Plating job shops come in all varieties.
Some have many employees, such as the ones found in this survey, while others are profitable although they employ less than 20. There are shops that specialize in plating on plastics, and others do nothing but zinc plating. Still other shops, large and small, are heavily involved in industry issues, and there are others that have not even heard of the Common Sense Initiative or the Strategic Goals program. Not even heard of CSI or Strategic Goals?
When the Large Plating Job Shop surveys were mailed out this year, two essay-type questions were also asked. One asked, "The industry needs to reach designers, specifiers, engineers and others who determine what coating will be used on a particular product. Do you have any suggestions how the industry can reach and promote the use of plating?" The second question asked, "Are you involved in the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) and the Strategic Goals program? If so, why? If not, why?" Five companies actually stated that they had never even heard of the programs. Most of them were in Region 5.
However, many of the companies that commented on their involvement in the program were also in Region 5. John Larson of Superior Plating, Minneapolis, MN, stated that his company is involved in the program. "For years the industry has been asking the EPA to move away from the command and control or "one size fits all" style of regulating. We believe CSI can move the industry out from under the regulatory spotlight and improve our relationship with the environment far better than previous programs."
C.R. Hudgins Plating is a charter member of the Virginia Strategic Goals Program and is registered as a Bronze Level recipient. In Virginia, there are three levels of achievement within the program. If a company achieves all the goals outlined by the Virginia Strategic Goals Program, it is registered as a Gold Level recipient, 60% earns a Silver Level, and 30% is a Bronze. Mr. Hudgins stated, "We are making good progress toward earning our Gold Level status and are very proud of how well we have done so far."
The other question in the survey asked how to promote the use of plating to designers, specifiers and engineers. Some plating shops, such as East Side Plating in Portland, OR, offer their customers classes to help them evaluate finishes. "This enables the customer to know what type of finish to ask for on his part. I think the plating industry should try the same at the engineering level," suggested Jim Thibodeau, president. Actually, the industry is doing this with its new tradeshow, mentioned by Sammy Huffman of Capsco, Inc., Greenville, SC. The tradeshow, sponsored by the National Association of Metal Finishers and the Metal Finishing Suppliers Association, is designed for plating shop management as well as design engineers and specifiers to the automotive industry. The show, Finishing Tech 2001, will be held November 5-7, 2001, in Dearborn, MI.
Other platers suggested advertising, an organized public relations effort promoting plating and better cooperation among the industry associations.
The following are the companies that completed and returned surveys. Some larger companies may be missing, since they decided not to participate this year. Also, you will notice that under processes some companies have X's under certain processes while others have indicated the number of lines. If a company supplied the number of lines, we decided to pass along the information.
ABQC Corporation
Milwaukee, WI
Phone/fax: 414-649-4900/414-649-4910
Contact: Matthew D. Kirchner
Employees: 70
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 270,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Silver, Tin, Zinc, Zinc alloys
- Manual: Copper, Nickel
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting, Burring/Polishing, Tumbling, Vibratory Finishing, Etching, Phosphating, Chromating
Others (please list): bright dipping, passivating, assembly and packaging
Aluminum Finishing of Georgia
Adel, GA
Phone/fax: 229-896-4531/229-896-3809
Contact: Zane Robinson
Employees: 125
Annual Sales Volume: N/A
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 95,000
Other Processes: Anodizing 2
Allied Finishing, Inc.
Grand Rapids, MI
Phone/fax: 616-698-7550/616-698-0312
Contact: Bruce Stone
Employees: 200
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 82,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Chromium (hex), Chromium (tri), Copper, Electroless nickel, Electroless copper, Nickel
Other Processes: Organic topcoat
Organic Finishing: Electrocoat
American Trim
Sidney, OH
Phone/fax: 937-498-6531/937-498-6429
Contact: Bill Wilson
Employees: 1,100
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 600,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Anodizing 2, Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Phosphating 2
- Manual:
Other Processes:
Organic Finishing: Electrocoating, powder coating
Aluminum Coil Anodizing
Streamwood, IL
Phone/fax: 630-837-4000/630-837-0814
Contact: John G. Papp
Employees: 125
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 110,000
Other Processes: Anodizing 4, Etching 2
Areway, Inc.
Cleveland, OH
Phone/fax: 216-651-9022/216-634-2515
Contact: Gregory S. Hadgis
Employees: 400
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 3
Sq Ft Facilities: 250,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (hex) 1, Copper 1, Nickel 1
- Manual:
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 3, Buffing/Polishing 85
Organic Finishing: Electrostatic spray, powder coating
Anoplate Corp.
