Specialty Coating Systems Lends a Hand in Clear Lake

Clear Lake, WI – Specialty Coating Systems, founded here in Clear Lake over 50 years ago, is demonstrating its commitment to the community in a big way. The company recently gave all 150 employees a paid day to volunteer at local nonprofits, turning a workday into a day of service.

From painting and flooring to pulling weeds and putting up displays at the nonprofit community center, employees rolled up their sleeves to make a difference. Their efforts are already brightening up spaces that so many residents enjoy.

It’s just the latest example of how a hometown company continues to invest in Clear Lake, not only through jobs but also through care and service that strengthen the community.

We cannot thank Specialty Coatings Systems and their CEO enough for this generous offer, and more importantly, we sincerely appreciate the folks who have signed up to help! They've been making a huge difference with a big smile!

Editor's Note: The following SCS article appeared in the July 2025 Clear Lake Chronicle.

Specialty Coating Systems’ Clear Lake Roots

Nestled in the heart of Clear Lake, Wisconsin, a quiet revolution in protective coatings began that would eventually stretch across the globe. Specialty Coating Systems (SCS), now an internationally recognized leader in conformal coating technologies, traces its roots back to this small but industrious area. That's right, it started right here in Clear Lake.

The Early Days

SCS's story began in the early 1970s, when demand for high-performance electronic coatings started to rise. Their focus was on parylene coating technology — an ultra-thin polymer coating used to protect sensitive electronic components from moisture, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.

Clear Lake, with its strong Midwestern work ethic and skilled labor pool, proved to be an ideal place for innovation. The facility quickly became a center of excellence in developing and refining the parylenecoating process.

Growth and Independence

As this technology gained traction, the company expanded worldwide. Despite this global growth, the Clear Lake site remained a cornerstone of the company’s operations, known for its technical expertise, precision, and commitment to quality.

Impact and Community

Over the years, SCS has not only made its mark in the electronics and medical industries but also become a key employer in Clear Lake. Generations of families have worked at the facility, and its presence has contributed significantly to the local economy. From sponsoring community events to supporting technical education, SCS has remained a relatively quiet but impactful partner in Clear Lake’s story.

Looking Forward

Today, Specialty Coating Systems is a global name with state-of-the-art coating facilities in multiple countries. But its journey from a small-town operation to a leader in protective coatings is a testament to the innovation, dedication, and hard work that took root in Clear Lake, Wisconsin.

Giving Back

This year, SCS launched a new initiative offering employees a paid day off to volunteer and give back to the community. Team members will partner with the Clear Lake Area Community Center, Clear Lake Museum, Clear Lake Civic & Commerce, and the Village of Clear Lake to make a meaningful impact in our community.

Joining the Team

Specialty Coating Systems, located at 100 Deposition Drive — just down the street from the gas station  — employs more than 150 people in its Clear Lake location. They are always seeking dedicated, high-performing individuals to join their team. Their current positions can be found on their website, scscareers.com. 

Sidebar timeline:

From Small-Town Roots to Global Leadership

Did you know? Some of the largest industries in this area began right here in Clear Lake. 

1971: Norm Osero and his partner, Vern Albrecht, harnessed their Fabri-Tec experience and combined their initials to found NOVA Tran Corporation. They begin offering parylene coatings to electronics and medical industries. Nova Tran purchased a license agreement from Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) to be one of the world’s first Parylene service providers.

1984: Union Carbide acquires NOVA Tran, bringing paryleneoperations fully in-house.

1991: Union Carbide merged NOVA Tran with several related companies to officially form Specialty Coating Systems (SCS).

1994–2021: Ownership transitions—Due to the growth of the company, SCS is acquired by Cookson Electronics (1994). As Cookson returned to its core business, the company was acquired by Bunker Hill Capital (2005)and then Berwind Corporation (2008), and finally KISCO Ltd. (2016). During these transitions – which were mostly seamless to their customers and employees, the Clear Lake facility remains operational and integral to SCS’ business.

2021: SCS begins expanding its product offerings by acquiring Diamond-MT in Pennsylvania (March) and Comelec in Switzerland (October). SCS now offers customers a host of conformal coating solutions, including parylene, liquid coatings, plasma, ALD and multilayer coatings.