What recent consolidation means for epoxy flooring contractors, and why proactive supply planning matters now.

Quick answer: Recent ownership changes have made the decorative epoxy floor flake market more concentrated. That does not automatically mean a market-wide shortage, but it does make availability planning more important. Thermal-Chem is taking proactive steps to protect supply for current customers, especially the contractors who depend on familiar blends and predictable project schedules.

Decorative flake is not an accessory when it is part of the specified flooring system. If the primer, base coat and topcoat are ready but the selected blend is not, the installation still cannot move forward.

That is why recent consolidation in the decorative epoxy floor flake industry deserves contractors’ attention. A major industry supplier changed ownership in 2025, adding to a broader pattern of consolidation across coatings and construction-material markets. We are not naming or criticizing any individual company, and consolidation alone does not prove that a shortage exists. However, when production and distribution are more concentrated among fewer organizations, a disruption, an allocation change, or a surge in demand can affect more customers at once.

For contractors, the practical question is not who owns whom. It is whether the floor flake needed for the next job will be available when the crew is ready.

What Does Consolidation Mean for Epoxy Floor Flake Availability?

Industry consolidation can bring investment, expanded capabilities and new product development. It can also change purchasing patterns, production priorities, distribution relationships and how inventory is allocated. Those changes may be positive, neutral or disruptive depending on the product, timing and customer.

The immediate lesson for flooring contractors is not to assume that a familiar blend will always be available on the same timeline as the last order. Stock levels can change. Custom blends can depend on several individual colors. A popular neutral blend can move quickly when contractors across multiple markets are ordering for the same season.

No supplier can guarantee that every flake color or custom blend will always be available. A reliable supplier should, however, monitor demand, plan ahead, communicate clearly, and avoid overpromising.

How Thermal-Chem Is Working to Protect Current Customers

Thermal-Chem’s first responsibility is to the contractors and customers who already rely on us. We do not want a change in the broader epoxy floor flake market to become a missed installation date, an idle crew, or an uncomfortable customer conversation.

Our approach is to plan earlier and manage flake as a critical system component, not something to order after the rest of the coating package is ready. Our current efforts include:

• Planning flake purchases further ahead based on current customer demand and expected seasonal usage.
• Maintaining additional inventory of commonly requested colors and blends where practical.
• Monitoring usage and reorder points more closely so we can respond before a routine item becomes difficult to replace.
• Giving priority to the needs of established customers and contractors with known upcoming work.
• Encouraging early conversations about large jobs, custom blends and repeat programs so material can be planned before crews are scheduled.

Why Protecting Existing Customers Comes First

This is not a promise that every color, blend or quantity will always be on the shelf. It is a commitment to be proactive, transparent and focused on protecting the customers who trust Thermal-Chem with their work.

When supply becomes less predictable, it can be tempting for a supplier to chase every new order. But accepting more business than the available inventory can support only moves the problem downstream.

Thermal-Chem would rather have an honest conversation about timing than accept an order and leave a contractor exposed. Our priority is to support existing relationships, understand upcoming demand and allocate available material responsibly.

That matters because the contractor carries the visible risk. The contractor scheduled the crew. The contractor promised the completion date. The contractor’s name is on the finished floor. Protecting material availability helps protect that reputation.

What Contractors Should Do Now

Contractors do not need to panic-buy epoxy floor flake or fill a warehouse with dozens of blends. They do need to move availability confirmation earlier in the sales and scheduling process.

• Tell Thermal-Chem about repeat blends and anticipated volume, even before every job is formally awarded.
• Confirm that the selected blend is physically available before committing to an installation date.
• For custom blends, confirm that every individual color and flake size is available.
• Ask for the expected ship date and transit timing, not only a general lead-time estimate.
• Order enough material for the planned broadcast rate, job size, and reasonable field waste.
• For time-sensitive work, identify an acceptable alternate blend when the specification allows it.
• For additions or repairs, compare a current physical sample with the existing floor before promising an exact match.

Plan the Entire Decorative Flake System Together

A decorative epoxy flake floor is a complete system. Thermal-Chem’s DecoFlake system combines an epoxy base coat, decorative flake broadcast, and protective clear topcoat. Planning the coating and flake together makes it easier to verify quantities, compatibility, and timing before the project reaches the calendar.

For broader guidance on supplier reliability and project scheduling, read Don’t Let Your Epoxy Flooring Supplier’s Inventory Problem Become Your Reputation Problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has consolidation caused an epoxy floor flake shortage?

Not necessarily. A major change in supplier ownership has made the market more concentrated, but consolidation alone is not proof of a market-wide shortage. Availability can vary by color, blend, quantity, and timing. Contractors should confirm current epoxy floor flake inventory before scheduling a crew.

Why can decorative floor flake availability change?

Availability can be affected by demand, production schedules, inventory allocation, individual color availability, custom-blend requirements, and shipping. A blend that was readily available on a previous job may require more time today.

How is Thermal-Chem protecting flake supply for current customers?

Thermal-Chem is planning purchases earlier, monitoring usage and reorder points more closely, maintaining additional inventory where practical, and prioritizing established customer needs and known upcoming work.

How early should contractors order epoxy floor flake?

There is no single lead time for every order. Contact Thermal-Chem as soon as the blend and approximate quantity are known, especially for large jobs, custom blends, repeat programs or installations with a fixed shutdown window.

Can Thermal-Chem guarantee that every blend will be available?

No responsible supplier can guarantee that every color, custom blend, and quantity will always be available. Thermal-Chem’s commitment is to plan proactively, communicate honestly, and help current customers address material needs as early as possible.

Can contractors buy the complete decorative flake system from Thermal-Chem?

Yes. Thermal-Chem can help with decorative flake, primers, base coats, clear topcoats, quantities, blend selection and current availability for the complete DecoFlake flooring system.

Talk to Thermal-Chem Before the Job Hits the Schedule

If you have repeat flake needs, a large decorative flooring project, or a custom blend coming up, let us know early. The more visibility we have into demand, the better we can plan inventory and help protect your installation schedule.

Explore Thermal-Chem’s DecoFlake flooring system or contact Thermal-Chem to discuss colors, quantities, and current availability.

Call 800-635-3773  |  Email sales@thermalchem.com