Metal Solutions in Utica, New York, installed a new powder coating system at its Broad Street plant with the help of a grant.
Cathy ThiavilleThe company had previously utilized a smaller, manually-operated system that limited production at the metal fabrication plant. As a result, work was outsourced, leading to longer turnaround times and issues with quality control and logistics.
Metal Solutions, with encouragement from its customers, installed a system that included an automated powder coat booth, a new part wash system, conveyors, an environment chamber, a powder recovery system, a 25-ton chiller, and additional support equipment.
In order to incorporate the new system into its plant, it needed to upgrade its electric service to 60 kilowatts and 1,600 amperes.
Metal Solutions turned to National Grid for assistance, and they delivered, awarding the company a $100,000 economic development grant from our Electric Capital Investment Incentive program.
“National Grid economic development incentives are catalysts that promote growth,” says Alberto Bianchetti, regional director of customer and community engagement for National Grid. “Supporting Metal Solutions gives the company the tools it needs to grow and serve its customers in ways it couldn’t previously.”
The new powder coating equipment allows Metal Solutions to meet increasing demands from its current customers and greater capacity to serve new clients. By increasing its electric service, the company is also able to expand and upgrade other equipment in future years.
“Metal Solutions would like to thank National Grid for their excellent support on this project,” says Cathy Thiaville, CEO of Metal Solutions. “We are grateful for all of their efforts, not only the financial assistance but also the support of the teams that assisted with the implementation. Central New York businesses are lucky to have such a strong partner in National Grid.”
Metal Solutions produces components for the mass transit, HVAC/R, metal cabinetry and furniture, lighting, and air filtration industries. The family-owned company, founded in 1954, employs more than 125 employees at its Broad Street plant.
Since 2003, National Grid’s 18 economic development programs have provided more than $125 million in assistance, helping to create or retain more than 60,000 jobs and supporting almost $10 billion in private and public investment across upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs is available at www.shovelready.com.
Additionally, National Grid provides economic development support during the pandemic through its Manufacturing Productivity Program. The program fast-tracks economic development requests to assist businesses that transitioned their facilities to produce critical medical equipment and supplies needed to fight COVID-19.
