What Anochrome Group does

Anochrome Group is the UK's largest independent specialist metal finishing and surface coatings company, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Wolverhampton. The group operates six manufacturing facilities — four in the West Midlands, one in Łańcut, Poland, and one in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic — and processes tens of millions of components weekly for 1,500+ customers across automotive, aerospace, defence, rail, nuclear, marine, offshore, petrochemical, construction, renewables, highways, and commercial vehicles. It provides B2B job-coating services through six operating subsidiaries, each with distinct technical specialisations covering electroplating (zinc, zinc nickel, barrel, rack), zinc flake, thermal diffusion (Greenkote/sherardising), mechanical plating, e-coat/KTL, anodising, passivation, phosphating, powder coatings, EMI/RFI shielding, induction hardening, thread locking patches, and underhead sealants.

The group's technology rests on a portfolio of exclusive and licence-based coating chemistries from global partners including NOF Metal Coatings (sole UK licensee for Geomet), Greenkote (European licence holder), Nylok (Tuflok/NySeal), MacDermid (ZinKlad), Magni, Dörken, BASF (CathoGuard e-coat), Atotech, PPG (Xylan), and SurTec. It holds specialist distinctions such as the UK's first cyclic corrosion chamber for an electroplater, the only UK job coater offering mechanical barrel plating, the only UK job coater offering Greenkote thermal diffusion on threaded components, and — via Anocote CR — unique licensing to apply all four major global zinc flake systems. Process capabilities span rack and barrel plating, dip-spin, robotic and manual spray coating, and proprietary induction hardening of tri-lobular fastener threads, supported by automated optical sorting for high-throughput inspection.

The business model is custom B2B job-work priced per project based on component specification, coating type, volume, and complexity; no public pricing exists. Direct enterprise field sales reach OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and manufacturers globally, with named customers including BMW, Daimler Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren, Porsche, London Underground, and Isaac H Grainger. Following an 80-year run as a family-owned business, the group completed a management buyout in 2026 backed by private equity firm Endless LLP, transitioning to management/PE ownership to fund its next growth phase. The company holds comprehensive cross-sector accreditations including IATF 16949, AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RISQS, JOSCAR, and US MIL-DTL specifications, and is led by CEO Mark Jones with Steve Norman as UK Divisional Director.

Name

Anochrome Group

Legal name

Anochrome Group

Website

https://anochrome.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Anochrome Group is the UK's largest independent specialist metal finishing and surface coatings company, operating six manufacturing facilities across the UK, Poland, and Czech Republic, processing tens of millions of components weekly for 1,500+ industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Finishing & Surface Coatings

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating) (IMAKACAI)

Keywords

• Metal finishing services
• Surface coating solutions
• Zinc electroplating
• Corrosion protection coatings
• Industrial fastener finishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Wolverhampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Finishing and Surface Coating Job Work: B2B job-coating services for metal components. Customers submit parts for surface treatment and finishing according to their specifications. Revenue is generated per job/project based on component type, coating process, volume, and complexity. Services range from high-volume bulk processing (millions of parts per week) to smaller specialist runs. No public pricing; custom quotes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Anochrome Group is a B2B metal finishing and surface coating job-coater that processes customer-supplied metal components through 22+ coating processes including electroplating (zinc, zinc nickel, barrel, rack), e-coat/KTL, anodising, zinc flake, thermal diffusion (Greenkote), mechanical plating, passivation, phosphating, powder coatings, and thread locking/sealing solutions. The group operates six manufacturing units across the UK and Central Europe, processing tens of millions of components weekly for over 1,500 industrial customers in automotive, aerospace, defence, rail, nuclear, marine, petrochemical, and other sectors.

