Max Coating of Birmingham, Alabama has opened a second plant in Atlanta after acquiring a 95,000 square-foot facility on Selig Drive.

President and CEO Chuck Gault says the new facility adds to the 55,000 square-foot location on Industrial Parkway in Birmingham.

Gault says the Atlanta facility will employ about 25 people initially, with hopes of expanding as the business grows. He hopes to get employment to 50 people by the end of the year.

Max Coating is a supplier to the auto industry, and offers electrocoating and powder coating services.

Founded in 2003 by Gault, the Birmingham plant employs about 50 people.

“Our goal is to revolutionize the metal finishing industry with new techniques and outstanding customer service,” says Gault.

For more information, visit Max Coatings at Maxcoatings.com

Toronto-based Integran Technologies Inc. announced further advances in its "structural metal plating-on-polymer" technology -- Nanovate NP --  for enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling the cost-effective manufacture of lightweight transportation parts.

The company says its nanometal-polymer hybrid core technology was awarded two patents: US 8,367,170 which issued on Feb 5 and EP 2,193,664 which issued on Feb 20 disclosing lightweight metal-coated polymer electric and electronic housings for use, e.g., in automotive electronic control units (ECUs).

"We are pleased that our developments relating to structural plating-on-polymer parts have been recognized in the patent jurisdictions of Europe and the United States as these remain dominant regions for advanced automotive technology development," says Integran's Vice President of Intellectual Property Klaus Tomantschger

Integran's President & CEO Gino Palumbo says their technology can be used to replace a variety of electric and electronic housings in modern automobiles, and  provides lightweight parts with impact-resistance and appropriate EMI shielding.

Manufactured by combining the two conventional high volume production processes of injection molding and electroplating, Integran envisions this technology to see widespread use in modern vehicles which typically contain between 75 and 100 ECUs.

"The technology is expected to be particularly relevant to hybrid electric and plug-in electric vehicles, which in addition to the typical low voltage electronics, contain a myriad of high voltage & power electrical and electronic subsystems," says Palymbo. "Our Nanovate metals technology is also particularly effective at mitigating lower frequency magnetic interference from electric motors."

Hentzen Coatings, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of the largest manufacturers of industrial coatings in the U.S., has acquired of the assets of CrossLink Powder Coatings of Clearwater, Florida.

CrossLink produces and sells powder coatings for the general industrial and architectural market segments, and has been in business since 1996.  Terms of the sale were not disclosed. 

“We are very pleased to add CrossLink Powder Coatings to Hentzen’s rapidly growing powder coatings business, which we consider an integral element of our growth strategy in the industrial coatings market," said Al Hentzen, President and CEO of Hentzen Coatings. "In addition to adding a new segment, architectural powders, to our business, we will take immediate steps to grow the capacity of the Clearwater plant to help us meet growing powder coatings demand.”

Said Dave Williams, the founder and owner of CrossLink: “Having worked to grow a successful powder coatings business over the last 16 years, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to now join with a great family-owned company.  This will enable us to rapidly accelerate the development of our business base in Clearwater.  I am excited to join the Hentzen team.”

Hentzen Coatings Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer of General industrial, Military, and Aerospace Coatings in North America with international sales.  Hentzen is celebrating 90 years in the coatings business this year.  

For more information, please visit www.hentzen.com.   

The 2013 NASF Management Conference in Key West in February attracted more than 80 finishing industry executives, owners and managers. Blair Vandivier from Asterion was the chairman of the event this year.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of sessions, with topics ranging from the economic outlook for finishing and manufacturing, current and future business perspectives, and an overview of the latest trends in technology and materials.

For 2014, the NASF Management Conference moves to the Sheraton Maui on Kaanapali Beach in Hawaii for another round of presentations and networking opportunities with executives from some of surface finishing's most successful and influential companies.Mike Kelly from ASKO Processing will be the event chair.

For more information on the 2014 NASF Management Conferenc, please CLICK HERE.

Q. I am looking for in-line parts washing to put at my stamping press. The parts are very light and delicate. I am currently talking with one company about its mini-tunnel sonic machine, because I believe that a conveyor system is the way to go. Do you know of other companies that have this type of system? M.A.

A. One-piece parts handling is thought to be the most efficient if you can correctly coordinate with the balance of your manufacturing process, and it sounds like you have a good plan for yours. The company you mentioned has been in the industry for quite some time, but if you are interested in talking with additional suppliers before making your decision, I suggest you visit the PFOnline Supplier page to find other potential equipment manufacturers that could suit you. Go to PFonline.com, choose the Supplier tab, then the Cleaning & Pretreatment category, and then Parts Washers. 

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