Hixson Metal Finishing
Hixson Metal Finishing is a U.S. company that provides functional plating services for the aerospace and defense sectors.
This article introduces the challenges the company can help solve, the types of plating it supports, and the procurement and manufacturing conditions it is well suited for.
(https://hmfgroup.com/)
Challenges Hixson Metal Finishing’s Functional Plating Can Help Solve
Overcoming Vendor-Sourcing Challenges for Rare Specialty Plating
Hixson Metal Finishing helps reduce the risk of disruptions to procurement channels and production line stoppages caused by the limited number of plating shops capable of vacuum cadmium plating. Backed by more than 60 years of experience, the company has established the technical capability to meet all Type I, II, and III specifications. This capability enables it to perform specialized processes that cannot be replaced by conventional cadmium plating, helping ensure a stable supply of critical components.
Meeting Stringent Procurement Requirements with 30+ Prime Approvals
In aircraft parts procurement, Hixson Metal Finishing helps address situations where requirements cannot be met because approved supplier options are limited or audit standards are not met. It holds approved supplier status with more than 30 companies, including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and ULA, as of May 25, 2026*. Its ability to meet each company’s stringent quality management requirements helps avoid design changes and the need to reselect supply-chain partners.
Eliminating Multi-Vendor Coordination with 80+ Processes at One Site
Hixson Metal Finishing helps eliminate cumulative freight costs and scheduling delays caused by sending work back and forth between different vendors for each process. The company has established a single-Source system offering more than 80 processes, including plating, anodizing, NDT, and painting (as of May 25, 2026). This eliminates the need to allocate work across multiple vendors, reducing total management costs and shortening the overall lead time.
Supported Plating Processes
| Types of Plating | Vacuum Cadmium; Cadmium (Type I / II / III); Low Embrittlement Cadmium; Nickel-Cadmium Diffused Plating; Electroless Nickel; Nickel (Bright / Sulfamate); Copper; Silver; Tin; Tin-Lead; Phosphate (Zinc / Manganese); Black Oxide Coating |
|---|---|
| Substrates | Steel / Stainless Steel / Aluminum / Other Materials |
| Functional Properties | Corrosion Resistance / Wear Resistance / Conductivity / Embrittlement Resistance / Low Contact Resistance |
When Is Hixson Metal Finishing a Good Fit?
Hixson Metal Finishing is well suited for aerospace and defense applications that require rare vacuum cadmium plating or the use of a supplier approved by specific prime contractors, such as Boeing and Pratt & Whitney.
It is also well suited for companies looking to consolidate plating, NDT, conversion coating, and painting with a single vendor to reduce management workload, as well as teams that need a system for monitoring work status in real time even when work is outsourced overseas.
This site introduces companies that offer functional plating services suited to a range of specific needs. We hope it helps you find the right partner.
Hixson Metal Finishing’s Plating Case Studies
No plating case studies were available on the official website.
Company Profile
| Company Name | Hixson Metal Finishing (HMF) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters Address | 829 Production Place, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA |
| U.S. Locations | Newport Beach, California, USA |
| Official Website | https://hmfgroup.com/ |
Functional Plating Services
by Industry
and Component Type
Semiconductor Components
“We need a shop for difficult plating others declined.”
Japan, est. 1931
- Precious Metal Plating
for Micro Components - Mitsuya supports uniform precious metal plating on parts down to 0.1 mm in diameter. This can help improve precision and durability in semiconductor inspection equipment.
- High-Adhesion Plating
for Tips and Contacts - Mitsuya has developed an in-house process for titanium and tungsten that does not require heat treatment. It can support high-adhesion plating on pin and card contact areas.
- Support for New Product Development
- Engineers can consult Mitsuya before semiconductor IC specifications are finalized and verify performance through prototypes. This can help reduce development risk and rework costs.
- Electronics and Telecommunications
- Semiconductor Inspection Equipment
- Space Development
Automotive Components
“We need 10 million parts delivered on time, every time.”
U.S., est. 1932
- Consistent Quality and
Lead Times at Volume - Greystone has an annual mass-production record of 130 million automotive parts*1 through machining and plating.
- Single-Source Support from Processing through Plating
- Machining and plating are completed within the same group. Fewer delays between processes can help reduce costs.
- Quality Standards
Automakers Trust - All U.S. locations are IATF 16949 certified, with plating process control that meets OEM quality standards.
- Automotive
- Firearms
Aircraft
Components
“Nadcap is required. We need proven certification experience.”
U.S., est. 1960
- Smoother Approval
from Major Primes - An approved supplier to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and others, with more than 80 Nadcap-accredited processes.
- Aerospace & Defense Work on a Certification-First Basis
- Proven across a wide range of mission-critical components, including missiles and fighter aircraft.
- Meets Defense Standards, Even the Strictest
- Its cadmium-replacement zinc-nickel plating won a 2020 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award and has been used on the F-35*2.
- Aerospace and Defense
- Medical Devices
*2 Source: Anoplate official website https://www.anoplate.com/news-and-events/zinc-nickel-plating-highlights-2020-secretary-of-defense-environmental-award/