Product overview

Anochrome Group is the UK's largest independent specialist surface coatings and metal finishing company, operating six companies: Anochrome Ltd (rack zinc plating), Anocote CR (advanced coatings in Czech Republic), Anocote PL (zinc flake specialists in Poland), Anotec (global coating solutions including thermal diffusion and spray coatings), Inlex Locking Ltd (threadlocking and sealing), and WEP - Wolverhampton Electro Plating (bulk metal finishing). The group offers a comprehensive portfolio of metal finishing and surface coating services including: electroplating (zinc, zinc nickel), electrophoretic coating (e-coat/KTL), anodising, phosphating, passivating, powder coatings, decorative coatings, zinc flake coatings, thermal diffusion, mechanical plating, dry film lubricants, wax coatings, induction hardening, EMI shielding, and thread locking/sealing solutions (nylon patches, reactive locking patches, sealants). The group processes tens of millions of components weekly for diverse industries including automotive, aerospace, defence, rail, nuclear, marine, construction, petrochemical, and renewables. Services are applied through various methods including rack plating, barrel plating, dip-spin coating, spray coating (manual, automatic, robotic), and dip coating. The group holds numerous licences for leading coating brands including NOF Geomet, Greenkote, ZinKlad, Nylok Tuflok/NySeal, Magni, Xylan, and Dörken systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zinc Plating Cost-effective zinc electroplating (electro-galvanising) providing sacrificial corrosion protection for steel and iron components. Available via barrel or rack plating methods. Enhanced with trivalent chromium-free passivates (Lanthane, Finigard, Magni B18, JS500, ELV series, Deltacol GZ, TnT, Gleitmo) for additional corrosion resistance. REACH and ELV Directive compliant.
• Zinc Nickel Plating Surface treatment adding 12-15% nickel by weight providing enhanced corrosion resistance (at least double that of zinc), temperature stability up to 120°C, excellent ductility, and reduced hydrogen embrittlement. Available via barrel or rack plating methods.
• Zinc Flake Coating Non-electrolytic zinc flake coating protecting metals from corrosion without hydrogen embrittlement risk. Dense flake layer shields metal from moisture, chemicals and salt spray. Anochrome operates multiple dip-spin coating lines with automated spraying and manual coating. Exclusive UK licence for NOF Geomet series.
• Thermal Diffusion (Greenkote / Sherardising) Environmentally-friendly zinc diffusion process into steel at high temperatures creating hard, non-magnetic coating with exceptional corrosion, oxidation and abrasion resistance. Anotec is the only UK job coater offering Greenkote thermal diffusion zinc coatings. Combined with top coats can exceed 2,000 hours salt spray performance.
• E-coat / KTL (Electrophoretic Coatings) Cathodic e-coating using BASF CathoGuard Technology offering superior corrosion-resistance and durability with up to 1000 hours salt spray protection (ASTM B 117). Environmentally-friendly water-based coating with fewer VOCs, free from heavy metals and hazardous air pollutants. Capacity of more than 250,000 parts per week.
• Anodising Conversion Electrochemical process creating durable aluminium oxide layer on metal surfaces to improve corrosion resistance and durability. Includes hard anodising for enhanced wear resistance and high-temperature applications.
• Mechanical Plating Cold welding process applying coatings at room temperature using mechanical energy. Causes no hydrogen embrittlement. WEP is the only job coater in the UK offering this service. Includes mixed metal coatings like Almac (aluminium-zinc) and Inverplex (zinc-tin).
• Passivating Process making materials passive to prevent reaction with environment and corrosion. Adds oxide layer through deposition on metal surface using nitric acid or citric acid solutions. Widely used for aluminium, zinc, titanium, stainless steel, and microelectronics.
• Phosphating Inorganic conversion layers formed by controlled chemical reaction between metal surface (typically steel/iron) and phosphate salts. Creates crystalline phosphate layer ideal for absorbing oils, waxes and sealants. Types include heavyweight zinc phosphate (10-25 g/m²) and lightweight zinc phosphate (3-7 g/m²).
• Powder Coatings Tough, durable polymer powder finish resisting chipping, cracking, peeling and fading. Contains little to no VOCs. Applied electrostatically and cured in oven where powder melts and fuses. Suitable for outdoor and marine environments.
• Decorative Coatings High-performance decorative coatings enhancing appearance and performance on aluminium, steel, plastics, GRP, brass, titanium. Includes epoxies, acrylics and polyurethanes applied as base coats, top coats or lacquers. Known for automotive brake caliper finishes for supercars.
• Dry Film Lubricants Solid thin coatings reducing friction between moving parts without liquid lubricants. Combines fluorocarbons with engineered organic materials. Applied via dip spin or automatic/manual spraying for automotive gears, pistons, fasteners, couplings, bearings.
• Induction Hardening Surface heating process hardening specific target areas of metal components using electromagnetic induction. WEP uses this to treat thread-forming zones of tri-lobular fasteners, retaining core strength while improving wear resistance for punishing applications.
• EMI Shielding Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and EMI shielding solutions protecting sensitive equipment by reducing electromagnetic and radio interference. Anotec Ag and Cn series coatings provide EMI shielding for plastic electronic enclosures.
• Nylon Locking Patch Anti-vibration locking patches preventing threaded fasteners from loosening due to vibration. Nylon 11 patches permanently fused onto screw threads providing re-usable wedging action. Available as 180° or 360° coverage, in blue, red, or high-temperature orange (260°C capability).
• Reactive Locking Patch Pre-applied microencapsulated adhesive coatings providing high-strength chemical locking bond. Materials are anaerobic and visible in 360-degree circumferential band. Single-use fit-and-forget application. Products include Precote 30, 80, 85 and ND Industries ND1193-S.
