Anochrome Group

UK Licence for Geomet

Anochrome Group — 06/04/2023

The Anochrome Group holds the UK licence for GEOMET.

GEOMET is an highly advanced zinc flake coating that offers high corrosion resistance.

Excellent for use in Automotive, Wind Energy, Rail and many more sectors.

Our expertise in GEOMET zinc flake coating enables us to process to the highest standards in quality and durabilty, meeting customers business requirements.

Anochrome's Technical Seminars Return

Anochrome Group — 18/03/2013

The Anochrome Group will be holding their 2013 technical seminar at The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire on 26th of June. The annual seminars focus on the latest technologies in the wide range of corrosion protection systems available today.

Further details on the day’s sessions will be released shortly and will include guest speakers from major coating manufacturers as well as a group of technical personnel.

The talks will focus on a broad range of the latest developments in coatings and processing technologies; such as new ultra high performance zinc flake systems (new to the UK), high volume processing lines, thermal diffusion developments, heat resistance decorative coatings, new sealing and locking systems, anodising and an update on the latest thoughts on REACH and EEC requirements.

Places are limited to industrial professionals, however please visit the web site www.anochrome.com for further details.

Anochrome Have it all Covered with Investment in Facilities

Anochrome Group — 18/03/2013

Anochrome Technologies Ltd, the specialist surface coating division of The Anochrome Group is undergoing developments to improve their facilities. Located at its Bloxwich plant, near Walsall, the facility is currently upgrading its hard anodising facility and dip drain facility.

The facility is set to include a new hot seal capability. The modification also includes improvements to the plant program control to enable even greater flexibility to the type and specification of customer products.

This is the first upgrade to the plant since commissioning eight years ago, during which time millions of parts have successfully being anodised or passivated. Such modifications allow Anochrome Technologies to meet the requirements of customers such as BMW and the VW group and maintain the plant’s position as one of the premier trade anodising facilities in the UK. The new tank is expected to be fully functional and in use by June of this year.

The Bloxwich site has also seen a new Dip Drain facility installed. The plant, which has a fully automatic cleaning, drying and dip operation is now supplemented by flexible supplementary or additional operation, situated alongside the line.

The installation of this line is as a result of growing volumes of work and varied requirement from their customers. The improvements, with automated pre-treatment facilities will enable the coating of larger items or items requiring a duplex finish. This will further expand the range of products the Anochrome Group can coat including brackets, pressings, large fasteners and tubular components.

Dorken©Delta KL100 is the first material chosen for this line, although the flexibility of the plant allow for quick material change over and the potential to run two materials simultaneously. Other zinc flake and organic materials such as Geomet©and Xylan© together with top coats will be offered when the need arises.

The plant is capable of dipping items within an envelope of 600mm x 600mm x 750mm deep, or for large spray application this is increased to 1500mm x 600m x 750mm deep.

The investments at Anochrome Technologies Ltd. is part of the programme the Anochrome Group has in place to provide ever more cost effective coatings with higher specification finishes and greater flexibility in matching their customers’ requirements.

The Anochrome Group have already been successful in being part of the supply chain for Jaguar Land Rover. Many components coated by The Anochrome Group in corrosion resistant finishes, sealing and locking systems, such as Dorken and Magni materials, are now featured in the latest Range Rover model.

Anochrome expands range of products available from dip spin and spray facilities

Anochrome Group — 15/07/2013

The Anochrome Group would like to announce the introduction of Lafre Zinc Flake materials from Nihon Ruspert Co. Ltd as an addition to the range of products already available from the groups Dip spin and Spray facilities.

The Lafre material has shown under production conditions to be able to produce exceptional salt spray results with a 28gm 2 coatings of over 3000 hours ASTM B117 possible from the Lafre LB Coatings on a 2 coat dip spin process and over 2000 hours with a 10 um single coat spray process on aluminium oxide blasted fasteners. The performance can be even further enhanced with the addition of a clear black top coat.

The material is compatible with the range of micro en-capsulated adhesives and thread sealant available from InLex Locking Limited and Anocote cz and Rimlex under heat sealants. The processed surface coefficient of 0.12-0.18 is in the middle of the normal range of specified coating so no additional torque modifying top coats would normally be required for Lafre LB.

Lafre LB has a cure temperature of 200 c and is suitable for use on fasteners, clips, brackets and studs both large and small and in line with the range of Zinc Flake finishes available from the Anochrome Group such as Geomet Magni Doerken and Atotech materials which are none embrittling.

This new finish is available as a dip spin coating from Wolverhampton Electroplating Ltd and Anocote cz and as a spray or dip drain coating from Anochrome Technologies Ltd. If you require further information please email Lafre@anochrome.co.uk

precote

Anochrome Group — 16/09/2015

The Anochrome Group are please to be an approved applicator of precote products and stock the majority of the precote product line for application via our automated in house equipment, in the UK at Inlex Locking ltd and in the Czech republic at Anocote o.s.

precote has recently added Top 300 PE wax coating for controlled thread forming and thread friction to their range as a future replacement for Nytorq material.

