What NLS Products does

NLS Products is a privately held wholesale distributor headquartered in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada, founded in 1989 and operating for over 35 years from a 20,000-square-foot facility. The company distributes chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, and diagnostic test strips to retail stores, auto parts shops, hardware stores, and similar B2B customers across Canada. With approximately 5 employees, NLS describes itself as "a small business in a small town distributing to local businesses." The company holds exclusive Canadian wholesale distribution rights for Fluid Film (wool-wax-based rust and corrosion protection) and LiquiTube (tire sealant), which anchor its portfolio.

The product portfolio centers on rust prevention and corrosion protection, with Fluid Film and its variants (Fluid Film Black, Fluid Film Industrial) as the flagship line. Complementary offerings include LiquiTube tire sealant, Rust Destroyer (a patented rust-converting primer), Tech Steel epoxy putty, AcuStrip fluid diagnostic test strips, Northland Chemicals cleaning products, and Gloozit/X-Treme Tape repair products. The company also distributes application equipment including high-pressure fogger pumps, pail hand pump sprayers, and pressurized sprayers designed for Fluid Film application. End markets span automotive, industrial, agricultural, marine, construction, landscaping, and home maintenance sectors, served through a horizontal segmentation approach rather than vertical specialization.

NLS operates a traditional wholesale distribution model, purchasing branded products from manufacturers at wholesale and reselling at markup to retail buyers who contact the company directly via email or phone for pricing and orders. End consumers access products through the retail partners that stock NLS-distributed brands rather than through direct channels. The go-to-market relies on a content-driven Squarespace website with educational blog posts targeting specific use cases (vehicle undercoating, tire protection, mower maintenance) and downloadable resources including the Spring Maintenance Catalogue and Ultimate Guide to Undercoating. Revenue mechanics are anchored in physical product distribution with quote-based pricing, no subscription component, and no disclosed revenue transparency.

Name

NLS Products

Legal name

NLS Products

Website

https://nlsproducts.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NLS Products is a Canadian wholesale distributor of chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, and test strips, selling exclusively to retail stores and auto parts shops across Canada. Founded 1989, it holds exclusive Canadian distribution rights for Fluid Film and LiquiTube.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bobcaygeon

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Product Distribution: NLS Products generates revenue by purchasing branded chemical, lubricant, adhesive, and test strip products from manufacturers at wholesale prices and selling them at markup to retail stores, auto parts shops, and other B2B customers across Canada. The company stocks and distributes products including Fluid Film, LiquiTube, Rust Destroyer, Tech Steel, and various Northland Chemical products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NLS Products is a Canadian wholesale distributor that supplies chemical, lubricant, adhesive, and test strip products to retail stores, auto parts shops, and other B2B customers across Canada. The company distributes a curated portfolio of trusted third-party brands including Fluid Film (rust and corrosion protection), LiquiTube (tire sealant), Rust Destroyer (rust-converting primer), Tech Steel (epoxy putty), and Acustrip diagnostic test strips, operating from a 20,000-square-foot facility in Bobcaygeon, Ontario for over 35 years.

Product overview

NLS Products is a wholesale distributor of trusted chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, and test strips, primarily serving the Canadian market. The product portfolio centers on rust prevention and corrosion protection solutions, with Fluid Film (including Fluid Film Black and Fluid Film Industrial variants) as the flagship undercoating product line. Complementary products include LiquiTube for tire sealant applications, Rust Destroyer for rust conversion, and Tech Steel epoxy putty for repairs. The company also distributes diagnostic test strips, cleaning supplies, and Fluid Film-compatible spray equipment including high pressure fogger pumps, pail hand pump sprayers, and pressurized sprayers. Products serve automotive, industrial, agricultural, marine, and home maintenance sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fluid Film

Quantifiable outcome

• Single Fluid Film application provides up to a year of undercarriage protection
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Fluid Film (Manufacturer Brand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLS Products is the Canadian wholesale distributor for Fluid Film products, including Fluid Film, Fluid Film Black, and Fluid Film Industrial. Fluid Film is a solvent-free, non-toxic, wool-wax-based rust and corrosion protection solution.
• LiquiTube (Manufacturer Brand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLS Products distributes LiquiTube tire sealant products, which instantly seal punctures and extend tire life. LiquiTube is positioned as NLS's choice for permanent, premium tire protection.
• Rust Destroyer (Manufacturer Brand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLS Products distributes Rust Destroyer, a patented one-step rust-converting coating that eliminates the need for sandblasting or harsh chemicals. The product is used across automotive, construction, and industrial applications.
• Tech Steel (Manufacturer Brand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLS Products distributes Tech Steel, a steel-reinforced epoxy putty for permanent repairs across automotive, marine, plumbing, and home use. Sets in 15 minutes, cures in 1 hour.
• AcuStrip (Manufacturer Brand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLS Products distributes AcuStrip fluid diagnostic test strips for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles, testing coolant, brake fluid, pH levels, and glycol in various engine fluids.
• Northland Chemicals (Manufacturer Brand)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNLS Products distributes Northland Chemicals products including glass cleaner, foam cleaners, white grease, and lubricants.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Brenntag: World's largest chemical distribution company offering industrial and specialty chemicals across global markets. Brenntag is comparable as a wholesale chemical distributor with overlapping end markets (automotive, industrial, agriculture), though it operates at vastly greater scale and breadth than NLS.
• Univar Solutions: Major global chemical and ingredient distributor serving industrial, automotive, and consumer-product customers. Univar is comparable in business model (specialty chemical distribution to B2B customers) but with a much broader product portfolio and geographic footprint than NLS.
• Calumet, Inc. Manufacturer and distributor of specialty fuels, lubricants, and chemicals. Calumet is comparable through its lubricants and chemicals distribution business that overlaps with NLS's Fluid Film and rust protection product categories.
• Hawkins, Inc. U.S. specialty chemical and ingredient distributor serving industrial, water treatment, and pharmaceutical customers. Hawkins is comparable as a specialty chemical wholesaler with overlapping industrial customer segments, though it operates at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• RelaDyne: U.S. specialty distributor of lubricants, fuels, and chemicals serving industrial and automotive customers. RelaDyne is comparable to NLS in its focus on lubricants and chemicals distribution, with a similar model of selling through to retail and shop accounts in specific geographies.
• Lawes Company: Specialty distributor of automotive and industrial chemicals, lubricants, and maintenance products. Lawes is comparable to NLS as a specialty wholesale distributor serving auto parts retailers and industrial accounts with a similar product mix of chemicals and lubricants.
• ChemStation: Regional U.S. specialty chemical and lubricant distributor serving industrial, automotive, and janitorial customers. ChemStation is comparable in operating a regional specialty distribution model with focus on lubricants and chemicals to commercial customers.

Regional players

• Parkland Corporation: Canadian fuel and lubricant marketer and distributor operating across Canada. Parkland is comparable as a Canada-headquartered specialty distributor in adjacent product categories (lubricants, chemicals) where NLS also operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nls-products

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 NLS Products