Kroil / Kano Labs

What Kroil / Kano Labs does

Kano Laboratories LLC is a privately held specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1939 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company develops and markets a portfolio of industrial-grade penetrating oils, lubricants, rust removers, degreasers, and fuel treatments sold primarily under the Kroil brand, alongside sister brands Super Lube (synthetic food-grade lubricants), DeoxIT/CAIG (electronic connectivity treatments), and Triboscience & Engineering (custom tribology solutions, acquired in 2024). The flagship product, Kroil Original Penetrant, has been on the market since 1939 and is offered in liquid and aerosol formats, supported by specialized variants such as Silikroil (silicone-enhanced), Penephite (graphite, rated to 700°F), Pyrolube (rated to 1359°F, used by the U.S. Military), Microil (precision, rated to -50°F), Exrust (chemical rust remover), Kreen (fuel treatment), and the 2024 launch Kroil Clear (NSF-H1/Kosher food-grade). The full product line is 50-State VOC compliant.

The company operates a 100% channel-based go-to-market, with no direct sales force of meaningful scale. Products are distributed through 12+ major US industrial distributors (Grainger, Fastenal, McMaster-Carr, MSC Industrial, Motion Industries), automotive parts retailers (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto Parts), mass market home centers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart), and e-commerce (Amazon, Amazon Business), with documented sales into Canada. End customers span industrial manufacturing and MRO, professional automotive repair, aviation MRO, fleet, food & beverage processing, HVAC, oil & gas, rail, and consumer DIY. The company operates as a going concern with no public filings, no disclosed funding rounds, and no parent company; ownership is private and not disclosed.

The revenue model is one-time unit sales of chemical products sold in sizes ranging from small retail containers (3oz, 8oz, 10oz) to industrial bulk (5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums), with 86 product SKUs across the Kroil line. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Supporting marketing includes email, paid digital media (Microsoft Ads, Google AdSense, Facebook, TikTok), HubSpot marketing automation, YouTube product demonstration videos, and a customer review sweepstakes. The combined effect of brand heritage, proprietary formulations, regulatory certifications, and ubiquitous channel presence has produced a stable, cash-generative specialty chemicals business with modest recent expansion into food-grade and engineered solutions.

Name

Kroil / Kano Labs

Legal name

Kano Laboratories LLC

Website

https://kroil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kano Laboratories LLC, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a privately held specialty chemical manufacturer of industrial penetrating oils, lubricants, rust removers, and degreasers sold under the Kroil brand through 12+ US and Canadian distributors and retailers including Grainger, Fastenal, AutoZone, Home Depot, and Amazon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Lubricants and Penetrating Oils: Sale of chemical maintenance products including penetrating oils, rust removers, degreasers, and industrial lubricants to B2B industrial customers, automotive professionals, and B2C consumers through distribution partners and retail channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels12 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Kano Laboratories manufactures and sells the Kroil family of professional-grade chemical maintenance products, including penetrating oils, industrial lubricants, rust removers, degreasers, and fuel treatments. The flagship Kroil Original Penetrant is designed to loosen rusted nuts, bolts, frozen shafts, and corroded metal parts, with specialty variants for food-grade (NSF-H1/Kosher), high-temperature, silicone, and graphite applications. Products are sold in retail sizes (3-16.5 oz) and industrial volumes (5-gallon, 55-gallon drums) through industrial distributors, automotive retailers, and mass-market home centers.

Product overview

Kroil / Kano Laboratories is a chemical products company offering a portfolio of industrial-grade penetrating oils, lubricants, rust removers, and cleaning solvents. The core product is Kroil® Original Penetrant (available in liquid/drip and Aerokroil aerosol formats), which is complemented by specialized variants including Silikroil® (with silicone for extended lubrication), Penephite® (with graphite for high-temperature applications up to 700°F), and Kroil Clear® (food-grade formula meeting NSF-H1 and Kosher standards). Additional products include Kreen® (fuel treatment), Floway® (degreaser), Microil® (precision instrument lubricant), Pyrolube® (high-temperature lubricant to 1359°F), and Exrust® (rust remover). Products are sold in various sizes from small retail containers (3 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz) to industrial quantities (5 gallon, 55 gallon drums). The company operates as a division of Kano Laboratories LLC alongside Super Lube, DeoxIT, and Triboscience & Engineering brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kroil: Iconic brand of penetrating oils, degreasers, and fuel additives, including Kroil Original Penetrant, Aerokroil, Silikroil, Penephite, Kreen, Floway, Microil, Pyrolube, and Exrust.
• Super Lube
• DeoxIT
• Triboscience & Engineering

