What Galber does

Galber is a 100% Mexican, family-owned specialty chemicals company founded in 1972 and headquartered in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The company operates three business divisions: Surface Finishing (electroplating and anodizing chemistries including proprietary zinc, zinc-nickel alloys such as SLOTOLOY ZN 210/80/1000, electroless nickel from Schlötter and Technic, and a full line of degreasing and activation products under the Gal- and Desengrase brands); Packaging and Protection (design and molding of expanded polystyrene EPS, expanded polypropylene EPP, ARCEL products, and pre-qualified cold chain solutions distributed in partnership with Power Ice); and Industrial Chemicals (distribution and fabrication of acids, metal salts, cyanides, alkalis, metal anodes, and wastewater treatment chemicals).

The company distributes global brands including Hendor pumps and filters (Netherlands, since January 2023), IMC anodes, Vale nickel products, Alufinish anodizing additives, and Schlötter and Technic surface finishing chemistries. Its technology stack is chemistry- and process-engineering-driven, spanning galvanoplasty, anodizing, zinc-nickel alloy deposition, electroless nickel, and wastewater treatment, with a Qualanod-compliant sealing portfolio. The company holds ISO 9001 certification and is recognized as one of the Mejores Empresas Mexicanas (2022, 2023).

Galber makes money through B2B direct sales of chemical products, equipment, and packaging materials via a sales-led motion with specialized technical advisors, supported by inside sales (toll-free 800 801 0170, WhatsApp, website forms) and a channel partner model acting as certified/authorized distributor for global principals. Pricing is quote-based, negotiated per customer and volume, with multi-year contracts. The company serves more than 2,000 industrial customers across automotive, aerospace, medical devices, electronics/PCB, food processing, and general metalworking, with national coverage through distribution centers in Mexico. Andrés Álvarez serves as CEO. The company has 51-100 employees, no disclosed external institutional investors, no subsidiaries, and no parent company.

Name

Galber

Legal name

GALBER, S.A. DE C.V.

Website

https://galber.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Galber is a 100% Mexican, family-owned specialty chemicals company (founded 1972, Guadalajara) that manufactures and distributes surface finishing chemistries, industrial chemicals, and protective packaging to more than 2,000 industrial customers across Mexico's automotive, aerospace, medical, and electronics sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Guadalajara

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Chemical Product Distribution and Manufacturing: Distribution and fabrication of industrial chemical products including acids, alkalis, cyanides, nickel salts, and specialty chemical materials. Galber positions itself as leaders in the distribution and manufacture of chemical products and specialized materials with the best cost-quality offering. Products are sold directly to industrial customers across multiple sectors.
2. Surface Finishing Solutions: Sale of specialized products and services for electroplating, anodizing, and surface treatment including proprietary processes (zinc, nickel, zinc-nickel alloys), process chemicals, and equipment. Technical service and engineering support bundled with product supply.
3. Packaging and Protection Materials: Design, development, molding and manufacturing of expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), ARCEL and pre-qualified cold chain solutions. Custom protective packaging for industrial applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Galber develops, manufactures, and distributes industrial chemicals, electroplating processes, and protective packaging materials for Mexican industrial manufacturers. The company operates three divisions: Surface Finishing (proprietary and partner-branded zinc, zinc-nickel, electroless nickel, degreasing, and anodizing seal processes), Packaging and Protection (EPS, EPP, ARCEL molded packaging and cold chain solutions), and Industrial Chemicals (acids, salts, cyanides, alkalis, metal anodes, and wastewater treatment chemistries). Technical advisory and engineering support are bundled with product supply to customers across automotive, aerospace, medical, electronics, and general metalworking sectors.

Product overview

Galber is a 100% Mexican company with 50 years of experience, operating as a multi-division industrial solutions provider with three core business units: Surface Finishing (acabado de superficies), Packaging and Protection (protección y empaque), and Industrial Chemicals (químicos industriales). The Surface Finishing division offers comprehensive electroplating solutions including zinc processes (Masterzinc, Ultrazinc, GNC, GalZinc 107, GalZinc 108), zinc-nickel alloys (SLOTOLOY series), electroless nickel (Slotonip NP 1150, Techni EN, Techniphos 615), degreasers (Gal-44 through Gal-219 series), activators (Gal Acid, Gal Acid 30D), and aluminum anodizing sealants. The Industrial Chemicals division provides a broad catalog of acids, metal salts, cyanides, alkalis, and wastewater treatment chemicals. Since January 2023, Galber has expanded its portfolio through a partnership with Dutch manufacturer Hendor to distribute corrosion-resistant chemical pumps and filters. The company serves major industries including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical, food processing, and home appliances through distribution centers and offices nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surface Finishing Division