• Thread and Underhead Sealants Thread and underhead sealants providing reliable sealing across applications. Thread sealants (Microseal 204, precote 5 and 15) offer up to 160°C. Underhead sealants include Rimlex brand products (620B, 310, 600Y) and Nyseal/Nyseal 2.0 from Nylok.
• Thread Protection & Masking (omniMASK) High-performance FEP fluoropolymer powder coating preventing weld spatter, electrodeposited coatings, E-coating, primers and paint adhesion on threads. Inlex is the UK's sole authorised omniMASK coating partner. Applied to bolts and internally threaded steel nuts (M6 to M14). Coefficient of friction 0.09-0.15, melting temperature 260°C.
• Optical Sorting & Automated Inspection Automated optical sorting inspecting fasteners for defects using reflected light analysis. Processes headed bolts, screws and fasteners checking shank length, diameter, thread quality, head dimensions, cracks, and open bursts. Reduces labour costs on bulk orders with fast, highly accurate, non-destructive inspection.
• Wax-Based Thread Lubricants Lubricated coatings for electroplated finishes including Gleitmo, Torque N Tension, Finigard and A3 wax applied via barrel dip-spin. SurTec precote Top 300 available for specialist applications reducing noise or initial installation torque.
• Wax Coatings & Lubricants Wide range of waxes and lubricants applied as post-coating treatments including Gleitmo 2145V/605/627, Torque-N-Tension, A3 Wax, and Finigard series. Category includes integral lubricated coatings and surface lubrication options for torsional and assembly-critical applications.
• SurTec 650 Trivalent Chromium Passivation Trivalent chromium passivation process for aluminium and alloys, delivered by Anotec. RoHS-compliant, provides corrosion protection comparable to hexavalent processes, excellent pre-treatment for painting/powder coating/adhesive bonding, low contact resistance, and strong heat resistance. Meets MIL-DTL-81706B and MIL-DTL-5541F requirements for aerospace and defence sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 0.5 million rack zinc parts per week; over 0.25 million zinc nickel parts per week; over 0.25 million e-coat parts per week — at Anochrome Ltd alone
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NylokcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2024In 2024, Inlex Locking entered into a new exclusive licence partnership with Nylok covering Tuflok, NySeal and NySeal 2.0 patching systems across the UK, Poland and Czech Republic. Nylok is a highly-respected provider of resin, adhesive and lubricant coatings for threaded fastener applications with over 150 patents.
• SurTeccoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022SurTec develops and supplies chemical specialities for surface treatment across automotive, construction, aerospace and defence sectors. In 2022, SurTec acquired omniTECHNIK and the precote brand in the USA. Anochrome Group supplies precote products via Inlex Locking and SurTec 650 trivalent chromium passivation through Anotec. SurTec 650 added to Anotec's repertoire in 2026.
• GreenkotecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAnochrome Group is the European licence holder for Greenkote thermal diffusion zinc coatings — an eco-friendly process providing advanced corrosion-resistant coating by diffusing dry powder into metal substrates at high temperatures. Greenkote is suitable for automotive, wind energy, marine, highways, and oil and gas applications.
• NOF Metal CoatingscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAnochrome Group is the sole UK licencee for NOF's GEOMET coatings — advanced, chrome-free, water-based corrosion protection. WEP applies Geomet via dip-spin process while Anotec uses spray coating. Also licensed for PLUS VLh topcoat. In 2024, a new exclusive licence partnership with Nylok was agreed covering Poland, Czech Republic and the UK.
• MacDermidcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicenced applicator for MacDermid ZinKlad systems — zinc electroplating, zinc-nickel electroplating, and mechanical zinc plating using genuine MacDermid chemistry. Also offers approved topcoats including TnT 12, TnT 12N, TnT 11, Finigard 105, and Finigard 113G. PFAS-free topcoats also available.
• DörkencoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCertified application partner for Dörken zinc-flake coatings — ultra-thin, inorganic zinc-aluminium lamella systems. Range includes DELTA-PROTEKT KL100 and KL105 basecoats paired with VH301 and VH302 topcoats. Also offers functional/aesthetic solutions including GZ Silver, GZ Black, Deltacol Black, and Deltacol Sky Blue.
• Magni EuropecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicenced user of Magni duplex coating systems combining inorganic zinc-flake basecoat (Magni B46) with organic topcoat (Magni B18). Chromium-free system helps prevent hydrogen embrittlement and achieves excellent salt-spray performance. Also offers Magni B18 Green coloured variant.
• BASFcoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading UK job-coater of BASF e-coat finishes with capacity of more than 250,000 parts per week. BASF's CathoGuard Technology protects surface, edges and cavities from corrosion. Provides excellent base for subsequent paint layers in automotive applications.
• precote USA / omniMASKcoreTechnology or Integrationprecote USA, LLC (North American service group for SurTec) developed omniMASK — a high-performance FEP fluoropolymer powder coating for thread masking. Inlex Locking is the UK's sole authorised and certified coating partner for omniMASK. The wider Anochrome Group has a partnership agreement as recommended and approved European applicator.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Dörken MKS-Systeme: German manufacturer of DELTA-PROTEKT zinc flake coating systems, used by Anochrome under certified application partnership. Chemistry supplier and licensing partner; comparable technology stack but not a job-coating competitor.
• MacDermid Enthone Electronics Solutions: Element Solutions subsidiary supplying MacDermid ZinKlad plating chemistries that Anochrome applies under licence. Chemistry supplier with strategic interest in coating outcomes; adjacent ecosystem rather than direct job-coating competitor.
• NOF Metal Coatings: Japanese-headquartered developer and supplier of Geomet zinc flake coatings — Anochrome's licensing partner and sole UK licencee of the technology. Adjacent ecosystem participant and chemistry supplier that competes with end-coaters in some geographies.