Products and services

• Kroil Original Penetrant Professional-grade penetrating oil in liquid and aerosol (Aerokroil) formats that loosens rusted nuts and bolts, frozen shafts, pulleys, and other corroded metal parts. Penetrates small spaces and threads, attacks corrosion, and removes rust and carbon deposits without damaging base metal. Trusted since 1939 by industrial, automotive, and DIY users.
• Kroil Clear Food Grade Penetrating Oil Food-safe penetrating oil meeting NSF-H1 and Kosher standards. Odorless and non-staining formula designed for planned and unplanned maintenance on food processing and packaging equipment, as well as equipment disassembly. Targeted at food and beverage manufacturers requiring regulatory-compliant lubrication.
• Silikroil (Kroil Penetrant with Silicone) Penetrating oil blended with dimethyl silicone for extra long-lasting lubrication and rust prevention. Designed for frozen bearings, slides, gate valves, hinges, chains, and coastal/salt-exposure environments requiring superior penetration plus molecular-level lubrication.
• Penephite (Kroil Penetrant with Graphite) High-temperature penetrating oil blended with graphite that provides lasting lubrication up to 700°F (371°C). Graphite adheres to metal for continued protection. Designed to penetrate the smallest gaps of corroded metals to loosen seized parts in elevated-temperature applications.
• Kreen (Gas & Oil Treatment) All-in-one gas and oil treatment for gasoline and diesel engines that dissolves sludge, gum, and varnish; softens and removes excess carbon from valve stems and piston grooves; cleans crankcases, injectors, and oil lines. Improves compression and increases gas mileage.
• Floway (Grease-Cutting Solvent/Degreaser) Powerful grease-cutting solvent that penetrates, dissolves, and removes grease, tar, ink, asphalt, oil, dirt, grime, carbon, and gunk. Used for cleaning greasy equipment, engines, parts, tools, brake lines and drums. Free of chlorinated solvents and will not attack painted surfaces.
• Microil (Precision Instrument Lubricant) Long-lasting precision instrument lubricant for bearings and mechanisms in precision instruments, gauges, meters, clocks, micrometers, counters, controls, firearms, light machinery, and office machines. Low-viscosity, low-evaporation formula that lubricates to -50°F and will not gum.
• Pyrolube (High Temperature Lubricant) High-temperature industrial lubricant providing smooth, graphoid-lubricated surfaces at temperatures up to 1359°F (700°C). Will not drip or form abrasive particles. Used by the U.S. Military for industrial furnaces, kiln cars, conveyor systems, rotary kilns, and baking ovens.
• Exrust (Industrial Strength Rust Remover) Industrial-strength rust remover that penetrates and chemically reacts with rust to quickly remove it from all ferrous metal surfaces without harming base steel or iron. After treatment, any type of finish can be applied.
• Aerokroil with SprayTech Aerosol Aerosol delivery format of Kroil Original Penetrant featuring SprayTech technology that allows spraying from any angle, including upside down. Targeted at professional mechanics and industrial users needing convenient overhead or awkward-position application.

Quantifiable outcome

• Removes stuck bolt on private aircraft costing upwards of $5,000 in potential damage
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Super LubecoreTechnology or IntegrationSuper Lube is a division of Kano Laboratories offering premium synthetic, food-grade lubricants for optimal machinery performance. Both brands are part of the same corporate family under Kano Laboratories, LLC.
• DeoxIT (CAIG Laboratories)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeoxIT is a division of Kano Laboratories providing electronic connectivity treatments for mission-critical applications. Part of the corporate family of brands.
• Triboscience & EngineeringcoreTechnology or IntegrationTriboscience & Engineering was acquired by Kano Laboratories, offering custom lubrication solutions for complex engineering challenges.
• TSE (Triboscience & Engineering)coreTechnology or IntegrationTSE provides custom lubrication solutions for complex engineering challenges as part of the Kano Laboratories family of brands.
• GraingercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor industrial distributor selling Kroil products to MRO customers in manufacturing, facilities, and industrial sectors across the United States.
• FastenalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial fasteners and supplies distributor with strong presence in manufacturing and construction, distributing Kroil products.
• AutoZonecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomotive parts retailer selling Kroil products to professional mechanics and DIY consumers through retail stores.
• Home DepotcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMass market home improvement retailer selling Kroil products reaching broad consumer base for household and automotive maintenance.
• Amazon BusinessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorE-commerce marketplace for business customers to purchase Kroil products online.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Kroil / Kano Labs