He Ain't Heavy, He's My Fellow Finisher

The finishing industry is a uniquely niche manufacturing sector. It is often run by family businesses that have been in operation for decades and passed down through generations.

It was once said that shops would visit each other, learn new techniques and processes, and maintain a business-like approach.

Today that doesn't seem to be the case as it was years ago. Shop owners tell me that they often don't know much about other companies in their immediate area, and things aren't as friendly as they once were.

That is certainly understandable, as job shops often bid on the same project or try to hire from the same workforce. I've heard time and again from owners that some of their newer employees learn the finishing trade for a year or two and then apply at nearby shops, hoping to use that newly learned experience to earn a salary boost. This happens in every industry, not just finishing.

Every once in a while, I hear about shops cooperating in their small part of the world, either sharing resources, loaning out supplies, or working together on a project or a resource, such as insurance and worker's comp.

When I was in Milwaukee a few months back, I stopped in to see two of my favorite people in the industry: Jaime Maliszewski and John Lindstedt. They run Reliable Plating Works and Advanced Plating Technologies, respectively.

I noticed that Jaime had a slight limp, and he told me the story of his recent surgery to remove a tumor buried deep in his spinal column. He also relayed how John played a huge role in the care he received before and after the surgery, which you can read about in this issue. Jaime allowed me to tell the story — as did John — and they also shared how John helped rescue John during a devastating fire several years ago.

I share the story to highlight the true professionalism and caring of their fellow man that both Jaime and John displayed.

It is also a hope that finishers will work to become more united with their fellow finisher in their hometown, and perhaps when the need arises, they will be able to help those in need, too.

I have heard from some that the finishing industry is very friendly and that finishers get along just fine when they are at local events or making a phone call to another shop in need. I have heard from others who say it is a cutthroat business and prefer to keep it to themselves. I say each person has to choose the path they take.

I share these stories because I think part of what makes the finishing industry unique is the people who work in it: the shop owners, managers, suppliers, and everyone in between. We can write all day about regulations and the next new thing in the finishing industry—chemistries, processes, and opportunities—but at the end of the day, I enjoy talking and writing about the real people in our industry.

I am thankful that Jaime and John allowed me to tell their tale, and I know there are dozens more out there just like them. And I want to tell their stories, too.

You never know when you might need a helping hand, whether through tragedy or any other reason. Then, you will realize who your friends are, just like people like Jaime and John.