Syracuse, NY
Phone/fax: 315-471-6143/315-472-7132
Contact: Milt Stevenson, Jr.
Employees: 179
Annual Sales Volume: $15-20 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 104,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Brass, Cadmium 2, Chromium (hex) 3, Copper 2, Electroless nickel 4, Electroless copper 1, Gold 1, Nickel 2, Silver 1, Tin 1, Tin alloys 1, Zinc 3, Zinc alloys 1
Other Processes: Anodizing 3, Abrasive Blasting 2, Buffing/Polishing 1, Tumbling 2, Vibratory Finishing 2, Black Oxide 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 2
Others (please list): black chrome 1, vacuum impregnation 1
Organic Finishing: Air-assisted airless spray
Plastics Plated: ABS, PPS
Apollo Plating, Inc.
Roseville, MI
Phone/fax: 810-777-0070/810-777-7430
Contact: James Grimes, Jr.
Employees: 120
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 50,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (hex), Nickel, Zinc
- Manual:
Other Processes: Buffing/Polishing 3
Avtec Finishing Systems Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
Phone/fax: 765-533-4822/765-533-8576
Contact: Bob Yunker
Employees: 120
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 62,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Electroless nickel, Zinc
Other Processes: Anodizing, Black Oxide, Chromating
Others (please list): Dow No. 7, electropolish, hardcoat anodize
C&R Plating Corp.
Columbia City, IN
Phone/fax: 219-248-8148/219-248-2080
Contact: Dennis Blaugh
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $2-5 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 35,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Copper 1, Electroless nickel 1, Nickel 1, Tin 1, Tin alloys 2, Zinc 7
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 1, Chromating 1
Deco Plate Mfg. Co.
Lapeer, MI
Phone/fax: 810-667-3460/810-667-3091
Contact: Tom Prusha
Employees: 285
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 110,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (hex), Copper, Electroless copper, Nickel
- Manual:
Organic Finishing: HVLP
Plastics Plated: ABS, PC/ABS
Capsco, Inc.
Greenville, SC
Phone/fax: 864-235-8000/864-271-0746
Contact: Sammy Huffman
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 85,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Zinc 3, Zinc alloys 4
- Manual: Zinc 2, Zinc alloys 2
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 2, Tumbling 9, Vibratory Finishing 1, Black Oxide 1, Phosphating 1
Organic Finishing: Electrocoating
Empire Hard Chrome
Chicago, IL
Phone/fax: 773-762-3156/773-762-4710
Contact: Thomas Boland
Employees: 120
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 235,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Chromium (tri) 8
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 4, Buffing/Polishing 5
Craddock Finishing Corp.
Evansville, IN
Phone/fax: 812-425-2691/812-429-1370
Contact: Marc Craddock
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $2-5 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 54,633
Plating Processes:
Other Processes:
- Automated: Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Phosphating 1 (these are combined in one PLC-driven line), Chromating 1
- Manual:
- Others (please list): batch vapor degreasing, painting
Organic Finishing: Air-assisted airless, airless spray, electrostatic spray, HVLP, powder coating
C.R. Hudgins Plating, Inc.
Lynchburg, VA
Phone/fax: 804-847-6647/804-846-7421
Contact: James E. Hudgins
Employees: 160
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 1
Plating Processes:
Other Processes: Chromating 2
Organic Finishing: Powder coating
East Side Plating
Portland, OR
Phone/fax: 503-654-3774/503-654-6464
Contact: Jim Thibodeau
Employees: 210
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 5
Sq Ft Facilities: 167,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Zinc 1
- Manual: Brass 2, Cadmium 2, Chromium (hex) 2, Copper 2, Electroless nickel 1, Gold 1, Nickel 4, Silver 1, Tin 1, Zinc 1
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 3, Buffing/Polishing 2, Tumbling 1, Vibratory Finishing 1, Phosphating 2, Chromating 2
Others (please list): pad stamping, laser marking
Organic Finishing: Powder coating
Electro Chemical Finishing
Wyoming, MI
Phone/fax: 616-531-1250/616-531-1988
Contact: Vince Kraus
Employees: 175
Annual Sales Volume: $15-20 million
Plants/Facilities: 3
Sq Ft Facilities: 140,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Brass 1, Chromium (hex) 1, Copper 1, Nickel 1, Silver 1
- Manual: Chromium (hex) 1, Electroless nickel 1, Gold 3, Nickel 1, Tin 1, Tin alloys 1
Other Processes: Buffing/Polishing 2, Etching 2, Chromating 1
Organic Finishing: Powder coating
Plastics Plated: ABS
Whyco Technologies, Inc.
