Pries Enterprises opened their new aluminum anodizing line in Independence, Iowa. The new line shapes the company into a vertically integrated one stop shop for aluminum extrusions, anodizing and fabrication, thus opening several new doors for the company and its customers.
“Our new anodizing line will allow us to dramatically reduce our lead times for our customers,” said Matt McMahon, president of Pries Enterprises. “We will now be able to anodize over 25 million lbs of aluminum per year.”
Pries partnered with Joe Andrade of Andrade Anodize Consulting, who helped to oversee the construction and startup of the new line.
Completed after a year of construction, the new 50,000 sq ft expansion includes a fully-automated anodizing line with 36 ft tanks — making it unique in not only Iowa, but also the entire Midwest. With its new anodizing line, the company will be able to offer processing of aluminum profiles up to 34 ft in length. It will perform conventional sulfuric Type II anodize coatings, acid and conventional caustic etches, clear and architectural bronze coatings up to class I (ranging from champagne to black), and AAMA 611-compliant Class I and Class II coatings.
“With in-house anodizing, Pries will be able to guarantee extruded and anodized aluminum in just four weeks,” said McMahon. “Providing better lead times will help our customers reduce inventory and increase their cash flow. Also, anodizing in house allows us to control our quality and offer our customers even better service.”
The anodizing line started operation in September 2019. McMahon says the expansion creates around 40 new jobs, providing new opportunities for residents of Independence and surrounding areas.
Pries Enterprises is a family-owned aluminum extrusion manufacturer located in Independence. Since 1976, the company has provided extruded aluminum and fabricated parts to companies in the Midwest and throughout the U.S. The company operates three extrusion presses (with circle sizes up to 14 inches), as well as providing anodizing and fabrication capabilities.
Editor’s Note: A full length feature article on Pries Enterprises and its new capabilities will be appearing in the forthcoming January 2020 issue of Light Metal Age.