Select Powder Coating Uses Expansion to Propel Growth
September 1, 2018For Select Powder Coating of Union, Missouri, 2017 will go down as a trying, yet exciting time.
In early 2017, the 16 year-old company moved most of its operations to a new 40,000-square-foot facility and installed a new automated system with a 3-by-6-by-10-foot part window and a new batch system with a 10-by-10-by-30-foot part window.
The move could have thrown a wrinkle into SPC’s high-performing operation, but company President Cole Scego made sure the shop continued with outstanding performance in the new facility with new equipment, earning the company distinction in the Best Technology category in the 2018 Products Finishing Top Shops Benchmarking Survey.
“We are currently in the process of attaining AAMA 2605 certification through multiple powder vendors with the goal of becoming a preferred supplier of coatings for the local architectural market,” Scego adds. “We have been using Bluestreak software for five years, and it has added tremendous value to our customer service and workflow organization.”
SPC spent about 8 percent of gross sales on new equipment and technology for the shop, including routine upgrades of equipment and systems.
“Our job is to make every aspect of the customer experience a bit better,” Scego says. “Essentially, we are proving a value-added service to our clients, and our goal is to provide as much value as possible throughout the entire customer experience. We strive to go above and beyond our customer expectations.”
SPC has tried to make a reputation for itself by taking on some of the more challenging powder coating jobs, which often call for specialized equipment and expertise. Scego says doing those types of projects help bring in new business.
“We feel that word of mouth has been one of our best marketing tactics, and providing a great customer experience is essential for that to be fruitful,” he says. “The story is great, though the journey certainly hasn’t been easy. We believe that our customers come to us because they respect the service we provide, not because we are the cheapest option.”
SPC tries to remain focused on its customers, and not its competition, Scego says, adding that the shop tries to constantly lean into the future and continuously improve.
“We’re always listening to our clients and investigating possible avenues for future expansion through new processes and technologies,” he says. We believe a lack of innovation is a pathway to failure.”
Being named a Products Finishing Top Shops is proof of that.
“It’s great to receive validation for our hard work,” Scego says. “Success is always relevant to the actions you take as a company, and great companies are built on great products or services. By placing the greatest value in our employees, we’re able to provide a great service to our clients.”
Article by Products Finishing | Contributor Time Pennington 