|
|
|
|
|
MSC Walbridge Coatings - A Brief History A Dream Is Born The concept of a Pre Finish Metals facility near an automotive market base was formed because the automotive industry was PFM's largest customer. Roy N. Crabtree*, founder and owner of Pre Finish Metals headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, felt that a manufacturing plant near major automakers in Detroit would be beneficial to our customers and PFM. PFM's expertise was put to good use in the design and building of the facility in Walbridge, Ohio. Mr. Crabtree was instrumental in all aspects of the property acquisition, design, and construction of the line and building and remained so until his death. Unfortunately, he did not live to see his dream fulfilled when the plant opened in October 1980. The Walbridge facility is dedicated to Roy N. Crabtree. Walbridge Coatings Opens Its Doors Plant dedication ceremonies were held on October 28, 1980. Headlines declared:
• Pre Finish Metals Unveils World's Largest Coil Coating Line! Occupying a new 266,000 square foot building on a 52-acre site near Toledo, Ohio, Pre Finish Metals' all new Line No. 6 had capabilities unheard of previously. Among the line's vital statistics: ability to handle coils up to 72 inches in diameter and weighing 50,000 pounds; accommodate strip thickness from 0.018 to 0.135 inch, the heaviest gauge ever to be coil coated; widths from 24 to 72 inches; and line speeds up to 700 feet per minute. The tandem (two coater) line applied prime and finish coats in one pass. Line 6 was able to print, emboss, and apply solid film laminates. At that time, zincrometal, steel coated with a corrosion-resistant, zinc-rich weldable primer for use in body sheet panels was a big part of the production from the line. PFM's new president, William N. Guthrie, stated, "Quality and service have always been and will continue to be the cornerstone of Pre Finish Metals' business philosophy." Partnership In early 1984, the big three automakers announced a conversion to electrogalvanized (EG) coated steel by 1986. By October 1984, a letter of intent was signed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Inland Steel Company, and Material Sciences Corporation (holding company for MSC Walbridge Coatings Inc.) to create a partnership, enabling the three companies to better meet customers needs. Construction began and an addition to the coating line expanded capabilities to include electrogalvanizing. On April 26, 1986, the first EG coated strip was processed through the facility. Corporate Identification Material Sciences Corporation is a technology-based manufacturer of continuously processed specialty coated material and services. The company is a market leader in its four principal product groups: laminates and composites, specialty films, coil coating, and electrogalvanizing. Founded in 1971 and headquartered near Chicago, MSC operates seven manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Its products are sold to manufacturers and distributors of industrial and consumer products around the world. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MSC and is included in the Standard and Poor's SmallCap 600 Index. In fiscal 1996, MSC reorganized to better focus its resources for continued long-term growth. It quickly became apparent that we needed to clarify and reinforce the changes we made so that all of our audiences had a better understanding of the company. One result was to adopt a new corporate identity system. MSC's new logo represents the continuous manufacturing process that cuts across all of our businesses. The lines signify the multiple layers associated with our products, while the dot and line under the logo represent a roll of material unwinding, the starting point of all our manufacturing processes. During this time the Pre Finish Metals facility in Walbridge, Ohio was officially renamed MSC Walbridge Coatings Inc. Walbridge Coatings Today Our facility in Walbridge, Ohio has increased capability to include: 72" Combination Electrogalvanizing Line (Line#6) that can coat coils of metal up to 72 inches wide at speeds of up to 600 feet per minute. Steel coils are unwound, pre-cleaned, tension leveled, cleaned electrolytically, and electroplated with zinc or zinc alloys. An optional organic coating can then be applied. 72" Edge Trim and Inspection Line (Line #9) that can handle coils of metal up to 72 inches wide and run at speeds of 1,000 feet per minute. Steel coils can be edge trimmed and/or inspected. Different types of oil can then be applied before rewinding the coil and packaging it for shipment. New, State-of-the Art 72" Edge Trim and Inspection Line (Line#25) where steel coils can be edge trimmed and inspected on both sides. Can handle coils up to 72 inches wide and run at speeds in excess of 1,000 feet per minute. Walbridge Coatings has also expanded their product line to include zinc-nickel, zinc phosphate, dried-in-place phosphate, dry film lubricants, passivation chrome treatments, metal-to-metal laminate, etc. Customer base has also expanded to include automotive, computer, electronics, building, appliance, and hardware industries. _____________________________ *Roy N. Crabtree was the founder and owner of Pre Finish Metals which began business in 1951 as All Weather Steel Products. He was president of the company until his death. Mr. Crabtree was also very instrumental in forming the National Coil Coaters Association and was an active member. |
 |
|
contact
| sitemap |
