Before table base manufacturing became the primary focus of Valley Design , our finishing services played a major role in day-to-day operations. Alongside powder coating, one process stood out for both its innovation and its impact: autophoretic coating. Starting in 1997, this technology supported customers across the country and became an important chapter in the company’s growth story.
What Is Autophoretic Coating?
Autophoretic coating (A-coat) is an environmentally friendly, water-based finishing process that chemically coats metal without using electricity.
Instead of relying on an electrical current, the process involves immersing metal parts in a specialized cleaning bath. During this cleaning bath, a chemical reaction creates a thin, uniform coating but leaves all non-metal parts uncoated.
Its Era of Operation
For approximately 15 years, Valley Design operated a full A-Coat line, providing finishing services to customers throughout the United States.
During this period, finishing was not just a supporting function but a core part of our services that helped establish our reputation for reliability and quality.
Shifting Towards Manufacturing
In 2012, as demand for table base manufacturing grew, Valley Design made the strategic choice to discontinue the A-Coat line. This allowed us to streamline operations and expand our manufacturing capacity. While the A-coat line was phased out, we retained our powder coat paint lines – which continue to play a vital role in ensuring the durability, consistency, and high quality finish customers expect today.
Supporting Staff Through Change
One of the most important parts of this transition wasn’t equipment or floor space, it was the people.
Every team member who worked on the autophoretic line remained employed and successfully transitioned into new roles within the organization. This allowed us to retain our valued employees and still support Valley Design’s long-term growth.
Its Place in Our Story
Although we no longer offer autophoretic coating, its impact remains an important part of the company’s history. Today, that same spirit of adaptability continues to guide Valley Design as we work to evolve with changing needs, all while staying committed to our employees, high quality standards, and product innovation.
Want to learn more about Valley Design’s history? Read more about it and other company news here.
