About Calico

For 29 years, Calico Coatings has been a trusted leader in high-performance coating technology. Founded by racer and entrepreneur Tracy Trotter, Calico began with a mission to develop coatings capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of high speed, friction, and heat.

From its humble beginnings with two employees and a small loan, Calico has grown into a 50-person operation running three shifts to meet increasing customer demand. Headquartered in a state-of-the-art 56,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and research facility in Denver, North Carolina, Calico continues to invest in advanced R&D, including a dedicated laboratory for thin films and diamond-like coatings.

Today, Calico is part of HEF NA, a network of leading surface technology and coating providers delivering advanced solutions that enhance performance, durability, and efficiency across industries. Calico’s coating technologies serve a wide range of industries—including automotive and motorsports, aerospace, military, diesel, firearms, and molds and dies. Its proven coating solutions—such as PECVD, DLC, PVD, TiN, ceramic, Teflon®, and thermal coatings—deliver measurable improvements in performance, durability, and efficiency.

HEF Group is the parent company of HEF NA. For over 50 years, the HEF Group—headquartered in France—has been at the forefront of tribology, the science of wear and friction. What began as a research and development venture has evolved into a global leader in surface engineering, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance the performance and durability of industrial and automotive components worldwide.

Today, HEF operates in over 20 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, providing:

• Liquid Nitriding / Salt Bath Nitriding (SBN) services and PVD/DLC coating services through our TECHINQUES SURFACES global network
• Engineered Bushings for demanding industrial applications
• Tribology testing services
• Technology transfer: Process equipment & consumables; technology licensing
• Photonics
• And more…