Building Trust Through Long-Term Partnerships: The Acme Difference

Finding a coating partner who can handle both high-volume production and custom finishing needs while maintaining world-class quality standards isn’t just challenging – it’s critical to your product’s success. Your coating provider represents the final step in your manufacturing process, and their work directly impacts how customers perceive your brand.

At Acme, we’ve spent over 90 years building our reputation as more than just a coating provider – we’re a true production partner to some of the world’s most trusted brands. Operating from two facilities with a combined 125,000 square feet just outside Chicago, we’ve built our business to be the ideal production paint partner for global brands and their suppliers.

In this article, we’ll explore how Acme’s unique approach to customer partnerships has helped global manufacturers streamline their operations, improve quality, and build lasting relationships that stand the test of time.

The Acme Difference: People-First Partnerships

“I truly believe that building personal relationships with customers is equally, if not more, important than just a business relationship,” says Brandon Stern, one of Acme’s dedicated sales professionals. “At the end of the day, we’re all people, and you want to be friendly and build a real relationship outside of business.”

This philosophy isn’t just talk – it’s built into the fabric of our organization. With team members who have been with us for decades, including our quality manager (30 years) and line supervisor (40 years), we offer the stability and expertise that only comes from long-term commitment to excellence. Our dedicated customer service professionals, like Yvette Romero who has been with us for 10 years, ensure consistent, reliable support for every client.

Beyond the Coating: A Complete Production Partner

What sets Acme apart isn’t just our technical capabilities, it’s also:

• Eight production areas with three powder lines and three liquid lines
• Capacity to handle hundreds of thousands of parts per day
• Large part capability with a window size of 26′ x 8′ x 4′
• Ability to process parts weighing up to 1,000 lbs
• Special handling for parts up to 40 feet in length in small volumes
• Partnerships with every major paint and powder manufacturer
• Screening, assembly, and kitting services

Our comprehensive certifications demonstrate our commitment to quality:

• ISO 9001:2015 certification (Certificate #01.099.1)
• ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification (Certificate #15.219.5)
• ISO 45001:2018 occupational health and safety certification (Certificate #20.264.1)
• IFS Coatings AAMA 2604 & 2605 certification
• Axalta Coatings AAMA 2604 & 2605 certification
• CQI 12 Special Process / Coating System certification
• Tier 2 certification for Ford, Lincoln, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota

Problem-Solving as a Team

When challenges arise – as they inevitably do in complex manufacturing operations – Acme takes a unique approach. “If there’s a problem that arises, we get a whole group together,” explains Brandon. “We knock heads on it, figure it out, come up with corrective action, and develop a step-by-step plan to fix it.”

This collaborative problem-solving approach, combined with our decades of experience since our founding in 1932 by William Walters, means we can tackle even the most complex coating challenges. Four generations of the Walters family have contributed to building this legacy of excellence. Since 2015, Stacker Holdings’ investment has helped drive further improvements and innovations.

Why It Matters: The Bottom Line

We understand our role in your supply chain: we’re only 10% of the cost, but 100% of what your customer sees. Over the past five years, we’ve continued to invest in plant improvements, including:

• Addition of a new chain-on-edge production line
• Conversion of two unused loading docks into functional storage space
• Investment in equipment for a new metal tube cutting operation

Looking Forward

As we continue to serve as the final step in more than 20 global supply chains, we remain committed to the principles that have guided us for over 90 years. They are excellent customer service, cutting-edge coating equipment, and genuine partnerships with our clients. From our base in Elk Grove Village, IL, we’re proud to serve some of the world’s most respected brands, including Kohler, Sloan Valve, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Weber Grill, Eaton, Schneider Electric, Hewlett Packard, and Amazon.

Ready to experience the Acme difference? Contact us today to discuss how we can become your trusted coating partner.