Steelhead Technologies' customer, Anchor Bay Powder Coat, was recognized for efficiencies by Finishing & Coating Magazine. Anchor Bay Powder Coat, a company in New Baltimore, Michigan, has seen substantial growth and efficiency under the ownership of Rob Thomas. While the business started small with just 25 employees, it has since expanded to nearly 50 employees due to an increase in customers and work. Rob Thomas credits this growth to a dedicated team of managers who have been with the company for a long time.
The company, which specializes in applying powder and liquid coatings, sandblasting, and oven burn-off, originated from Rob Thomas' parents' auto body finishing operation. As the business grew, it expanded to two locations, one housing the original operation and the other accommodating the increased workload. During the pandemic, Rob initially intended to consolidate everything in the new facility, even installing an automated powder coating line. However, the surge in demand prompted them to keep both locations operational.
Anchor Bay Powder Coat's growth during the pandemic was a result of their proactive approach to attracting customers. While many competitors struggled with staff shortages, Rob and his team embraced the opportunity, even if it meant doing the work themselves. This proactive approach paid off, resulting in the acquisition of new customers.
The company's history traces back to Rob Thomas' parents' auto body finishing business, which eventually evolved into a dedicated powder coating operation. In 2013, the company officially became Anchor Bay Powder Coat, focusing exclusively on powder coating services. Their facilities house two 1,000-foot automated coating lines equipped with various booths and ovens to handle different types of projects.
A significant boost for Anchor Bay Powder Coat came when a customer with their own powder coating line needed assistance with coating parts they received from overseas. ABPC's newly installed automated line perfectly aligned with this opportunity, and the company was able to step in and provide the needed services.
As the company continued to grow, it encountered challenges in managing its operations, particularly tracking orders and project progress. Their old paper-based and spreadsheet-based systems were no longer sufficient. To address these issues, Rob Thomas began searching for a suitable software solution. Steelhead Technologies' integrated solution for finishing and coating operations caught his attention, as it seemed tailor-made for the coating industry.
The job shop software addressed ABPC's operational challenges by offering better order management, enhanced visibility, and streamlined data collection. The system integrated with their existing QuickBooks system for automated invoicing, reducing the need for manual data entry and offering insights into invoice status. This not only saved time but also improved the quality team's efficiency by automating several tasks.
In particular, the software helped ABPC become more efficient in managing certifications and specifications, crucial for their work in military application coatings. The platform enabled them to scan products and securely store relevant information, streamlining the certification process.
One of the most significant advantages of the Steelhead Technologies platform was its traceability feature, allowing Rob to monitor both locations around the clock. This level of visibility was invaluable, as it provided answers to customer inquiries and enhanced overall business efficiency.
For more information, read the original article on Finishing & Coating Magazine's website here.
Powder Coating Company Gains Efficiency with Steelhead's Job Shop Software
Rob Thomas, Co-Owner of Anchor Bay Powder Coat, shares his experience in looking for a job shop software specific to the powder coating industry. He explains how much he enjoys the visibility and data at his fingertips to make better informed business decisions.