Thomaston, CT
Phone/fax: 860-283-5826/860-283-6153
Contact: Peter Masella
Employees: 240
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 130,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Chromium (hex), Copper, Electroless nickel, Electroless copper, Nickel, Zinc, Zinc alloys
Other Processes: Chromating
Organic Finishing: Electrocoating
Embee Inc.
Santa Ana, CA
Phone/fax: 714-546-9842/714-546-4037
Contact: Jim Pintarelli
Employees: 350
Annual Sales Volume: $20-25 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 200,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Chromium (hex), Copper, Electroless nickel, Nickel, Silver, Tin
Other Processes: Anodizing 1, Abrasive Blasting 1, Black Oxide 1, Etching 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 1
Others (please list): hard anodizing, ion vapor deposition, grinding, NDT
Organic Finishing: Electrostatic spray, powder coating
Hohman Plating and Manufacturing, Inc.
Dayton, OH
Phone/fax: 937-228-2191/937-228-5171
Contact: Gene Monnette
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 80,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Copper 2, Electroless nickel 1, Gold 1, Nickel 2, Silver 1, Tin 1, Zinc alloys 1
- Manual: Brass 1, Cadmium 1, Chromium (hex) 2, Tin 2, Zinc 1
Other Processes: Anodizing 3 (hard, sulfuric, chromic), Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Black Oxide 1, Etching 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 1
Others (please list): vacuum coating (PVD); thermal sprayed coatings, solid film lubricants/Teflon, passivating
Hytek Finishes Co.—
Esterline Technologies
Kent, WA
Phone/fax: 253-872-7160/253-872-7214
Contact: Clif Johnson
Employees: 230
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 3
Sq Ft Facilities: 175,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Cadmium 2, Chromium (hex) 1, Copper 1, Electroless nickel 1, Nickel 1, Tin 1
- Manual:
Other Processes: Anodizing 3, Abrasive Blasting 2, Buffing/Polishing 2, Etching 3, Phosphating 2, Chromating 2
Others (please list): titanium-cadmium, plate 2, hardcoat anodize 1, Dow No. 7, shot peening, NDT
Organic Finishing: Air-assisted airless spray, airless spray, electrostatic
spray, HVLP, powder coating
Lincoln Plating Co.
Lincoln, NE
Phone/fax: 402-475-3671/402-475-0672
Contact: Steve Bauer
Employees: 350
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 250,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Cadmium, Chromium (hex), Copper, Electroless nickel, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Tin alloys, Zinc
- Manual: Chromium (hex), Nickel
Other Processes: Anodizing 3, Abrasive Blasting 2, Buffing/Polishing 1, Vibratory Finishing 1, Black Oxide 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 2
Organic Finishing: Air-assisted airless spray, airless spray
IHC Inc.
Detroit, MI
Phone/fax: 313-535-3210/313-535-3220
Contact: Jeff Pernick
Employees: 175
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 104,000
Plating Processes:
Other Processes: Anodizing 3 (2 automated), Chromating 1
Jagemann Plating Company
Manitowoc, WI
Phone/fax: 920-682-6883/920-682-8003
Contact: Scott Jagemann
Employees: 200
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 75,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (hex) 2, Nickel 2, Zinc 7
- Manual: Chromium (hex) 1, Nickel 2, Zinc 1
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Etching 1, Chromating 1
Plateco, Inc.
Reedsburg, WI
Phone/fax: 608-524-8241/608-524-6486
Contact: Todd Dempsey
Employees: 140
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 110,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Zinc 7
- Manual:
Other Processes: 4 mechanical zinc, galvanizing lines
Miller Plating & Metal Finishing, Inc.
Evansville, IN
Phone/fax: 812-424-3837/812-425-3674
Contact: Debbie Maguire
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 75,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Copper, Electroless nickel, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Tin
- Manual: Copper, Electroless nickel, Nickel, Tin
Other Processes: Anodizing 1, Vibratory Finishing 1, Etching 2, Chromating 2
Quality Electroplating Co.
