Protective Coatings (Steel/Concrete/Equipment). Its NAICS code is 325510 and its SIC code is 2851.