Electro-chem Metal Finishing

What Electro-chem Metal Finishing does

Electro-Chem Metal Finishing, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned aluminum finishing job shop headquartered at 4849 SE 26th Avenue in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, operating continuously since 1959. The company provides anodizing and chromate conversion coating services, with racking techniques spanning parts from tiny components up to 20 feet in length across finishes including clear, gold, black, blue, and red anodize, plus trivalent chromium (TCP) and traditional chromate conversion coatings (Chem Film, Chromicoat, Alodine, Irridite). Supporting services include soap, acid deoxidizer, and caustic etch pre-finishing, vapor degreasing (using TCE, currently being phased out per April 2026 DEQ agreement), critical tolerance processing, masking/plugging, MIL-spec certification via third-party lab, and packaging/shipping. The technology base is well-established electrochemical surface treatment — anodizing converts the aluminum substrate itself into an integrated aluminum oxide finish that cannot chip or peel, while chromate coatings preserve electrical conductivity alongside corrosion resistance.

The customer base spans dental equipment manufacturers, machine shops of all sizes, sheet metal fabricators, military/defense applications, and hobbyists, with customers distributed across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, and Hawaii. Electro-Chem is positioned for compliance-heavy end markets with RoHS, WEEE, ELV, AMS 2471/2472, ASTM B 580, AMS/MIL-A-8625 Type II, AMS/MIL-DTL-5541, and ASTM B 921 certifications in place. Revenue mechanics are quote-based, one-time job pricing with minimum lot charges ranging from $50 to $70 depending on finish type, plus per-part charges and $10 per military certification, with quantity discounts available. The go-to-market is direct sales via phone, email, and a website quote request form — no resellers, no digital storefront, no e-commerce — with quick delivery and no expedite fees. Management is family-controlled across three generations with no disclosed institutional ownership.

Name

Electro-chem Metal Finishing

Legal name

Electro-Chem Metal Finishing, Inc.

Website

https://electrochempdx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Electro-Chem Metal Finishing is a third-generation, family-owned aluminum anodizing and chromate conversion coating job shop in Portland, Oregon, serving dental equipment manufacturers, machine shops, sheet metal fabricators, defense contractors, and hobbyists across eight western U.S. states since 1959.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Finishing Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Aluminum anodizing services
• Chromate conversion coatings
• Metal finishing services
• Electroplating surface treatment
• MIL-spec certified coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Finishing Services: One-time job-based pricing for anodizing and chromate conversion coating services. Pricing based on finish type, dimensions, quantity, and alloy specifications. Minimum lot charges apply for standard orders. Additional charges for special services such as vapor degreaser treatment, masking, and military certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Electro-Chem Metal Finishing provides aluminum anodizing and chromate conversion coating services from its Portland, OR facility, serving industrial customers since 1959. The company processes aluminum parts ranging from tiny components to items up to 20 feet in length, offering clear, gold, black, blue, and red anodize variants alongside trivalent chromium (TCP) conversion coatings. Supporting services include chemical pre-finishing (vapor degreasing, soap, acid deoxidizer, caustic etch), masking, critical tolerance control, MIL-spec certification, and packaging/shipping.

