Twin Cites Chapter April Plant Tour

Submitted by Pat Cullen

On April 19^th the TC-CCAI Chapter sponsored another successful plant tour for the programing year. Over 40 finishing industry people attended a tour of Lou-Rich Contract Engineering and Manufacturing located in Albert Lea, MN

Those in attendance learned of the unique Lou-Rich capabilities of OEM, custom engineering and fabrication services, product extrusions and a paint & powder production line.

The Lou-Rich Company is actually the combined names of the two company founders and was founded in 1972. Lou-Rich has grown since its founding to a current work force of 400 employees, with a total multi-facility floor space of 4000,000 sq. ft.

Plant Manager John Bills offered a presentation on Lou-Rich covering the products manufactured, the various work cells and the different racking configurations utilized in the plant. After the presentation, the tour attendees were assembled into four groups and had the opportunity to go out to the factory floor and in addition to a newer paint & powder line operation were able to view multiple robot welding/assembly lines, unique machining centers and the overall material handling system.

Thanks to the Lou-Rich Team for hosting the TC-CCAI.

Current TC-CCAI President, Angela Kokesh presents Past President plaques to Pat Cullen (2007/2009) Mark Walsworth (2010/2011).The service award plaques were presented to Pat and Mark at the November TC-CCAI Board of Directors meeting.

SCOTT BERG TC-CCAI 2010-2011 SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

Scott Berg of Robovent Solutions Group was recently awarded the “Supplier of the Year” Award by the Twin Cities Chapter of the CCAI.

For the last 1-1/2 years, Scott has been the Finish Line Specialist for Robovent Solutions Group headquartered in Sterling Heights, MI. Robovent is primarily a manufacturer and supplier of welding fume extraction systems and also furnishes paint & powder application equipment and finishing systems. Scott travels the United States for Robovent as the Finish Line Specialist.

Scott began a sales and service career in the finishing industry in 1984 selling paint and paint spray equipment and has remained in the industry in finishing equipment sales over the last 27 years.

Scott’s connection with the CCAI began 11 years ago when he joined the Twin Cities CCAI Chapter. In the past, Scott has served on the TC-CCAI Board of Directors and has been active in numerous local Chapter events. Scott states that one of the most important facets that he has received from his TC-CCAI membership is “the networking that has helped him immensely”. Scott said that being exposed to various methods of finishing methods has also been of great help to him.

Congratulations Scott Berg – TC-CCAI Supplier of the Year.

BERNIE WALZ TC-CCAI 2010-11 USER OF THE YEAR

Bernie Walz of Pentair Technical Products (Anoka, MN) has been awarded the “User of the Year” Award by the Twin Cities Chapter of the CCAI.

Pentair began in 1945 and is now a world leader in the manufacturing of electrical control cabinets of all sizes. Bernie has been with Pentair for seven years and his overall finishing career spans 24 years. Bernie’s title with Pentair is Global Coating Engineer. Bernie’s primary responsibility at Pentair is coordinating the paint and powder finishing systems for Pentair’s 16 global coating systems.

One of the primary duties for Bernie is to oversee taking the best practices from the global facilities and then coordinate and implement those practices into all of the other facilities. This of course is an ongoing process for Bernie.

Bernie has been a member of the Twin Cities Chapter of the CCAI for five years and is currently a member of the TC Chapter Board of Directors. Bernie has taken part in other numerous Chapter activities in his years of membership.

When asked about the primary benefit of belonging to the CCAI, Bernie said that “Membership in the CCAI offers him a panel of experts that can offer him answers to finishing challenges when he may not have the answers.

Congratulations Bernie Walz – TC-CCAI User of the Year.

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