Miles Chemicals is celebrating its 25th year in the chemical and metal finishing industry. The company was established in 1996 and is based in Arleta, California.
Miles Chemicals provide distribution services, custom blending, waste services, and inventory management as part of its overall offerings. They also provide just-in-time delivery of chemicals with their own fleet of trucks to its customers in the metal manufacturing, surface finishing, printed circuit board, industrial, food, personal care, nutraceutical, and municipal industries.
Anthony Miles is the owner of the company, along with his wife, Gina. Their children — Mike, Amber, and Matt — also work for the company.
We recently had a quick conversation with Anthony on how the company was started and their approach to working in the finishing industry.
Miles Chemical is coming up on your 25th anniversary in 2021. What was your thought process in starting Miles Chemical in 1996?
Anthony MilesI have been in chemical distribution since the mid-1980s, starting first in the warehouse, then driving trucks and tankers, and ultimately into field sales. All throughout, I saw the value and bond through relationships with co-workers, customers, and suppliers. It was in 1995, during an annual company meeting, our president said, “Companies do business with companies, not necessarily with people.” I saw it differently and made the decision to start my own company.
There must have been challenges in starting up a company, especially a chemical company in California from scratch. What were some of your more memorable challenges, and how did you overcome them?
Fortunately, I was 35 when I started Miles. Had I thought about all the challenges I would be facing, I might have had second thoughts. Prior to launching Miles Chemical, I had preliminary discussions with various customers and suppliers. I wanted to know their thoughts and if they would support Miles Chemical. The support was there up, and until I “flipped the switch.” I knew this wasn’t a “New Coke” situation, but a bit concerning was an understatement.
On the supplier’s side, I was able to get things going by purchasing products at book price. In time I found some customers willing to make the change, allowed me to inventory products at their facility, and even pay early. This enabled customers to be taken care of and kept my expenses down and get the cash flow going. The biggest challenge was more at home when I had to tell my then-pregnant wife about the company I started and not worry about the bill collectors. Luckily, it all worked out as I am still married, 41 years with five kids and nine grandkids!
So fast forward as to how you were able to establish Miles Chemical as a viable coating and surface finishing supplier?
From the customer’s perspective, they were looking for local stock, quick-turn deliveries, technical support when needed, and someone to assist with environmental compliance. I would have to assume that holds true in other parts of the country as well.
As the years went on, we were seeing suppliers were being challenged in meeting those local requirements. Many had fully-staffed facilities in California and were talking about globalization, resource rationalization, and key account focus. With that, we saw supplier’s facilities and support personnel scaling down, acquired, or closed.
I don’t blame them as it must be hard for companies based in other parts of the country to easily adapt to the market changes on the west coast. Miles Chemical was at the right place, and the right time, doing the right things.
Can you elaborate on how you have structured Miles to meet West Coast finishing and coatings customer’s requirements?
I wish it were more complicated. Our hours are our customer’s hours- Pacific Time. When a customer calls, we answer the phone. Materials are warehoused and delivered from a local Mile’s facility by a Miles driver. It provides complete control and enables us to accommodate same day, next day, and emergency requirements. I still have my Class A license and won’t hesitate to drive an “18 wheeler” if duty calls.
We purchased the Anaheim facility from a supplier in 2007. With it came a full-service laboratory, as well as liquid and dry blending capabilities. We blend not only our own products but for other companies as well. They/we are not as dependent on finished products coming in from other parts of the country or burdened by the freight costs. Lastly, our field sales and technical support group are also locally based, many of who had previous experience working for a supplier or customer. When a customer needs us, we are there.
Earlier, you mentioned environmental compliance support. California has a reputation as being highly a highly regulated state. Was it by choice or by requirement?
I would have to say both. Environmental compliance is the standard and cannot be compromised. We take the approach of supporting our customer’s entire chemical life cycle, from the time a product is delivered into their facility until it can no longer be used. From empty container management, wastewater pretreatment support (to meet discharge regulations), and transportation, disposal, and documentation for the hazardous, non-hazardous and universal waste, we “have their solution.” In many cases, we deliver the virgin chemistry, pick up the empty drums, and transport the waste in the same truck.
So, what is Miles’s footprint today, and what are your plans for the next 25 years?
Along with our Arleta headquarters and Anaheim blending/laboratory facility, we have a distribution facility in San Leandro, California, and recently purchased a distribution/blending building in Madera, California. We are 100 people strong and will continue to support the finishing and coatings customers. We are becoming more technology-based with online customer interfaces, remote tank telemetry, and PLC controlled processes. From a product standpoint, we are very engaged with newer chemical technologies. Not sure if I will be doing this 25 years from now, but the company will be in good hands with my son, Michael, our current CEO, and the team we have in place.
For information, visit www.mileschemical.com or call 818-504-3355.
