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Associated Finishing, Inc.
320 Mallard Lane
Mankato, MN, 56001
phone: (507) 345-5861
toll free: (866) 345-5861
fax: (507) 345-5828 |
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Mission Statement
To provide the application or removal of organic coatings with emphasis on the following:
For our Customers: Consistently provide quality work in a timely manner at a competitive price.
For our Employees: Foster a work environment that attracts and inspires excellence in people, consistently
providing a safe environment with the opportunity for personal growth.
For our Society: Develop and consistently accomplish this mission while advocating corporate and personal
environmental responsibility.
Our mission is to achieve these objectives while maintaining significant growth and profitability for
shareholders.
The History of AFI
Associated Finishing was originally established as Associated Engineering in 1952 by Fred W. Cords.
Associated Engineering was focused on free-lance engineering and design work on a part-time basis.
In 1965, William "Bill" Klammer Sr. and his wife, Irene purchased a very small Associated Engineering
company. It was located just two blocks away from our present day facility. Associated Engineering had just
3 employees.
Bill Klammer continued doing some design work, but began to branch into liquid spray painting as a way to
maintain a more consistent cash flow for his new company. AE began to grow steadily.
In 1976, Bill's health took a downward turn and he as a result, turned the company over to his eldest son,
William "Chuck" Klammer. Chuck decided to steer the direction of Associated Engineering to something he
understood – painting.
Powder coating was just starting out in the 1970's. Chuck was interested in this technology and convinced
his father to let him add a powder coating line to the company’s services. This gave AE an entirely new
market to explore. It didn't take long and Associated Engineering was long on work and short on capacity.
Since 1980, we have expanded our facilities 4 different times to accommodate new equipment and expanding
services. Currently our building is 34,000 square feet under one roof.
Associated Engineering became Associated Finishing, Inc. in May, 1998. This name change came because it
better reflected the type of work the company was developing.
THE NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS ON March 13, 2009
!!! New Generation of Ownership at AFI !!!
Tradition of Excellence Continues
We are excited to announce that Associated Finishing has been successfully purchased by long-time employees
Ted Schreyer and John Kapsner. Former AFI owner and president Chuck Klammer has been committed for many
years to keeping the business in the hands of people who helped build it. As Klammer states, "Looking at my
age on the measuring tape and realizing the goals I still have in my life, I decided it was time to make the
transition. Sometimes the older quarterback has to step down and let the younger quarterback take over."
Chuck is retiring after more than 40 years in the finishing business.
Ted Schreyer and John Kapsner are now equal shareholders in the business. Together, they have more than 50
years of experience with AFI.
Schreyer, who takes the reigns as President, joined AFI as a painter in 1978 when the company was applying
liquid paint and experimenting with a new phenomenon called "Powder Coat". Throughout high school and
college, Ted worked with AFI and decided to stay with the company after graduating in 1985. During the late
1980's, he covered various administrative roles with the company and eventually took over all production
responsibilities when John Kapsner was hired in 1988 to handle finances. Ted has remained V.P. of Operations
since that time.
Kapsner was actually AFI's banker during the 1980's. In 1988, he joined AFI's staff because he had a desire
to eventually own a business and AFI looked like a promising opportunity. He has run the office and
administrative portion of the business as V.P. of Administration since he was hired.
With Kapsner's financial background and Schreyer's finishing background, the two are excited to take AFI
into the future. This transition has been in the planning stages for a number of years and all parties are
happy with the agreement.
"We are blessed with a terrific staff and we are all committed to continuously improve on the quality and
service we have become known for."
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