Asbury Carbons Company Profile

Background

Founded in 1895 by Harry M. Riddle, Asbury Carbons has established itself as a leading global supplier of high-quality graphite, cokes, carbon materials, and engineered solutions. With over 2,000 grades of materials, the company caters to a diverse range of applications, including polymers, rubbers, paints, coatings, lubricants, specialty ceramics, friction products, and insulation. Operating 12 manufacturing locations across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and the Netherlands, Asbury Carbons maintains a strong global presence.

Key Strategic Focus

Asbury Carbons is dedicated to delivering engineered material solutions based on natural and synthetic graphite, carbons, and other materials. The company's strategic focus includes:

Product Diversification: Offering a wide array of materials such as graphite, edge-functionalized graphene, coke, lubricants, coatings, and non-carbon materials to meet various industrial needs.

Manufacturing Excellence: Utilizing advanced manufacturing capabilities, including crushing, grinding, blending, drying, pelletizing, and the production of coatings and dispersions, to ensure product quality and consistency.

Global Expansion: Establishing and maintaining manufacturing facilities and sales offices across North America, Europe, and Asia to serve a global customer base effectively.

Financials and Funding

As of July 2025, Asbury Carbons reported an estimated annual revenue of $54.2 million, with approximately 201 employees. In November 2024, the company announced a price adjustment ranging from 3% to 10% across all graphite product lines, cokes, and non-carbon materials, effective January 1, 2025, to address inflationary pressures.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Asbury Carbons distinguishes itself through its technological platforms and innovative approaches:

Proprietary Technologies: Development of edge-functionalized graphene for applications in coatings, polymer composites, metal composites, construction, and energy storage.

Advanced Manufacturing Processes: Capabilities include nano-metric fabrication, flammable materials handling, and both standard and customized processing techniques.

Leadership Team

Asbury Carbons' leadership team comprises experienced professionals:

Gregg Jones, Chairman and CEO: Over 30 years of leadership experience in industrials and manufacturing businesses, including roles at EP Minerals, Rock Tenn Corporation, and Imerys.

Noah Nichelson, President: More than 20 years in the carbon industry, with expertise in engineering and operations management.

Patrick Sook, Chief Financial Officer: Joined Asbury in 2011 as Corporate Controller; promoted to CFO in July 2021.

Mary Anne Spencer, Senior Vice President of Human Resources: Extensive HR leadership experience in industrial businesses, including roles at Innocor Inc. and Ashland Inc.

Eric Walmet, Senior Vice President of Operations: Over 25 years in operations management, with a background at Ingevity.

Ryan Weir, Vice President of Technical Sales: 25 years of experience with industrial minerals and their applications.

Allie White, Vice President of Integration: Over 10 years of experience in specialty chemicals and materials, with roles in production engineering, product management, and technical sales.

Mark Willey, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Technology: Over 16 years of experience in business and technology leadership, focusing on semiconductor and battery technologies.

Tyson Schnitker, Vice President of Sales: Over 14 years of experience in driving growth and profitability across diverse industries, with roles in supply chain and sales leadership.

Laara Williams, Vice President of Supply Chain: Over 20 years of leadership experience in specialty and advanced chemicals, specializing in strategic supply chain transformations.

Leadership Changes

In July 2021, Patrick Sook was promoted to Chief Financial Officer, reflecting the company's commitment to internal growth and leadership development.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics: The carbon and graphite industry is characterized by steady demand across various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, energy storage, and industrial manufacturing. The market is driven by the need for high-performance materials with applications in lubricants, coatings, and advanced composites.

Competitor Analysis: Key competitors in the industry include:

Hexcel Corporation: Specializes in advanced composites for aerospace and industrial applications.

Mersen: Offers electrical power and advanced materials, including graphite specialties.

Constellium-UACJ ABS: Focuses on aluminum products for various industries.

Polarputki Oy: Provides specialized industrial products.

Aurubis Finland Oy: Engages in non-ferrous metals production.

These competitors emphasize innovation, product quality, and global reach to maintain their market positions.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

In 2024, Asbury Carbons was acquired by Mill Rock Capital, a growth and operations-oriented private investment firm. This partnership aims to leverage Mill Rock Capital's resources to drive strategic developments and synergies within Asbury Carbons.