BOARDMAN Spectrum starts new paint line



By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
BOARDMAN -- A growing metal-finishing company has completed an expansion and started production on a new paint line.
Spectrum Metal Finishing, 535 Bev Road, now is operating separate production lines for its liquid and powder coatings in its 70,000-square-foot plant.
The company completed a 35,000-square-foot addition that includes a liquid-coating line that can paint parts up to 33 feet long. The line features an automatic color-change unit and a computer-controlled system to manage all aspects of the liquid spray.
Neil Chrisman III, Spectrum president, said the expansion should meet the needs of the finishing market well into the next decade.
The new line will allow Spectrum to dedicate production on its original line to powder coatings, which the company added in 1997. Powder coatings are more durable than liquid coatings and are more environmentally friendly because they are easier to recycle and produce less toxic emission.
Chrisman said plant layout has been changed for greater efficiency. Line speeds have been increased so products can be shipped to customers more quickly, he said.
Clients: Spectrum paints products for aluminum extruders who are working on commercial projects, such as schools, office buildings and airports. The painted products are shipped throughout the United States and Canada, as well as the Far East.
It has nearly 80 employees on three shifts, compared with 16 employees on one shift in 1993.
Chrisman and his partner, Thomas Hutch, who owns Aerolite Extrusion Co. of Boardman, bought the company that year with plans to expand the business. Sales have increased fivefold since 1993, Chrisman said.
The company, which used to be known as J & amp;S Aluminum Products, had painted only screen doors and windows for area homes.
Chrisman had been general manager of the architectural coating division of PPG Industries in Pittsburgh before buying the business from Dan and Steve Soroka, who were retiring.

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