American Galvanizing Company Begins Third Decade in Business Leads Industry Through Technology, Quality & Service
Originally Published in Utility and Transportation Contractor February, 2003
American Galvanizing Company Begins Third Decade in Business
Leads Industry Through Technology, Quality & Service
American Galvanizing Company operates from its plant in Folsom, New Jersey and has developed a solid reputation over the past twenty years for its zinc coating process. As the firm begins its third decade of operation, American Galvanizing Company is recognized as a national leader in the galvanizing industry. The company has achieved great results after taking over a struggling operation that existed at the site in 1982.
John Gregor, President of American Galvanizing Company, took over operations at the Folsom site in 1986. He brought with him over 10 years of experience in steel fabrication and a general understanding of galvanizing, with a reputation for success in turning around floundering operations. Within a short time, Gregor instituted a number of changed at the plant, instilled the concept of “Quick Turnaround Service”, and got the operation up to speed.
Through the application of new technology in zinc coating and a focus on quality and service, American Galvanizing instituted the guarantee of an expedited galvanizing job, at the time required by the customer, whether it was in a few days, the next day or even the day the product is delivered to the plant. The firm’s operation is predicted on a scheduling discipline that has earned high marks with its customers.
American Galvanizing Company has established the latest technologies in its zinc coating operation. The company instituted up to date environmental controls and focused on safety throughout its plant. Most key employees have been with the company for much of the last twenty years and are particularly knowledgeable about their tasks. Quality assurance is the driving force during the galvanizing operation.
Personnel at the plant begin the process through careful surface preparations that involves degreasing, pickling and fluxing under tightly controlled shop conditions. This process provides for a consistent and reliable coating which leads to a long predictable service life. Hot dip galvanizing coatings are applied by immersing the prepared iron or steel fabrications in a bath of molten zinc.
American Galvanizing’s “Double Nickel Kettle” is fifty-five feet long, eight and one half feet deep and an environmentally friendly, “low lead” zinc bath. After the galvanized metallingical bond is completed, the product is withdrawn from the tank carrying with it a layer of molten zinc which solidifies and compliments the underlying iron-zinc phases. This process is followed by careful inspection to assure the high confidence level in the quality of the product.
One of the ways that the firm achieves excellent quality is in its two-shift operation. The first shift includes the most experiences personnel who are responsible for operating the actual immersion process through the kettle. Added to that Quality Control personnel who interphase with customers and inspection agencies to assure that all pertinent specifications are met. This group follows each product through its final inspections. The second shift is primarily responsible for setting up the next day’s dipping, and some clean up on a daily basis allow for a smooth flowing and efficient operation.
Another interesting aspect of American Galvanizing Company is the strong background of key personnel, not only in galvanizing, but in the steel industry as a whole. Joe Hickey, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, has over 30 years of steel, of which 10 are at AGC. George Cheesman, Operations Manager, boasts 30 years in steel as well (20 in fabrication and 10 years at AGC) and Ryan Lux, Q>C. Manager, who has been in the galvanizing industry over 10 years of which the last 6 have been at AGC. Couple all this with the experience of John Gregor, and American Galvanizing brings to the table over 100years of experience in steel or 50 years if experience in the galvanizing field!
American Galvanizing Company takes great pride in providing the finest zinc coated product available in the industry. This philosophy, when combined with its commitment to meeting product delivery schedules, is the reason for the firm’s remarkable growth and success over the years. Its finished products are part of our bridges, transit facilities, power plants, communications centers and sports stadiums throughout the country.
Some of the firm’s recent customers include L.B Foster, L&M Fabricators, RCC Fabricators, Skyline Steel, Watson-Bowman and High Steel. The products for these firms can now be found as part of the new Philadelphia Eagles Stadium, Lincoln Tunnel, Brookdale College, Passaic River Bridge, Ben Franklin Bridge, Secaucus Transfer Stations, PSE&G Linden Plant and at the Battleship New Jersey.
American Galvanizing Company and its 75 employees have achieved a great deal over the past twenty years. Led by John Gregor, who served two terms as President of the American Galvanizers’ Association and is currently Chairman of Technical Services Committee, the company’s galvanizing operation has been taken to the next level. The knowledge and dedication of the AGC team toward a quality product has set the stage for even greater success in the future.
