Galvanotechnik Kessel GmbH & Co. KG

What Galvanotechnik Kessel GmbH & Co. KG does

Galvanotechnik Kessel GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German industrial service provider specializing in galvanic (electroplating) and chemical surface coatings for metal components. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Vechelde near Braunschweig, the company operates two production facilities with three-shift capacity and can process components up to 1,300 x 2,800 x 500 mm. Its coating portfolio spans zinc-nickel (alkaline and acid), zinc-iron, zinc-alkaline, zinc-sour, hard chrome, electroless nickel (17-25 µm/h deposition rate), tin (matte/gloss) and tin alloys, copper, nickel, silver, and phosphating, with CrVI-free two-step passivation achieving thermal resistance up to 120°C for engine-compartment and brake-area automotive parts. Supporting services include production-synchronous Just-in-Time delivery, warehousing/logistics, and a proprietary Kessel DataXChange XML interface integrated with VDA and ENX electronic data interchange for automotive supply-chain partners.

The company serves four primary verticals: automotive (OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers requiring corrosion and thermal protection for engine, brake, and gas-carrying components), electrical and electronics (connectors, contacts, circuit boards, and solder components), mechanical engineering (wear-resistant hard chrome and chemical nickel coatings), and energy engineering (durable coatings for power generation and distribution equipment). It holds IATF 16949 automotive quality certification, ISO 14001 environmental management, and ISO 50001 energy management certifications, which collectively function as supplier qualification prerequisites for the German automotive supply chain.

Commercially, Galvanotechnik Kessel operates a direct, consultative B2B sales model with no public pricing and no e-commerce channel. All engagements are custom-quotation based, initiated via online inquiry forms or direct contact with the sales leadership (Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung / Vertriebsleitung). Revenue is generated through per-job transaction fees for coating services, supplemented by bundled logistics and EDI integration services. The company is managed by Managing Directors Bernd Buhse and Marc Schreckenberg, has no disclosed parent, subsidiaries, or external funding, and operates primarily within Germany, with management depth across production, quality, R&D/process engineering, disposition, and dual-study-trained industrial management staff.

Name

Galvanotechnik Kessel GmbH & Co. KG

Legal name

Galvanotechnik Kessel GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://galvanotechnik-kessel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Galvanotechnik Kessel is a German industrial service provider founded in 1970 that delivers galvanic and chemical surface coatings (zinc-nickel, hard chrome, electroless nickel, tin, copper, silver, phosphating) to automotive, electrical, mechanical engineering, and energy customers from two Vechelde production facilities operating in three shifts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Surface Coating Services

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

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

Keywords

• Electroplating services
• Metal surface coating
• Galvanic finishing
• Zinc-nickel plating
• Corrosion protection coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Vechelde

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Surface Coating Services (B2B): Custom galvanic and chemical surface coating services billed per project/job. Revenue is transaction-based, driven by customer-specific requirements for coating type, component size, volume, and complexity. No public pricing; all engagements are quotation-based.
2. Just-in-Time Production & Logistics Services: Production-synchronous delivery and warehousing/logistics services bundled with coating orders, supporting fluctuating quantity requirements and ensuring on-time delivery.
3. Electronic Data Exchange (EDI) Services: Paperless data communication via VDA/ENX EDI standards and proprietary Kessel DataXChange XML interface for order and delivery data exchange.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Galvanotechnik Kessel operates as a B2B subcontractor providing custom galvanic (electroplating) and chemical surface coatings for metal components used by automotive, electrical/electronics, mechanical engineering and energy engineering customers. The offering spans zinc-nickel, zinc-iron, alkaline and sour zinc, hard chrome, electroless nickel, tin (matte/gloss), tin alloys, copper, nickel, silver and phosphating, processed across two Vechelde production facilities in three-shift operation. Supporting services include JIT delivery/production, warehousing and logistics, and paperless EDI via VDA/ENX and the proprietary Kessel DataXChange XML interface.

