Parker Ionics Powder Equipment

Share

powder coating

Example of Winona’s powder coated heavy castings.
Photo Credit: Products Finishing

Founded in 1974, Winona Powder Coating (Etna Green, Ind.) got its start as a small fabricator. In 1979, the company began shifting its focus to powder coating and today is a leading supplier of powder coating services to large industrial companies throughout the Midwest. Winona Powder Coating was purchased by CEO Jamie Visker in 2002 and expanded. Today, the company has a 50,000-square-foot facility in Elkhart, Ind. and a 167,000-square-foot facility in Etna Green, Ind. The company has been continually working to expand its operations ever since.

Winona has qualified as a Top Shop in Products Finishing’s Top Shops Benchmarking Survey for three consecutive years and taking a quick look around the Etna Green location, it’s easy to see why. Currently, the company has four production lines for powder coating — two at each facility.  The part window can handle parts 34" x 72". Each line has a five-stage washer using iron oxide pretreatment and automatic powder booths. The Etna Green facility also features an ecoat line that was installed in 2020. The line can handle parts 48" x 48" x 102", uses the latest generation of Axalta’s ecoat technology, and boasts a 17-stage pretreatment.

ecoat, electrocoating

The addition of an electrocoating line in 2020 is just one example of how Winona constantly explores opportunities for expanding its capabilities.
Photo Credit: Products Finishing

The ecoat line is just one example of how Winona is working to grow the company. Originally installed to help meet the demand for ecoating of parts for John Deere, the line has also helped the company grow its work in the automotive sector.

“When you look at the morphology of this company, five, six years ago, it was just a job shop,” vice president of operations, Larry Beals, says. “We’ve since really elevated the bar as far as the expectations and the market that we’re starting to serve.”

powder coating, powder coating industry, finishing

Winona holds numerous certifications including several for coating John Deere parts.
Photo Credit: Winona Powder Coating

Each plant is ISO 9001 certified and undergoes recertification on a regular basis. The company processes parts for such OEMs as Case New Holland and Parker Hannifin, and has numerous John Deere certifications, including the JDM F17 global paint spec approval.

In addition, Winona is certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association for AAMA2603, AMMA2604 and AAMA2605. The company has done a lot of work to optimize how it processes parts to consistently meet those standards.

“We knew a long time ago that we wanted to get in the architectural business,” Beals says. “We run all of our castings on our heavier line and that allows us to keep all the aluminum and the galvanized separated and optimize the chemistry.”

According to Beals, the company is also Underwriter Laboratories (UL) approved, making their coatings a good fit for electrical work junction boxes and piping needed in architectural applications.

Another hallmark of any Top Shop is a good team dynamic. In addition to continual improvements to its process and investments in new capabilities, Winona also works to invest in its people. Several years ago, Beals implemented what he calls a Supervisor’s Academy — a two-year mentoring program for employees who exhibit leadership qualities or express an interest in growing their skillset.

“We cover various topics to give employees some additional skills for successful leadership,” Beals says. “We get into human resources, performance management, time management, conflict resolution, OSHA laws, hazardous materials, powder safety, the ISO standard (emphasizing the intent of it instead of treating it simply as an audit to get through once a year).

Beals says the program also covers problem-solving and project management, delving into Six Sigma methodology and Lean Manufacturing principles.

Winona continually explores new markets and application opportunities. Most recently, the company’s growth efforts have yielded business in the marine industry.

“Two years ago, we were doing zero business within the marine industry. We applied a Six Sigma approach to collaborating on an R&D project and now one of our largest accounts is in marine,” Beals says.

Steelman Industries Inc.
Powder Coating Institute
Parker Ionics
Vitracoat Inc. powder coatings
complete finishing application systems
Keyland Polymer UV Cured Powder Coating
Your Best Finish Starts With Us!
Heatmax Heaters ad with immersion heaters

Related Content

Liquid Coating

Finisher’s ‘Top Shop’ Status Attracts Business

This competitive California finisher made it a goal to become a PF Top Shop. After earning the recognition, the company experienced an immediate increase in business and a challenge to obtain certifications. 

Read More
Top Shops

An Altruistic Growth Strategy Puts People First

Professional Plating emphasizes investing in its team and fostering a supportive environment on the shop floor.

Read More
Top Shops

Attentive Employees Support Large Customer Base

As a Products Finishing Top Shop, this company’s success with offering a variety of finishing services would not be possible without its employee dedication and the pride that’s been instilled in them to produce quality products for its long list of customers.

Read More

Defining a Top Shop: Quality, Quickness, Communication, Community

Luke Engineering & Anodizing Co. takes an active role in its community and the industry while also focusing heavily on the quality of its work and employee treatment.

Read More

Read Next

regulation

Episode 45: An Interview with Chandler Mancuso, MacDermid Envio Solutions

Chandler Mancuso, technical director with MacDermid Envio discusses updating your wastewater treatment system and implementing materials recycling solutions to increase efficiencies, control costs and reduce environmental impact.

Read More
Parts Cleaning

A ‘Clean’ Agenda Offers Unique Presentations in Chicago

The 2024 Parts Cleaning Conference, co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show, includes presentations by several speakers who are new to the conference and topics that have not been covered in past editions of this event.   

Read More
Sponsored

Masking Solutions for Medical Applications

According to Custom Fabricating and Supplies, a cleanroom is ideal for converting, die cutting, laminating, slitting, packaging and assembly of medical-grade products.

Read More
Parker Ionics Powder Equipment