Electroplating & Surface Engineering opens a second industrial plant for surface treatments on auto parts

This new facility marks a milestone in the surface treatment sector, standing out for its advanced technology and commitment to quality. With a vision of innovation and expansion, Electroplating & Surface Engineering aims to strengthen its position as a leader in the national and international market by offering innovative solutions that meet the demands of the automotive sector and other emerging markets.

Electroplating & Surface Engineering, a recognized Mexican company dedicated to surface treatment services for automotive parts, successfully inaugurated its second industrial plant to increase the capacity of current processes and expand the range of surface treatments with the future installation of additional production lines.

The new facility is located in Celaya, Gto., just a few meters from Plant #1, a strategic location to serve the industry across the entire national territory.

“This second production plant represents the growth of our company by providing services to national and foreign companies, mainly in the automotive sector, covering the needs for surface treatments on metallic auto parts,” Stated Francisco Granados, General Director and founder of Electroplating & Surface Engineering.

This opening adds to the first plant, which began operations in 2015 and now has five fully automated production lines compliant with CQI-11 automotive standards.

“The new plant arises from the need to meet the growing demands of the automotive industry both in capacity for traditional processes and in specialized treatments focused on technological trends such as hybrid and electric mobility, establishing new production lines,” Granados added, that: “Electroplating & Surface Engineering also serves companies outside the automotive sector whose products have high-quality demands and benefit from our IATF 16949 Certification.”

Juan Manuel Monreal y Francisco Granados

Electroplating & Surface Engineering employs nearly 40 highly trained professionals specializing in surface treatments. With two plants now in operation, their greatest challenge is rapid growth while exceeding customer satisfaction as a high-volume automotive service company.

“Our work is international; our customer base consists of Asian, European, and North American companies. We receive an international visit almost every week, and visitors invariably express their positive impression of our technical and human capabilities.”

At the inauguration event, Francisco Granados was joined by Juan Manuel Monreal Espinosa, technical advisor; Luis Hurtado, Director of Zinklad Programs Mexico; and Alfredo Arzola, General Director of the Automotive Cluster of Guanajuato State, who highlighted the importance of the new facility.

“Electroplating & Surface Engineering represents a Mexican entrepreneur integrated into high-value-added products for the automotive industry and other sectors. One remarkable aspect is how the industry itself has developed talent—managers, executives—and today we see how some of them, like this company, have been able to undertake and grow successfully.”

Johnatan Martínez (Claugto), Salvador Jiménez (Elay), Francisco Granados Luis Hurtado, Alfredo Arzola (Claugto).

In the words of Luis Hurtado, Director of Zinklad Programs Mexico: “Electroplating & Surface Engineering is a national and international benchmark, as it holds several certifications, including Zinklad: 96, 250, 1000, 1000B, 1000B-EXP, which guarantee high-performance functional treatments with globally standardized processes approved by major automakers.”

In a festive and cheerful atmosphere, the ceremony was attended by shareholders, main customers, CLAUGTO executives, strategic suppliers, the managerial team, and executives from the company’s main clients.

The origins of E-Plating

After receiving numerous client emails requesting surface and specific treatments in 2013, Granados, who was working at the time as General Manager in a heat treatment company for the automotive industry and a global leader in that field, he identified a significant opportunity.

At that moment, and after conducting meticulous research, he realized that there was no provider in the region or country capable of offering the type of service clients were requesting. Without hesitation, he decided to take a step forward.

With technical and administrative experience under his belt, he invited Juan Manuel Monreal to join the project. Monreal, an expert in surface treatments and an academic in Electrometallurgy at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, was also a graduate from the same institution as Granados.

They proceeded to incubate the company at ITESM, preparing the business plan that has been the foundation of their commercial and administrative success.

Thus, in 2015, Electroplating & Surface Engineering began operations with its first plant, starting with a client from Slovenia. Currently, 80% of their clients are foreign companies based in Mexico, ranging from Japan, Germany, and Spain to the United States.

However, neither borders nor language have been obstacles for the Mexican company. On the contrary, they saw them as opportunities for growth and development.

High-level engineering

Surface treatment services for automotive parts involve specialized processes applied to vehicle components to improve their functional or aesthetic external properties. These treatments aim to increase resistance to corrosion, enhance lubrication, improve electrical conductivity, facilitate solderability, and more, ensuring the performance of automotive components and extending the life of vehicles, machinery, or equipment.

The importance of surface treatments is evident, as without them, components cannot fulfill their intended functions

Electroplating & Surface Engineering offers the following services:

Electroplating:

• Electrodeposited Zn (zinc) coatings with clear, yellow, or black passivates.
• Electrodeposited ZnNi (zinc-nickel) alloy coatings with clear and black passivates.
• Electrodeposited Sn (tin) and/or Ni (nickel) coatings.

Lubricants and sealants (Top coats):

• Integral lubricants for COF (coefficient of friction) control.
• OOrganic or inorganic treatments to enhance corrosion resistance.

Passivation, surface chemical conversion treatments for:

• Zn (zamak) alloys.
• Cu and its alloys.
• Stainless steels.

Hydrogen relief (de-embrittlement/de-hydrogenation):

• A critical process for steel parts hardened to 32 HRC or greater or with mechanical strength exceeding 1000 N/mm².
• Continuous ovens for high volumes with standard residence times.
• Batch ovens for low volumes with extended residence times.

Mechanical finishes:

• Shot blasting for removing oxidation after heat treatment.
• Vibratory deburring.
• Vibratory polishing or burnishing.