Kuntz Electroplating Explained

Kuntz Electroplating Incorporated
Type:	Surface Finishing
Predecessor:	Kuntz Brewery
Founder:	Oscar Kuntz
Location City:	Kitchener, Ontario
Location Country:	Canada
Key People:	Paul Kuntz, Robert Kuntz Sr. (CEO)
Revenue:	$70,000,000+
Num Employees:	850

Kuntz Electroplating Incorporated is a family owned surface finishing company specializing in Chrome plating. It is North America's largest polishing and plating company for original equipment manufacturers of steel, aluminum and zinc components for the automotive, motorcycle, appliance and specialty equipment industries.

The company is one of the oldest and largest companies in Waterloo Region.

Kuntz was a division of Magna International for 12 years (1978-1990).

History

The Kuntz Brewery was sued in 1929 for bootlegging to the United States for $200,000. The Brewery had to be sold and the leftover money was passed down to Oscar Kuntz where, 18 years later, he started building a new company for plating metal.

The company is now owned by the sons of Oscar, Bobby Kuntz and Paul Kuntz.

Expansion

Original Purchase

In 1947 Oscar Kuntz purchased a building owned by Carr Brothers on Princess Street in Waterloo. At that time named Metal Finishers.

1950-1959

1951, company moved to the larger Nyberg Street location. 6,000 square feet 50 employees.
1956, expansion to 12000square feet.

1960-1969

1965, moved to current location on Wilson Ave. 19000square feet.
1968, anniversary added 11000square feet the "old Hoist Line" and a new Polishing building, 100 employees.

1970-1979

1973, new maintenance division, chemical lab, quality control center, automotive lines and shipping department, 150 employees and 52000square feet.
1978, joined Magna International added 23000square feet.

1980-1989

1985, added 7500square feet for waste treatment plant.
1988, expanded to 425 employees for 40th anniversary.
1989, acquired "Formulated Coatings of Brampton." added 90 employees and a 120000square feet facility.

1990-1999

1990, separated from Magna International to pursue own interests.
1993-1996, large growth allowed the acquisition of 300 new employees for a total of 675.
1997, wheel plating expanded (now the largest sector) hired 150 new employees.
1999, adopted environmentally friendly practices, built steam generator giving 50% of total power.

2000-2009

2000, expanded plating line, adopted a new robotics program to raise production and added a new water treatment facility.
2001, The company reached its peak with 1,200 employees and a 750000square feet complex.
2004, partnered with Harley-Davidson bring total production up to 3,000,000 parts per year.
2008, company downsizes to endure global recession. It was one of the few manufacturers to survive in Waterloo Region.

2010-Present

2010, recalled a portion of the laid off workers bringing total back to 850 employees.