Product overview

Electro-Chem Metal Finishing is a third-generation family-owned aluminum finishing company offering a comprehensive suite of surface treatment services. The core product portfolio centers on anodizing (Clear, Gold, Black, Blue, and Red variants in various thickness grades) and chromate conversion coatings (including Chem Film, Chromicoat, Alodine, Irridite, and Trivalent Chromium TCP). Supporting services include chemical pre-finishing operations (Vapor Degreaser using TCE, Soap, Acid Deoxidizer, and Caustic Etch), as well as value-added options like Critical Tolerances, Masking/Plugging, Military Certification, and Packaging/Shipping. The company operates from Portland, OR serving markets in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clear Anodize (Type II Class 1, .0003"-.0008" variants) Clear anodized aluminum coatings per AMS/MIL-A-8625 Type II (Class 1) or ASTM B 580 in four thickness grades: Clear (.0003"), Architectural Class II (.0004" minimum), Architectural Class I (.0007" minimum), and Maximum (.0008" minimum, recommended for marine applications). Provides abrasion and corrosion protection with varying levels of electrical resistance. RoHS compliant per AMS 2471 or AMS 2472. Maximum part length up to 20 ft.
• Gold Anodize (Type II Class 2) Gold dyed anodize (.0004"-.0006") with non-fading mineral impregnation and extreme weather resistance at architectural quality. Maximum part length 20 ft.
• Black Anodize (Type II Class 2) Black dyed anodize (.0006"-.0008") with excellent light fastness at architectural quality. Maximum part length 16 ft.
• Blue Anodize (Type II Class 2) Blue dyed anodize (.0004"-.0006") with excellent light fastness; exact color match batch to batch can be difficult. Maximum part length 12 ft.
• Red Anodize (Type II Class 2) Red dyed anodize (.0004"-.0006") not recommended for outdoor applications; exact color match can be difficult. Maximum part length 7 ft.
• Trivalent Chromium (TCP) Conversion Coating (Type II) RoHS, WEEE, and ELV compliant chromate conversion coating per ASTM B 921, providing corrosion protection and paint adhesion while retaining electrical conductivity. Maximum length 12 ft.
• Chromate Conversion Coatings (Chem Film, Chromicoat, Alodine, Irridite) Chromate conversion coatings applied per AMS/MIL-DTL-5541 providing corrosion protection and paint adhesion with good electrical conductivity but low abrasion resistance.
• Chemical Pre-Finishing Services Pre-finishing preparation services including Vapor Degreaser (Trichloroethylene to remove oil-based lubricants from blind holes; company has agreed to cease TCE use), Soap (soaking to remove aqueous lubricants and light oils), Acid Deoxidizer (removes minor oxidation), and Caustic Etch (recommended prior to anodizing; removes small amount of material and helps satin out surface appearance).
• Critical Tolerances Service Process control service to manage dimensional changes in parts, including options for no dimension change, supporting precision engineering requirements.
• Masking/Plugging Service Masking as needed to provide grounding contact areas on anodized parts.
• Military Certification Service Certification to MIL-A-8625F Type II Classes 1 and 2 and MIL-DTL-5541F Types I and II Classes 1A and 3 standards, with monthly salt spray and wet tape tests performed by an outside lab at $10.00 per certification.
• Packaging/Shipping Service Packaging and shipping of finished parts via UPS or other delivery or freight services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Parts up to 20 feet in length can be processed
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• External Testing LaboratorycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party external laboratory performs monthly salt spray and wet tape tests to certify compliance to MIL, FED and ASTM Standards for military certification. This partnership enables Electro-Chem to offer MIL-A-8625F Type II and MIL-DTL-5541F certifications to defense contractors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pioneer Metal Finishing: Portland-area metal finisher providing anodizing, plating, and conversion coatings with overlapping service lines and direct competition in the same Pacific Northwest territory. Comparable mid-sized job-shop scale and vertical mix serving industrial and defense customers.
• Anoplate Corporation: San Jose, California-based metal finisher offering anodizing, chromate conversion, and passivation services to aerospace, medical, and defense customers. Closely comparable to Electro-Chem in process mix (MIL-spec anodize and chem film), end-market exposure, and job-shop service model.
• Linetec: Wausau, Wisconsin-based anodizing and painting service provider serving architectural, aerospace, and industrial customers. Comparable in offering Type II anodizing and architectural-grade clear finishes at scale for similar end markets.
• Hohman Plating & Manufacturing: Dayton, Ohio-based metal finisher offering anodizing, chromate conversion, and other plating services to aerospace and defense primes. Comparable in MIL-spec anodizing and chem film certifications, mid-market job-shop delivery model.
• Techmetals: Dayton, Ohio-based metal finishing and heat treating company offering anodizing, plating, and conversion coatings. Comparable in MIL-spec anodizing capabilities, defense/aerospace customer base, and specialty finishing service model.
• Precision Anodizing & Plating: California-based job-shop anodizer offering Type II and Type III anodizing plus chromate conversion coatings. Comparable in process portfolio, MIL-spec certifications, and serving aerospace, medical, and industrial customers.
• AAA Plating & Anodizing: California-based metal finisher providing anodizing, chromate conversion, and polishing services to industrial and aerospace customers. Comparable job-shop scale, process portfolio, and customer mix to Electro-Chem.

Broad incumbents

• Valence Surface Technologies: Largest independent aerospace surface treatment provider in North America, offering anodizing, chromate conversion, plating, and non-destructive testing across multiple facilities. Comparable in MIL-spec anodizing and chem film services but operates at a much larger national scale than Electro-Chem's single-site operation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/electro-chem-metal-finishing-inc.

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Electro-chem Metal Finishing