Products Finishing

APR 2016

Products Finishing magazine is the No. 1 industrial finishing publication in the world. We keep our readers informed about the latest news and trends in plating, painting, powder coating, anodizing, electrocoating, parts cleaning, and pretreatment.

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PRODUCTS FINISHING — PFonline.com 29 THE VOICE OF FINISHING 80 YEARS TOP SHOPS How to Become a Top Shop The Products Finishing Top Shops Benchmarking Survey is conducted every year, with the electroplating survey in the spring and liquid and powder coating survey in the fall. The survey consists of almost 50 questions about finishing operations, including questions regarding best finishing prac- tices, finishing technology and business operations, as well as employee training and human resources. All shops that complete the Products Finishing Top Shops Benchmarking Survey receive three detailed data reports that separate the survey data into catego- ries that include: type of finishing business (job shop, contract shop or captive operation), number of employees and the comparison between the Top Shops benchmarking group and the rest of the survey participants. This bench- marking group represents the top percentage of shops determined by totaling the points from select business- and technology-related questions. These reports not only serve as a baseline "report card" of sorts, but also provide hard data that will eliminate the need to rely on gut feelings as a method of identifying and prioritizing improvement efforts. In the meantime, how can your shop prepare to earn the Top Shop status? The first step is to compare your shop's performance with the best in the business using this year's Top Shops Executive Summary, and then formulate a plan for improve- ment in areas such as finishing technology, performance and practices, business strategy and human resources. The best place to go for additional help and training is through trade organizations such as the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) and the Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC). The NASF and the AAC can help captive and job shops that want to increase efficiency, improve their bottom line and work their way toward becoming a Top Shop. Both organizations offer a variety of training and educa- tional programs designed to help personnel improve their shop's performance. Working with the AESF Foundation, the NASF holds in-person and online electroplating courses to help shops train its staffs in the latest and most effective processes. By joining a local NASF chapter, your shop may attend monthly training and information-gathering sessions, designed to help your shop run smoothly and productively.

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