Star Metal Fluids
Star Metal Fluids LLC is a Phoenix-based industrial B2B distributor, founded 1992, that supplies metalworking fluids, lubricants, cleaning products, and fluid-maintenance equipment from 50+ manufacturer brands to US metalworking, aerospace, and food-processing customers via e-commerce, phone sales, and regional delivery.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Star Metal Fluids does
Star Metal Fluids LLC is a Phoenix, Arizona-based industrial B2B distributor founded in 1992 that supplies metalworking fluids, lubricants, cleaning products, and related equipment to the US metalworking industry. The company distributes — rather than manufactures — products from more than 50 manufacturer brands, including major lubricant names (Castrol, Mobil, Shell, Quaker Houghton, Kluber, Phillips 66), specialty aerospace and medical-grade fluid producers (Hangsterfer, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Qualichem), and equipment suppliers (Zebra, DOSATRON, Torbul-Vortex, Dutro, VeeGee, Skimray). Its product portfolio is organized into four categories: metalworking fluids (cutting oils, machine coolants, EDM/vanish/quench/forming fluids, MWF additives), lubricants (compressor, fire-resistant, food-grade, greases, machine oils), clean and protect (solvents, rust/corrosion protection, absorbents, hand wipes), and equipment (drum handling, filtration, oil skimming, water treatment, MQL systems, parts cleaning).
The company serves four primary vertical segments: general metalworking and manufacturing (its core market), aerospace and medical device manufacturing requiring certified fluids, aerospace MRO with MIL-PRF-680-compliant solvents, and food and beverage processing requiring NSF H1 food-grade lubricants. It differentiates through technical expertise in fluid selection and application rather than proprietary products, supported by a technical database of troubleshooting guides, coolant care articles, and reference documentation.
Star Metal Fluids generates revenue through one-time product sales priced on a per-unit basis, ordered via e-commerce (metalfluids.com), phone (800-367-9966), or quote requests. Distribution is fulfilled through company-owned delivery trucks serving Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, and ground/freight carriers for nationwide US shipping. The company is privately held with 11-50 employees, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no documented leadership team in the source materials.
Star Metal Fluids firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Star Metal Fluids
- Legal name
- Star Metal Fluids LLC
- Website
- https://metalfluids.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Star Metal Fluids LLC is a Phoenix-based industrial B2B distributor, founded 1992, that supplies metalworking fluids, lubricants, cleaning products, and fluid-maintenance equipment from 50+ manufacturer brands to US metalworking, aerospace, and food-processing customers via e-commerce, phone sales, and regional delivery.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Star Metal Fluids industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Distribution - Metalworking Fluids & Lubricants
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metalworking Fluids (Cutting, Grinding & Forming) (IMAEAMAC)
Keywords
Where Star Metal Fluids is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Star Metal Fluids business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Revenue generated from sale of industrial metalworking fluids, lubricants, cutting oils, coolants, cleaning products, and equipment. Products sourced from multiple manufacturer partners and distributed directly to industrial customers via e-commerce and phone orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual product pricing for industrial fluids, lubricants, and equipment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Star Metal Fluids product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Star Metal Fluids LLC is a B2B industrial distributor supplying metalworking fluids (cutting oils, machine coolants, EDM/quench/forming fluids, MWF additives), industrial lubricants (compressor lubes, greases, food-grade and hydraulic oils), cleaning and protection products (solvents, rust/corrosion protection, hand wipes), and metalworking equipment (filtration, oil skimmers, drum handling, water treatment, MQL systems, refractometers). The company distributes products from 50+ manufacturer brands and offers technical support for fluid selection, coolant maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Product overview
