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human error when it comes to the plating operations. IPS has the capability to design, manufacture and repair its own plating racks in house, much like it does for its polishing and buffing tooling, which the company says sets it apart. "I don't think many other plating companies have the capabilities to design, manufacture and maintain their own tooling like we do," Mereles says. "It makes it much more efficient for us." IPS was around when powder coating began to replace some of the liquid coating opera- tions and the company worked on the implementation of powder coating lines. One of the hallmarks of IPS's expertise is its ability to deliver an outstanding clear powder coating finish, which some could argue is one of the most difficult coatings to consistently repeat at high quality and high volumes. "We have been doing this for years, and have become effec- tive at determining the different variables that are affected," Mereles says. "Our production and engineering personnel have been able to control the clear coat finish very well." IPS has two large automatic powder coating lines with overhead conveyors. To cure the powder, the plant uses both infrared and convection ovens. The IR boost helps to reduce contamination and orange peel. Moreover, to prevent contam- ination in the powder coating operation, the line is closed off with two separate doors at the entrance. Once inside the powder coating area, the application booth is closed off to the rest of the operation. The plant also has two liquid coating lines that deliver a very high-quality finish, including manual stations and a chain-on-edge coating line, which allows IPS to cover a range of customer finishing requests. Turn-Key Support IPS partners with another firm to seamlessly offer its customers physical vapor deposition (PVD) finishes, including the deposition of zirconium nitride, titanium nitride and other metallic ion combinations that are applied under vacuum conditions. Mereles says that some substrates have to be electro- plated first with nickel and chromium before they can have PVD applied, adding that the PVD process can enhance the hardness of a component's surface as well as improve the durability and overall abrasion resistance. The PVD coatings are available in several finishes, including brass, gold, black, gray, silver and nickel. IPS offers value-added services to its customers, including secondary operations such as crimping, assembly and pack- aging. Through its longstanding relationships with numerous manufacturers in the U.S. and Mexico, IPS can also provide its customers the raw materials, such as castings, stampings, forgings and machined parts. "We also provide turn-key services to supply a complete product," Mereles says. "We assume full responsibility for the sourcing, manufacturing, finishing, quality control, assembly and packaging, thereby becoming a one-stop-shop for our clients." Brenda Verdugo, who works in the sales and marketing department, says many of IPS's customers take advantage of those services because it helps them streamline operations and reduce time in getting the parts in their customer's hands. "It is great when customers contract with us for value- added services along with the finishing," she says. "This does represent a challenge, but we know that it will help provide a better solution to our customer's needs so we do what we can to provide that solution." Culture of Safety, Quality Some of the corporate values that IPS has ingrained in its culture are based around the ideas of safety and quality. Mereles says the wellbeing of the workers and visitors in the facility is of utmost importance to the company, and there is IPS focuses on high-volume, high-quality decorative metal finishing while providing business-to-business services to OEMs and others. 16 JANUARY 2016 — pfonline.com PLATING/POLISHING P L A T I N G / P O L I S H I N G "We continue to maintain and value what we have built with our existing customers."