Caguas, PR
Phone/fax: 787-743-0885/787-743-1199
Contact: Andres Miranda
Employees: 185
Annual Sales Volume: $2-5 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 40,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Zinc
- Manual: Brass, Chromium (hex), Copper, Electroless nickel, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Tin alloys, Zinc
Other Processes: Anodizing 1, Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Tumbling 1, Vibratory Finishing 2, Black Oxide 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 1
Organic Finishing: Powder coating
Lorin Industries
Muskegon, MI
Phone/fax: 231-722-1631/231-727-6794
Contact: Edward Doza
Employees: 170
Annual Sales Volume: More than $25 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 200,000
Plating Processes:
Other Processes: Anodizing 8
Quality Rolling and Deburring
Thomaston, CT
Phone/fax: 860-283-0271/860-283-8589
Contact: George LaCapra, Jr.
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 250,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Nickel, Zinc
- Manual: Nickel, Tin, Zinc
Other Processes: Tumbling 2, Vibratory Finishing 2
Perfection Finishing
Wauseon, OH
Phone/fax: 419-337-8015/419-335-2943
Contact: D.R. Strayer
Employees: 80
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 3
Sq Ft Facilities: 80,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Copper, Gold
- Manual:
Organic Finishing: Air-assisted airless spray, airless spray, electrostatic
spray, HVLP
Plastics Plated: All
Precision Anodizing and Plating Inc.
Anaheim, CA
Phone/fax: 714-996-1601/714-996-0876
Contact: Gregg Halligan
Employees: 125
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 44,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Zinc 2
Other Processes: Anodizing 3, Chromating 1
Quaker City Plating
Whittier, CA
Phone/fax: 562-945-3721/562-945-8099
Contact: Chuck Wolitski
Employees: 250
Annual Sales Volume: $15-20 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 60,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Brass, Chromium (tri), Copper, Electroless nickel, Gold, Nickel, Silver
Other Processes: Platinum Plating
Organic Finishing: Electrostatic spray, powder coating
Plastics Plated: ABS, nylon, PPA, noryl
Plateco, Inc.
Reedsburg, WI
Phone/fax: 608-524-8241/608-524-6486
Contact: Todd Dempsey
Employees: 140
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 110,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Zinc 7
- Manual:
Other Processes: 4 mechanical zinc, galvanizing lines
Reilly Finishing Technologies
Nanticoke, PA
Phone/fax: 570-735-7777/570-735-7878
Contact: James Castellino
Employees: 100
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 70,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (tri), Copper, Electroless copper, Nickel, Tin, Zinc
- Manual: Chromium (tri), Electroless nickel, Nickel, Tin, Zinc
Other Processes: Anodizing 1, Abrasive Blasting 2, Buffing/Polishing 1, Vibratory Finishing 1, Etching 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 2
Others (please list): 2 electropolishing
Organic Finishing: Powder coating
Superior Plating, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
Phone/fax: 612-379-2121/612-379-8933
Contact: John Larson
Employees: 135
Annual Sales Volume: $10-15 million
Plants/Facilities: 2
Sq Ft Facilities: 135,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (hex), Copper, Nickel, Tin, Zinc, Zinc alloys
- Manual: Brass, Cadmium, Chromium (hex), Copper, Electroless nickel, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Tin alloys, Zinc, Zinc alloys
Other Processes: Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 3, Black Oxide 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 1
Others (please list): dry film
Organic Finishing: Air-assisted airless spray
Toccoa Metal Finishing
Toccoa, GA
Phone/fax: 706-779-3371/706-779-3374
Contact: David Weaver
Employees: 70
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 70,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated:
- Manual: Copper, Electroless nickel, Electroless copper, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Tin
Other Processes: Anodizing 1, Abrasive Blasting 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Tumbling 1, Vibratory Finishing 1, Etching 1, Phosphating 1, Chromating 1
Plastics Plated: In development
SK Williams Co.
Milwaukee, WI
Phone/fax: 414-464-2220/414-464-2305
Contact: Donald Hansen
Employees: 155
Annual Sales Volume: $5-10 million
Plants/Facilities: 1
Sq Ft Facilities: 120,000
Plating Processes:
- Automated: Chromium (hex) 1, Copper 1, Nickel 1, Zinc 2
- Manual: Chromium (hex) 3, Electroless nickel 1, Gold 1, Nickel 3
Other Processes: Anodizing 1, Buffing/Polishing 1, Black Oxide 1, Phosphating 1