Star Metal Fluids LLC is a distributor/reseller of industrial metalworking fluids, lubricants, cleaning products, and equipment serving the metalworking industry since 1992. The company operates from Phoenix, Arizona and offers a diverse portfolio organized into four main product categories: Metalworking Fluids (cutting oils, machine coolants, EDM/Vanish/Quench/Forming fluids, MWF additives), Lubricants (compressor lubes, fire resistant, food grade, greases, machine oils), Clean & Protect (solvents, rust protection, hand wipes, absorbents), and Equipment (filtration/recycling, drum handling, water treatment, MQL systems). The portfolio includes multiple branded product lines such as Qualichem (cutting fluids, vibratory compounds), Vantage Specialty Chemicals (Axarel solvent cleaners, BioAct precision cleaners, Lenium vapor degreasing solvents, CleanSafe aqueous cleaners), Summit Lubricants (synthetic compressor lubes, food grade hydraulic oils, gear oils, greases), Zebra (oil skimmers, barrel mixers, coolant management equipment), Hangsterfer (vegetable-based micro-emulsion fluids for aerospace/medical), Bosse (zinc-free anti-wear hydraulic oils), Simple Green Crystal (NSF-registered industrial cleaners), WD-40, Vibra-Cat/Vibra Finish (vibratory compounds), VeeGee (refractometers), Tuff Tank (stackable fluid storage), Torbul-Vortex (reverse osmosis systems, proportioners), and equipment from DOSATRON, Dutro, and Wright. The company positions itself as technical specialists offering expertise rather than a generic distributor, with a focus on aerospace and industrial manufacturing applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Metalworking Fluids Core product category including cutting oils, machine coolants, EDM/Vanish/Quench/Forming fluids, and MWF additives for industrial machining operations. Used by machine shops and metalworking operations for cutting, grinding, machining, quenching, and forming.
- Industrial Lubricants
- Clean & Protect Products
- Metalworking Equipment
Companies that use Star Metal Fluids
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Star Metal Fluids technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Star Metal Fluids partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AcculubeminorDistributes Acculube brand metalworking and cutting fluid products through Star Metal Fluids catalog and e-commerce platform.
- CastrolcoreAuthorized distributor of Castrol industrial lubricants and metalworking fluids including featured products on website homepage.
- Quaker HoughtoncoreDistributes Quaker Houghton industrial metalworking fluids and process chemicals. Featured brand on website homepage banner.
- KluberminorDistributes Kluber industrial lubricants and specialty chemicals through product catalog.
- MobilcoreAuthorized distributor of Mobil industrial lubricants, hydraulic oils, and compressor lubricants.
- ShellcoreDistributes Shell industrial and automotive lubricants through product catalog.
- QualichemcoreDistributes Qualichem metalworking fluids including Xtreme Cut series cutting and grinding fluids, featured as best-selling products.
- HangsterfercoreDistributes Hangsterfer metalworking fluids including aerospace-approved vegetable-based micro-emulsion products.
- BrulinminorDistributes Brulin aqueous detergents and maintenance products. Featured on homepage banner.
- Vantage Specialty ChemicalscoreDistributes Vantage specialty chemicals including Axarel solvent cleaners, BioAct cleaning products, Lenium vapor degreasing solvents, and CleanSafe aqueous cleaners. Extensive product range with 46+ products.
- ZebracoreDistributes Zebra oil skimmers, barrel mixers, coolant management equipment, and fluid maintenance systems. 11 products including smart disk skimmers, belt oil skimmers, and odor control tablets.
- Summit LubricantscoreDistributes Summit synthetic lubricants including compressor oils, hydraulic oils, gear oils, and food-grade lubricants. Extensive product range with 65+ products.
- VeeGee Scientific (Heathrow Scientific)minorDistributes VeeGee refractometers for coolant concentration measurement including digital and analog models for Brix and industrial applications.
- Vibra Finish CompanyminorDistributes Vibra Finish vibratory and metal finishing compounds for metalworking industries.
- VibraCatminorDistributes VibraCat vibratory compounds for metal finishing including rust preventative fortified products.
- WD-40 CompanyminorDistributes WD-40 multi-use lubricant products through product catalog.
- Simple Green (Sunshine Makers)minorDistributes Simple Green industrial cleaner and degreaser products including Crystal Industrial Cleaner NSF registered formulations.
- Dutro CompanyminorDistributes Dutro drum handling equipment including drum trucks and dollies for industrial fluid handling.
- Meltblown TechnologiesminorDistributes Meltblown Technologies spill response products including emergency response bag spill kits for industrial facilities.