Direct peers

• Pioneer Metal Finishing: US-headquartered metal finishing job-coater offering plating, anodising, and coating services to automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. Direct comparable on B2B job-shop model and broad service portfolio.
• Bodycote plc: UK-headquartered global leader in heat treatment and specialist metal finishing services serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. Closest large-cap direct peer given overlapping service portfolio, multi-site UK/European footprint, and B2B job-shop model.
• HEF Group: French privately held metal finishing and surface engineering job-coater with global sites serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. Highly comparable business model: job-coating services for customer-supplied components, broad coating portfolio, and Tier 1 OEM customer base.
• Valence Surface Technologies: US-based provider of aerospace-focused surface treatment services including plating, anodising, and coating for Tier 1 aerospace suppliers. Direct peer in the aerospace/defence surface finishing niche, comparable in certification intensity and customer quality.
• Hohman Plating & Manufacturing: US-based metal finisher specialising in functional coatings including zinc, zinc-nickel, and zinc flake for fastener and automotive applications. Comparable in coating chemistry focus and fastener customer base.
• Aalberts Surface Technologies: Dutch-listed industrial group with surface treatment division offering heat treatment, coatings, and surface finishing across Europe. Direct comparable given multi-country European footprint, B2B job-coater model, and similar end-market mix.

Broad incumbents

• Sulzer Ltd: Swiss-listed industrial group whose Surface Solutions division offers thermal spray and coating services for industrial customers. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities but specialised in higher-end thermal spray rather than fastener coatings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/anochrome

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Anochrome Group