Kuntz Electroplating
Encyclopedia
Chrome plating
Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness.-Process:A component to be chrome plated will...
. 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
Magna International
Magna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
for 12 years (1978-1990).
History
The Kuntz Brewery was sued in 1929 for bootleggingRum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
to the United States
Prohibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
for $200,000,000. 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
Bobby Kuntz
Robert John "Bobby" Kuntz Sr. , was a former professional Canadian football linebacker who played eleven seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
and Paul Kuntz.
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 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²).
1960-1969
- 1965, moved to current location on Wilson Ave. 19000 square feet (1,765.2 m²).
- 1968, anniversary added 11000 square feet (1,021.9 m²) 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 52000 square feet (4,831 m²).
- 1978, joined Magna InternationalMagna InternationalMagna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
added 23000 square feet (2,136.8 m²).
1980-1989
- 1985, added 7500 square feet (696.8 m²) for waste treatment plant.
- 1988, expanded to 425 employees for 40th anniversary.
- 1989, acquired "Formulated Coatings of Brampton." added 90 employees and a 120000 square feet (11,148.4 m²) facility.
1990-1999
- 1990, separated from Magna International to peruse 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 750000 square feet (69,677.3 m²) complex.
- 2004, partnered with Harley-DavidsonHarley-DavidsonHarley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
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 MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
- Ford
- Harley-DavidsonHarley-DavidsonHarley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
- Toyota
- BMWBMWBayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
- AudiAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
- HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
- Jaguar Cars
- BentleyBentleyBentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
- VolvoVolvoAB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
- Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
- Freightliner TrucksFreightliner TrucksFreightliner Trucks is an American manufacturer of heavy duty trucks, chassis and semi-trailer trucks in the United States. The company was founded as Freightliner Inc in 1942 and is now a division of Daimler Trucks North America, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG...
Charitable Donations
Kuntz Electroplating has made numerous large donations to local charities and associations in Waterloo Region.- United WayUnited Way of CanadaUnited Way of Canada is the national organization for the 117 autonomous, volunteer-based United Ways across Canada. United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the...
of Waterloo Region - St. Mary's General HospitalSt. Mary's General HospitalSt. Mary's General Hospital is a 191-bed adult acute-care facility in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada serving Waterloo Region and surrounding area. It is the site of the Regional Cardiac Care Centre, which opened in 2003. The emergency department was extensively renovated in 2004.-History:St. Mary's...
- Junior AchievementJunior AchievementJunior Achievement or JA or JA Worldwide is a non-profit youth organization that was founded in 1919 by Horace A. Moses, Theodore Vail, and senator Winthrop M. Crane. JA focuses on educating kids in K-12 about the free enterprise system...
- Volunteer Action Center
- Grand River Trail
- Catholic Family Counseling Center