Blend Supply to Helm Socomore’s North American Aerospace Chemical Distribution

FORT WORTH, TX – March 17, 2026 – In a significant move set to reshape the North American aerospace supply chain, Blend Supply has been named the Authorized Master Distributor for Socomore's entire portfolio of aerospace chemicals. The partnership, effective April 1, 2026, positions Blend Supply as the primary source for globally recognized technologies essential for aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and space programs across the continent.

This announcement formalizes a major strategic pivot for Socomore, a global leader in specialty chemicals since 1972. The company is transitioning to a distributor-focused model in North America to enhance service, improve product availability, and streamline logistics for its highly specialized product lines.

A Strategic Overhaul for a Demanding Market

Socomore's decision reflects a deliberate strategy to optimize its presence in the lucrative North American aerospace sector, a market valued at approximately USD 0.9 billion in 2024. By consolidating distribution through a dedicated master partner, the company aims to provide a more efficient and responsive supply channel for its customers, who operate in the high-stakes worlds of commercial aviation, defense, and space exploration.

This move follows years of strategic growth for Socomore, including the acquisition of key product lines such as the Aeroglaze® and Chemglaze® coatings from LORD Corporation and the global aerospace rights for the PreKote® surface treatment. Integrating these diverse, high-specification products under a unified distribution strategy is crucial for maximizing market access and customer support.

"Blend Supply's aerospace expertise, logistics capabilities, and customer focus make them an ideal partner to support our North American distribution strategy," said Tom Bell, Vice President of Sales North America at Socomore. "This partnership ensures our customers continue to receive reliable access to the technologies they depend on for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance."

The new model aims to address the complex logistical challenges of the aerospace industry, where timely access to certified materials is paramount for both production lines and the critical Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, which accounts for over two-thirds of aerospace coatings demand.

Enhancing Efficiency for Manufacturers and MROs

For aerospace manufacturers, airline maintenance organizations, and defense contractors, the partnership promises tangible operational benefits. Blend Supply will leverage its multiple U.S. distribution centers and nationwide logistics network to ensure a reliable and well-stocked inventory of Socomore products, from surface pretreatments to specialty coatings.

This centralized approach is designed to simplify procurement, reduce lead times, and offer a single point of contact for technical and sales support. Blend Supply will provide dedicated aerospace sales teams, assistance with Requests for Quotation (RFQs), and consolidated supply-chain programs tailored to the needs of the industry.

"These technologies are deeply embedded in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance operations around the world," stated Clint Broadie, President of Blend Supply. "Our role as an Authorized Master Distributor ensures customers have a reliable, well‑stocked source backed by the logistics, service, and technical expertise required in aerospace operations."

This enhanced support structure is vital for materials that are often subject to stringent specifications and application procedures. By providing technical guidance alongside rapid fulfillment, the partnership aims to help customers optimize their processes, reduce aircraft downtime, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The Advanced Science Behind Flight and Space Exploration

The Socomore portfolio distributed by Blend Supply represents some of the most advanced chemical technologies in the aerospace industry, often functioning as the unsung heroes that ensure the safety, durability, and performance of modern aircraft and spacecraft.

A standout technology is PreKote®, a non-chromated surface pretreatment that replaces traditional hazardous materials like chromate conversion coatings. It not only provides superior paint adhesion and corrosion resistance but also offers significant environmental, health, and safety benefits. Being non-toxic and biodegradable, it drastically reduces hazardous waste disposal costs and helps operators comply with stringent regulations. For MROs, its use can slash paint preparation time and costs by up to 40%, a critical efficiency gain. The technology is proven, having been used on over 1,500 U.S. Air Force aircraft.

Similarly, Socogel® adhesion promoters are chromium-free solutions that enhance the durability of paint systems and prevent common issues like rivet rash. Approved by major OEMs like Airbus, these sol-gel technologies speed up preparation and painting processes, directly contributing to reduced aircraft-on-ground time.

The portfolio also includes the high-performance Chemglaze® and Aeroglaze® product lines. Chemglaze polyurethane coatings are essential for protecting the leading edges of wings and rotor blades from erosion and impact. Meanwhile, Aeroglaze specialty coatings offer unparalleled protection against corrosion, UV radiation, and extreme temperatures. Their unique properties, including low outgassing, have made them indispensable for space applications, having been used on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the Space Shuttle program, safeguarding critical components in the vacuum of space.

Through this strengthened distribution channel, North American aerospace and defense industries gain more streamlined access to these critical, high-performance materials, reinforcing the supply chain for technologies that are integral to the future of aviation and space exploration.