Episode 16: Passion for the Industry (An Interview with Jim Jones, DIFCO)

Jim Jones in Washington at NASF Forum.

I met Jim Jones at SUR/FIN 2021. I was walking back from the show at the end of the day and saw him walking, carrying the Finishing Hall of Fame award under his arm that Products Finishing had presented him earlier that afternoon in recognition of his service to the finishing industry.

I caught up with him and introduced myself. As we talked I was stricken by Jim’s humility and his sense of duty and loyalty to the surface finishing community. If I could have recorded our conversation then, I would have. I knew then and there I wanted to have him as a guest for PF’s On the Line podcast. I hope you enjoy listening to his experiences and insights into the industry as I have.

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Excerpt from Episode 16: Passion for the Industry

How has the industry has changed?

I’ve seen the evolution of improving workplace safety through the 60s and 70s with the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and then OSHA. There were a lot of regulatory issues that certainly came about that changed the industry.

There were those that were committed to the industry — that wanted to stay in the industry — that worked and complied. Over the years there were also shops out there that tried to stay under the radar and not worry about compliance with regulations. Those have disappeared, for the most part.

So, I’ve seen a great change in workforce safety and environmental improvement.

Another shift is in management. The philosophy used to be “produce all you can and try to watch your cost.” But, there wasn’t necessarily any real measurement for each process line to determine the actual operating cost. The focus was more on the costs to operate the shop versus the costs to operate a particular process line and what the throughput was.

Over the years, I’ve seen a huge change in measuring results. At DIFCO, the philosophy is “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” We went through an evolution of measuring and managing for success.

You’ve been a big cheerleader for this industry throughout your career. What are your thoughts on the importance of advocacy work?

I’ve worked in the business for a long time. I think you also have to work on your business — promoting your business and also promoting your industry.

In the metal finishing industry, unless you are an in-house shop that is part of an organization that manufactures parts, your job is to go out and find the opportunity to make other people’s parts look better, work better or last longer. So, be proud of who you are. Be proud of the service you offer and the value that you’re bringing to the manufacturing sector — and promote it.

When I look at the major OEMs that we’ve dealt with over the years from the aircraft industry to the automotive sector, from heavy equipment and construction equipment to nuts, bolts, screws, washers and fasteners — you can walk down the street or into stores and say, “Our industry is part of that. We bring value to it.”

What advice do you have for a new generation of workers as they grow into leadership roles in the finishing industry?

If you really love what you’re doing and love your business, you’re going to be innovative, you’re going to be creative, you’re going to surround yourself with talented people. One person does not have all the answers. All of us are better than one of us. A team of good, smart, energetic, passionate, dedicated people can overcome an awful lot of obstacles.

Sometimes you don’t know what the technology is that’s going to help you continue to improve, but you keep working and searching to try to find ways to improve, whether it’s reducing your rejects, increasing your throughput, reducing your overall cost, or improving  quality — all of these things are part of continuous improvement.

In some areas, we’re going to see more automation coming around in the finishing industry — robotics in handling parts. The plating industry itself is also challenged with alternative finishes and alternative products that can affect the plating industry and electroplaters. So that’s another challenge that you have to look at. What other added value can you bring that’s going to help bolster your sales and your processes? Look at the handling that you have with some of the products that you’re processing and what is the added value you can bring to it?