This year marks 20 years in business for Denver, NC-based Calico Coatings. Located in Balsom Ridge Business Park, Calico has been a staple in the community that has set a standard for local business success.

Calico Coatings was founded by racers, for racers. Tracy Trotter, owner and a racer himself, set out to develop the industry’s most technologically advanced coatings — with the ability to withstand the extreme conditions of high speed and engine wear. Calico quickly gained a reputation as the leader in the coatings industry by working with race teams and engine builders to solve issues of friction, wear, heat and corrosion.

Trotter started the company with a little help from a special friend, his grandmother. “After working in the industry for several years I knew I could do this for myself. So, with the little savings I had and a small loan from my grandmother, I opened the doors of Calico Coatings”. Starting with only two employees Calico has now grown to 33 employees running two shifts in order to meet the growing demands of their customers.

Over the past 20 years, the Calico team has worked relentlessly to maintain their reputation as the highest quality coating company in the industry and to remain on the cutting edge of coating technology, including advances in thin films. “Our goal is to be the best in the coating business when it comes to quality,” said General Manager Russ Salerno. “I have been blessed with an unbelievable team of people at Calico Coatings and each one of them are the reason for our success through the years.”

When many small businesses struggle to keep afloat, Calico has been able to successfully navigate through the financial challenges of the recent years. “We are poised to have the best year in the history of the company, said Trotter. “It’s really exciting to see this happening on the company’s 20th anniversary year.”

After 10 years in the coatings business, Calico expanded their operation by adding a laboratory dedicated to the research and development of new coatings, including diamond-like coatings. By the end of 2012, to keep up with the growing demands of their customers, Calico combined their operation into what is now their headquarters — a state-of-the art, 20,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and research facility located in Denver, NC.

They are now exploring expanding its headquarters, as well as opening a second facility in Trotter’s home state of Texas. We want to be more accessible to our growing oil & gas and firearms customer base in the Texas region,” said Trotter. “Plus, with the close ties I have in Texas business community, I’ve always wanted Calico to have a presence in the state.”

Today, Calico’s performance coating knowledge and expertise is in demand across numerous high-performance industries including automotive/motorsports, the U.S. Military, aerospace, molds and dies, diesel engine, firearms and others. In these industries where performance is everything, Calico’s coatings provide the needed edge for outstanding results. Calico’s arsenal of coatings that can withstand extreme pressure, reduce friction and wear include PECVD, DLC, PVD, TiN, ceramic, Teflon®, thermal, non-stick dry film lubricants and more.