Founded 35 years ago omniTECHNIK Mikroverkapselungs GmbH has become a market leader in micro-encapsulation technology for adhesives. Being a very innovative company their success throughout the world market is a direct result of their wide base of knowledge and experience, a range of excellent products followed up with first class service.

Contact Inlex-Locking Ltd Wood Lane Fordhouses Wolverhampton WV10 8HN Email: sales@inlexltd.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1902 397300 Fax: +44 (0)1902 785372 or Anocote Limited Czech Republic branch o.s.
Nachodska 626, Plotite nad Labem, 50101 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, Email: sales@anocote.cz, Tel: +420 495 221 331, Fax: +420 495 221 334

ZEC888 – new top coat system

Anochrome Group — 28/11/2013

ZEC-888 is a new chrome free coating from the specialist Italian coating manufacturers Glomax, originally developed and patented by Seimitsu Kako Kenkyusho HSK-Hoden Co., Ltd.

The material is a Solvent-based product with silicon nano technology. When applied produces a thin transparent coating with wound healing properties for a high protection against corrosion.

The ZEC-888 improves the corrosion resistance of zinc and its alloys, by inhibiting the white corrosion of the zinc and thus increasing the resistance to red rust of the iron below. Once applied the ZEC-888 on the surface of zinc forms a reaction layer between zinc

and the ZEC-888 producing a strong chemical bond. The total thickness of the coating of zinc is around 1 micron.

Neutral salt spray tests have confirmed its exceptional corrosion resistance with a resistance to white rust of 200-400 hours and the red rust of 720-1000 hours that depends on the type of object, the thickness of zinc and the presence or absence of passivation between the zinc and ZEC-888.

Due to its very low viscosity, easily avoids the problems of filling of the recess.

ZEC-888 can be used on:-

1) Electrolytic Zinc and Zinc Nickel

2) Mechanical Zinc plating

3) Zinc Die Cast

4) Passivated Zinc

5) Zinc Flakes

Aquisition of Prelok Ltd

Anochrome Group — 13/01/2014

Inlex Locking ltd part of The Anochrome Group has acquired the UK assets and goodwill of Prelok ltd. The Intention is to carry on the operation at Willenhall in the short term to assist with the integration of Prelok into The Anochrome Group.

For details of available products and services from Inlex Locking ltd or from Prelok ltd please contact our technical team on enquiries@anochrome-group.co.uk

or contact Inlex Locking ltd.

Tel: +44 (0)1902 397300 Fax: +44 (0)1902 785372

THE ADVANTAGES OF MECHANICAL PLATING

Anochrome Group — 02/03/2020

Mechanical plating, which also goes by the name of peen plating, mechanical deposition, or impact plating, is a plating process that imparts the coating by cold welding fine metal particles to a workpiece. It's a fascinating process that can help the manufacturing sector, but do you know what the advatages of it are?

Today, the Anochrome Group describe to use what they believe the benefits of Mechanical plating. To start with they state that this method offers;

No residual hydrogen embrittlement.
Uniform coating-galling reduced for threaded components.
Porous substrates can be coated satisfactorily.
Ideal for sintered components, which normally require surface preparation to stop ingress of aqueous solutions into pores.
Cost effective replacement for galvanising.

Mixed metal coatings can be supplied with specific advantages such as ductility or high corrosion resistance, especially under certain environments or in contact with other metals.

These include Zinc, Tin, Almac and Inverplex.

ALMAC

Almac® coatings are combinations of aluminium and zinc which give substantially increased corrosion resistance compared with zinc. They are more ductile than zinc and are very advantageous when used in contact with aluminium.

INVERPLEX

Inverplex® is a mixed coating of zinc and tin that has better conductivity(and corrosion resistance) than zinc. It may be supplied passivated and is used for earthing screws.

The components to be coated are placed into a tumbling barrel containing glass beads, reagents and catalysts, which activate and prepare the surface. The coating to be applied is added, in metallic powder form and glass beads of varying sizes ‘cold weld’ the coating on to the activated surface of the component. Similar passivates to electroplating are then applied, prior to drying the parts, lubricants may also be added as part of this process. Mechanical zinc can be used as an undercoat to enhance the performance of organic paint systems.

BARREL

The barrel plating process involves placing the items to be coated in a perforated barrel-shaped cage that is manufactured from nonconductive material. The barrel is then submerged into a series of tanks containing the appropriate chemical solutions, while a slow tumbling action is used to commence the plating action. This is a very cost effective method of coating parts but may not be suitable for large or complex parts.

People, Precision and Progress: The Secret Behind Anochrome Group’s Continued Growth

Anochrome Group — 17/04/2025

For nearly 80 years, Anochrome Group has been pushing the boundaries of surface finishing – steadily building one of the UK’s most respected independent metal coating businesses.

Rooted in the Midlands and expanding into Europe, the company has grown with purpose, combining deep technical expertise with long-term investment and a people-first approach.

