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| Company type | Surface Finishing |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Kuntz Brewery |
| Founded | October 16, 1948 (1948-10-16) |
| Founder | Oscar Kuntz |
| Headquarters | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
| Key people | Paul Kuntz, Robert Kuntz Sr. (CEO) |
| Revenue | $100,000,000+ |
| Number of employees | 500 |
| Website | kuntz |
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 12,000 square feet (1,100 m).
1960-1969
- 1965, moved to current location on Wilson Ave. 19,000 square feet (1,800 m).
- 1968, anniversary added 11,000 square feet (1,000 m) 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 52,000 square feet (4,800 m).
- 1978, joined Magna International added 23,000 square feet (2,100 m).
1980-1989
- 1985, added 7,500 square feet (700 m) for waste treatment plant.
- 1988, expanded to 425 employees for 40th anniversary.
- 1989, acquired "Formulated Coatings of Brampton." added 90 employees and a 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m) 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 750,000-square-foot (70,000 m) 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.
Major Clients
- General Motors
- Ford
- Harley-Davidson
- Toyota
- BMW
- Audi
- Honda
- Jaguar Cars
- Bentley
- Volvo
- Mercedes-Benz
- Freightliner Trucks