Product overview

Galvanotechnik Kessel is a galvanic surface coating company offering a comprehensive portfolio of electroplating and chemical coating services. The core product line includes zinc-nickel, zinc-iron, zinc-alkaline, zinc-sour, hard chrome, chemically nickel, tin (matt/gloss), tin alloys, copper, nickel, silver, and phosphating coatings. They also offer customized coatings for special requirements. Supporting services include Just-in-Time delivery/production, warehouse & logistics, and Electronic Data Exchange (EDI) via VDA standards and their proprietary Kessel DataXChange interface. The company serves the automotive, electrical industry, mechanical engineering, and energy engineering sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zinc-Nickel Coating Zinc-nickel alloy coatings (85–90% zinc, 10–15% nickel) for automotive applications including engine compartments, brake areas and gas-carrying systems, offering thermal resistance up to 120°C and CrVI-free two-step passivation for highest corrosion resistance.
• Zinc-Iron Coating Zinc-iron coatings combining functional corrosion protection with attractive surface design, used in automotive, electrical, equipment, mechanical engineering and metal processing applications.
• Zinc-Alkaline Coating Cyanide-free alkaline zinc plating offering excellent metal distribution and gloss with increased layer thickness in deepens and undercuts for improved red-rust resistance.
• Zinc-Sour Coating Zinc-sour coatings characterized by special brilliance with additional seals for improved corrosion protection and enhanced appearance.
• Hard Chrome Coating Functional hard chrome layer providing maximum corrosion resistance, high micro hardness, chemical resistance, thermal resilience and visual metallic luster across industrial production applications.
• Chemically Nickel (Electroless Nickel) Coating Electroless nickel coatings providing uniform surface coverage on complex-shaped components, with high corrosion resistance, wear resistance and chemical insensitivity at a deposition rate of 17–25 µm/h.
• Tin Coating (Matt/Gloss) Galvanic tinning producing silver-white, ductile layers in matte or high-gloss finish with excellent solderability and electrical conductivity, suitable for food and potable water applications.
• Tin Alloy Coating Tin alloys for electronic applications including circuit boards, plug-in connections, solder contacts and precision mechanical components, with lead-free alloy options available.
• Copper Coating Copper coatings serving as a basis for further galvanic surfaces such as nickel or chromium, with acid copper options for decorative purposes and cyanide electrolyte options for stronger layers on cast-zinc and steel.
• Nickel Coating Nickel coatings fulfilling requirements in technical and decorative sectors, used alone or in combination with other metals such as chromium, with relatively hard surfaces and good wear resistance.
• Silver Coating Silver coatings providing brilliant shine with high abrasion resistance (0.5–30 µm thickness) and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity for electrical contacts and high-reflectance applications.
• Phosphating Phosphating treatments used as pretreatment for organic and inorganic coatings, providing temporary corrosion protection or improving mechanical surface properties when combined with oiling.
• Customized Coatings Special coatings and additional processing beyond standard methods, accommodating unusual packaging requests and other special requirements within the firm's capabilities.
• Just-in-Time Delivery / Production Logistics concept reducing customer stocks and costs to a minimum with production-synchronous delivery; goods are ready exactly when needed and go immediately into the customer's production process.
• Warehouse & Logistics Temporary storage of processed products, handling short-term fluctuating quantity requirements and ensuring on-time delivery.
• Electronic Data Exchange (EDI) Paperless data communication via VDA EDI standards and the ENX network for secure transmission of large data volumes, including the proprietary Kessel DataXChange XML interface for order and delivery data exchange with automotive partners.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Förderverein der Feuerwehr Vechelde-Wahle e.V.minorOthers · 1 January 2015Galvanotechnik Kessel donated to the fire department support association to procure an innovative rapid rescue system (SRS) for the Vechelde-Wahle fire department. This is a charitable community engagement, not a commercial partnership.
• Lehndorfer TSV (C-Junioren)minorOthers · 1 January 2015Sponsorship of the C-Junior football team of Lehndorfer TSV with training apparel. Team remained unbeaten in all friendly and championship matches and achieved promotion.
• VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V.)coreTechnology or IntegrationGalvanotechnik Kessel uses VDA-compliant electronic data interchange (EDI) for paperless data communication. The VDA is the largest common interest group of German automobile manufacturers and their suppliers. This integration enables seamless order and delivery data exchange within the automotive supply chain.
• ENX Association (European Network Exchange)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe European Network Exchange (ENX) established by the automotive industry enables secure transmission of large data volumes, enabling optimal networking between vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and global development and manufacturing plants.
• Welfenakademie BraunschweigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual study partnership in Industrial Management (Industriemanagement) with the Welfenakademie Braunschweig. Galvanotechnik Kessel offers combined dual study and vocational training programs for students.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bodycote plc: UK-listed provider of heat treatment and surface technology services (including hot isostatic pressing, brazing and selected coatings) to automotive, aerospace and industrial OEMs worldwide. A broad incumbent with overlapping metal-surface-treatment services.
• Aalberts Surface Technologies: Division of Aalberts N.V. providing industrial surface treatments including electroplating, heat treatment and hot isostatic pressing across Europe. Comparable as a large European galvanic/coating service provider to automotive, mechanical engineering and energy customers.
• Oerlikon Balzers: Oerlikon Balzers is a global incumbent in PVD/CVD and other surface solutions serving automotive, tooling and industrial markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent overlapping with Kessel's functional coating portfolio.

Others

• SurTec International (Freudenberg): Subsidiary of Freudenberg Group supplying chemistry and processes for electroplating and surface finishing. Comparable as an upstream chemistry/technology supplier to the same electroplating ecosystem Kessel serves.
• Atotech (Element Solutions): Element Solutions subsidiary providing plating chemistry, equipment and process know-how for the global electroplating industry. Comparable as a chemistry/process licensor to the same electroplating job-shop customers.

Direct peers

• HEF Group: French-headquartered specialist in surface engineering and tribology, offering PVD, DLC, thermochemical and electroplating services to automotive, mechanical and aerospace customers across Europe. Directly comparable mid-/large-sized surface treatment services peer.
• IMO Oberflächentechnik GmbH: German surface technology specialist offering electroplating, painting and assembly services to automotive and industrial customers. Directly comparable mid-sized German coater with similar service breadth and customer verticals.

Regional players

• Nussbaum Matzingen AG: Swiss mid-sized electroplating service provider focused on zinc, zinc-nickel and functional coatings for automotive and industrial customers. Comparable service portfolio and customer mix, but primarily serving Switzerland rather than Germany.
• Munk + Flury AG: Swiss job-shop electroplater offering zinc, zinc-nickel, tin and decorative coatings to industrial customers. Comparable as a regional galvanic services peer with overlapping chemistries.

Emerging players

• Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG: German supplier of corrosion-protection coating systems (zinc flake, KTL) used in automotive fastener and chassis applications. Comparable as an adjacent emerging player in functional metal coatings targeting overlapping automotive customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/galvanotechnik_kessel
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Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Galvanotechnik Kessel GmbH & Co. KG