Custom Coaters

Question:

I’m a partner in a small manufacturing company that specializes in general machine work for the aircraft industry, the government, and the commercial industry.

Recently we have been involved in quoting small sheet metal parts that require painting after fabrication. Generally the past procurement of these parts is available with the bid package. The problem arises when the local painting sources in the New England area provide quotes for painting that are often 50–75% of the prior contract price for the entire part.

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Most of the bid quantities are reasonably small 100-1,000 pieces with an average past procurement cost of $10.00 each. The competition for these parts seems to come mostly from the Midwest where perhaps because of the automotive industry their painting lines are more efficient. I am looking for other sources for our painting needs. Because of the size and weight of the parts, shipment by UPS anywhere generally would not be an issue. Thanks. R. K.

Answer:

Two sources for Custom Coater listings that I used, in the past, are the AESF (American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society) Shop Guide and the AFP (Association for Finishing Processes) of SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) Job Finishers Listing. You can reach AESF at (407) 281-6446 or aesf@aesf.org. The AFP of SME can be reached at (313) 271-1500, or kharvee@sme.org.