Mark Burger is vice president at KC Jones Plating in Warren, Michigan. They also have locations in Indiana and Mexico, and Burger has been instrumental in growing this family-owned company.
He is a graduate of Central Michigan University, and completed coursework at the University of Notre Dame executive education program. A Certified Electro-Finisher from AESF, he contributed to four new plating line installations at KC Jones, including the start of a new facility in Mexico, and has surveyed and visited plating companies all across the US, China, Taiwan and Japan.
How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
Plating is in my blood. My grandfather started KC Jones Plating in 1955, and my father, Robert, took over the business, further growing KC Jones. I grew up around the industry as my father was very involved in the metal finishing association, being a past president of the National Association of Metal Finishing (NASF as we know today). I had the opportunity to go to numerous metal finishing events at a young age, and I have been around the industry since I was about 12 years old.
What do you enjoy best about the industry?
What I enjoy best is the opportunity to change the outlook on the surface finishing industry. Surface finishing is just as critical as any other process required to manufacture a product. Plating is often overlooked because it is not the most environmentally friendly or cleanest process. As a kid, I remember industry members often joked about what a shame it is to get involved in the plating business. I also had visited a customer site with about five automated plating lines. The facility owner commented on how much she hated the plating department because it was dirty and gross. The customer must have had $8 million worth of equipment, but our customer’s outlook was still negative about plating. Meanwhile, I had dreamed of KCJ to have equipment like they had in their facility. This type of feedback has never left my mind. The evolving technology — from improvements in line automation to automated chemical analysis and the implementation of robotics — is fascinating to me. The development of these technologies will continue to transform our industry and further change outsiders’ view of the surface finishing.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
I am a picky eater, so I do not adventure outside my regular eating habits very often. During a trade mission to China, I was offered jellyfish, and I knew it would be extremely offensive to decline. All I can say is jellyfish has an unexpected crunch to it.
Do you collect anything?
I have a decent collection of Bourbon started.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert. I keep a close circle.
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
I would say it’s my sixth sense, intuition and gut feeling.
What do you do to keep fit?
I work out with a trainer twice a week in the mornings. I find I have to have a scheduled appointment to keep myself disciplined.
What three things do you think of the most each day?
My wife, Rachel, my dog, Shay, and my workplace, KC Jones.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Personally, Rachel and I are looking to start our family, so hopefully, we will have kids running around our house sometime in the next 10 years. Professionally, I hope I can continue to help KC Jones with continued growth in the Industry.
What was your first job?
I worked valet for a company that would valet at private residences for various events. I thought it was a sweet job at the time.
How many languages do you speak?
Sadly, only English. I took German for three years, but do not recall any of it. I have been traveling to Mexico for five years for business and cannot speak Spanish. My lack of effort to learn another language is a significant weakness.
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
I don’t think there is one person who is the most intelligent. I have been fortunate to surround myself with an entire network of smart people. All people have different strengths and weaknesses. My father has been my biggest mentor and has greatly influenced who I am today. I have learned from Boulos Morcos and Michael Feldstein about EN, have learned about zinc and zinc alloy’s from Glenn McColor and Tarek Nahlawi, and learned about line automation from Greg Arneson and Craig Pierce. I would say every one of them is among the most intelligent people I know, and I can say there are many others in the industry.
What is one thing you will never do again?
I don’t even know where to start. I’ve made many bad decisions, but our decisions mold us into who we are.
Who knows you the best?
My wife, Rachel, and my father, Robert.