Now, with a renewed sense of momentum and a clear strategy for the future, Group CEO, Mark Jones and his team are ready to share a story that’s long been unfolding behind the scenes – one of resilience, reinvention and a quiet ambition turning bold.

Mark Jones promoted to Anochrome Group Chief Executive after rising through the ranks since 2016.

Scaling with Purpose: From Wolverhampton to Warsaw

Anochrome’s story began in 1946 with a small chrome and nickel-plating unit in Wolverhampton, not far from the town centre. From those early foundations, the business expanded through a mix of organic growth and savvy acquisitions.

The company quickly developed a reputation as a technical pioneer. By 1980, it was the first in the UK to operate zinc flake coating systems like Dacromet and to introduce Polyseal processes. Anochrome later acquired Inlex Locking, bringing a unique “plate and patch” capability that integrated thread locking and sealing under one roof - a distinctive advantage that remains central to its portfolio today.

While others hesitated during the 2008 financial crash, Anochrome doubled down, investing in new sites in Poland and the Czech Republic to diversify its reach, strengthen its supply chain and serve European customers more effectively.

“We’re still fully committed to automotive but it’s about resilience,” says Mark. “We’ve gone from 90% automotive to around 60% - not by shrinking but by growing in new sectors like rail, wind energy, nuclear and soon aerospace.”

Today, the group operates six sites – four in the UK, plus Poland and Czech Republic – and employs around 250 people.

Growth and Investment, the Anochrome Way

Anochrome’s growth is steady by design, built on expanding what it can deliver, not chasing attention.

“We’re not corporate, but we take a professional, long-term view,” says Mark. “We’re as proud of investing in our people, environment and sites as we are in machinery and technology.”

That ethos is clear across the group. From directors working toward MBAs to site managers completing IOSH safety training, investment in skills runs deep. “We’ve got training happening at every level,” Mark adds. “From basic literacy to advanced auditing, it’s part of our culture.”

The same principle drives Anochrome’s approach to automation. New robotic lines, bespoke machines, and smart environmental controls are being introduced one site at a time.

“You finish the automation cycle at one facility then shift focus to the next,” says Mark. “It’s how we maintain momentum without overwhelming the team.”

Production Supervisor Ewelina Lewocka and Quality Engineer Richard Doody completed the national leadership programme in under 18 months.

Smarter Factories, Greener Operations

The results of this approach are already visible. Anochrome’s Walsall site recently saw a major upgrade, including cutting-edge machinery to modernise one of its largest bays. The investment boosted capacity, throughputs and product quality, while cutting energy, gas and water usage, and improving waste management and working conditions.

Wolverhampton Electro Plating (WEP) and Inlex Locking also saw a major leap forward, following the strategic acquisition of assets, licenses and skilled staff from the Electrolytic Plating Company (EPC). Anochrome saved 14 jobs, brought in new team members and brought all acquired equipment into full operation - strengthening both sites’ capabilities and securing customer continuity.

The team at Anocote Czech Republic is installing a new automated pre-treatment plant, promising major gains in both productivity and environmental impact. A new robotic dip-spin unit is also under development, representing another leap forward in automation and performance.

Across the group, continued investments reflect a deep commitment to sustainability. From upgrading infrastructure and expanding its electric vehicle fleet to reducing energy and water consumption, Anochrome is taking tangible steps to reduce its environmental impact. “It’s not just about ticking compliance boxes,” says Mark. “It’s about making smart investments that reduce cost, impact and improve our long-term competitiveness.”

"We’re creating environments people want to work in – brighter, safer and more welcoming. That’s how you retain talent and build a team that takes pride in what they do."

Quiet No More – Leading with Intention

Anochrome has traditionally let its performance speak for itself. But as the company approaches its 80th anniversary, the team is adopting a new approach.

“We’ve always kept a low profile,” Mark reflects. “But we’re starting to realise the value of sharing what we do, not to boast, but to connect, inspire and take pride in our progress.”

Ilona Pitt, Director at Made in Group agrees. During a recent visit to Anochrome’s head office, she met with Mark Jones, along with Denis Rainbird, General Manager at WEP and Kev Walton, Director of Thread Locking, Sealing and Purchasing – all playing critical roles in the company’s forward momentum.

“What struck me wasn’t just the scale of investment,” Ilona says, “but the intention behind it - better working conditions, greener practices, and building long-term resilience. Anochrome is exactly the kind of British manufacturing story that deserves to be told - ambitious, grounded and doing things the right way.”

Anocote.pl

Anochrome Group — 16/09/2015

Anocote Poland established at the start of the year at Lancut in the South East of Poland is now operational.

Anocote Poland also features the groups latest investment in the form of a ZT100ML Sedasa dipspin machine for the production of high quality Zinc flake coating
The ZT-100ML features an automated robotic load and unload feature for bulk production plus a manual load station for small orders or awkward parts.
The machine is initially running Geomet 500 materials on a comprehensive range of fasteners of varying lengths and diameters.

For more information on availability and capacity please contact jan.houstek@anocote.cz