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2,000 customers served nationally
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HendorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Partnership effective January 1, 2023. Hendor, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of corrosion-resistant chemical pumps and filters founded in 1948, partnered with Galber to optimize supply of high-quality pumps and filters for Mexico's surface finishing industry. Galber acts as certified non-exclusive national distributor for all Hendor pumps, filters, and service, maintaining its own stock in Guadalajara for rapid customer supply. Regular training sessions are conducted with Galber's sales team to transfer Hendor's knowledge and expertise. Both companies emphasize innovation, service, and partnership as family businesses.
• IMC (International Metalcasting Company)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGalber is an Authorized Distributor for IMC, an international leader in the manufacture of anodes and derivatives of copper and brass of high quality specialized for industrial applications. IMC Website: imc-ma.com
• ValecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGalber maintains a partnership with Vale, a global leader in nickel extraction and transformation, offering high quality nickel products and derivatives. Vale Website: vale.com
• AlufinishcoreTechnology or IntegrationGalber distributes Alufinish products, a company specialized in the manufacture of additives for anodizing and chemical treatment of surfaces of aluminum, steel, and zinc. Alufinish products comply with Qualanod requirements. Website: alufinish.de
• Power IceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGalber distributes Power Ice products, a manufacturer of next-generation solutions for cold chain care, control, and safeguarding. Power Ice Website: powerice.mx
• SchlöttercoreTechnology or IntegrationGalber distributes Schlötter brand processes for zinc-nickel alloy plating (SLOTOLOY ZN 210, ZN 80, ZN 1000) and electroless nickel (Slotonip NP 1150). Schlötter is recognized as a world-class supplier of electroplating chemicals meeting international quality standards.
• TechniccoreTechnology or IntegrationGalber distributes Technic brand electroless nickel processes (Techni EN 2600, 8200, 3500) and the Techniphos 615 process for phosphatized electroless nickel. Technic is a recognized global manufacturer of specialty chemicals for surface finishing with extensive R&D capabilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pochteca: Mexico's largest domestic industrial chemicals and raw materials distributor with nationwide logistics. Most directly comparable Mexican peer to Galber's Industrial Chemicals division, sharing the same B2B distribution motion and customer base.
• Coventya: European-headquartered specialty chemicals company focused on surface finishing (zinc, zinc alloys, electroless nickel, anodizing). A direct global competitor in the same chemistry categories Galber distributes in Mexico.

Broad incumbents

• MacDermid Enthone (Element Solutions): Worldwide specialty chemicals supplier for decorative and functional plating. Competes head-to-head with Galber's Schlötter- and Technic-distributed product lines in automotive, electronics, and industrial finishing.
• IMCD: Global specialty chemicals distributor with growing Mexican presence serving coatings, polymers, and industrial markets. Comparable to Galber's specialty additives business, particularly in surface treatment chemistry distribution.
• Quaker Houghton: Global leader in industrial process fluids and surface treatment chemistries with operations across Mexico. Overlaps with Galber in industrial chemicals and metal finishing for automotive and metalworking customers.
• Univar Solutions: Global chemical and ingredient distributor with strong Latin American footprint, serving industrial customers in acids, alkalis, and specialty additives. Competes with Galber's Industrial Chemicals division for mid- and large-volume industrial accounts.
• Brenntag: World's largest chemical distribution company with deep operations across Mexico and Latin America. Competes with Galber in industrial chemicals distribution and could absorb or bypass regional players through scale advantages.
• Atotech (Element Solutions): Global leader in surface finishing chemistry (zinc, zinc-nickel, electroless nickel, anodizing) with full Mexican presence. Closest large-scale competitor to Galber's Surface Finishing division and the principal whose technology access most directly threatens Galber's distribution model.

Emerging players

• Technic Inc. US-based specialty chemicals manufacturer of electroless nickel, precious metal plating, and surface finishing chemistry. A current Galber principal (Techni EN, Techniphos) and a peer whose direct Mexican commercial expansion would threaten Galber's distribution position.
• Schlötter: German specialty chemicals manufacturer of zinc, zinc-nickel, and electroless nickel plating processes. Both a key Galber supplier (Slotoloy/Slotonip lines) and a peer whose direct Mexican entry would disintermediate Galber's role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/galbermexico
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/galber-oficial

Compliance2 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 Galber