- Tuff Tank (Westech Equipment)minorDistributes Tuff Tank stackable fluid storage tanks and accessories including stands, valves, pumps, and drip trays for chemical and lubricant storage.
- Torbul Vortex (Arizona Vortex Tube)minorDistributes Torbul Vortex reverse osmosis water systems, proportioners, and drum vacuum equipment for metalworking fluid management.
- Wright (Olympic Steel/McCullough Industries)minorDistributes Wright self-dumping hoppers for industrial waste and material handling applications.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Star Metal Fluids competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kaman Industrial Technologies: Industrial distribution business with bearings, power transmission, and fluid power product lines. Directly comparable in serving metalworking and manufacturing customers with technical fluid and lubrication products.
- Fuller Industrial: Specialist industrial distributor focused on metalworking fluids, lubricants, and coolants with technical service. Closest comparable niche-specialist business model to Star Metal Fluids, operating at a similar small-to-mid scale.
- MSC Industrial Direct: Large US B2B metalworking and industrial MRO distributor with deep cutting fluid, lubricant, and tooling catalog. Directly comparable business model — multi-brand industrial distribution to machine shops and manufacturers — but operating at vastly greater scale.
- Applied Industrial Technologies: Industrial distributor with a fluid power and lubrication product line serving manufacturing customers. Comparable in distributing branded industrial fluids and providing technical/application support to metalworking and process industry customers.
- Lawson Products: B2B distributor of industrial supplies including maintenance, repair, and metalworking consumables. Comparable multi-brand distribution model serving industrial customers with technical product expertise.
Emerging players
- Zoro Tools: Grainger-owned online industrial supplies marketplace. Competes in e-commerce distribution of industrial fluids, lubricants, and shop supplies, representing the digital-first model that could pressure traditional distributors.
Broad incumbents
- McMaster-Carr: Direct-ship industrial supplier with broad catalog including lubricants, cleaners, and fluid handling equipment. Competes in e-commerce industrial distribution with emphasis on availability and breadth, though less specialised in metalworking fluids.
- Fastenal: Industrial supplies distributor with onsite vending and direct-to-customer programs for manufacturing and metalworking customers. Comparable in serving industrial fluid and consumable needs via hybrid sales-and-distribution model.
- W.W. Grainger: Largest US industrial MRO distributor offering lubricants, cleaners, metalworking supplies, and fluid handling equipment. Overlaps as a multi-brand channel but operates at vastly larger scale across many product categories.
- Motion Industries: Industrial parts distributor (subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company) with a fluid power division. Overlaps with Star Metal Fluids in industrial fluid handling, lubrication, and MRO product distribution to manufacturers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Star Metal Fluids compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance14 records
Star Metal Fluids financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Star Metal Fluids leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Star Metal Fluids funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Star Metal Fluids 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 Star Metal Fluids
What does Star Metal Fluids do?
Star Metal Fluids LLC is a B2B industrial distributor supplying metalworking fluids (cutting oils, machine coolants, EDM/quench/forming fluids, MWF additives), industrial lubricants (compressor lubes, greases, food-grade and hydraulic oils), cleaning and protection products (solvents, rust/corrosion protection, hand wipes), and metalworking equipment (filtration, oil skimmers, drum handling, water treatment, MQL systems, refractometers). The company distributes products from 50+ manufacturer brands and offers technical support for fluid selection, coolant maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Is Star Metal Fluids a public or private company?
Star Metal Fluids is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Star Metal Fluids founded?
Star Metal Fluids was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Star Metal Fluids based?
Star Metal Fluids is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Star Metal Fluids make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Sales.
Who are Star Metal Fluids's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kaman Industrial Technologies, Fuller Industrial, MSC Industrial Direct, Applied Industrial Technologies and Lawson Products. Zoro Tools is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are McMaster-Carr, Fastenal, W.W. Grainger and Motion Industries.
Does Star Metal Fluids have an API?
No public API is recorded for Star Metal Fluids.
What industry is Star Metal Fluids in?
Star Metal Fluids's product category is Industrial Distribution - Metalworking Fluids & Lubricants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAMAC, Metalworking Fluids (Cutting, Grinding & Forming). Its SIC code is 2890.