Doubling Coatings Capacity by Building a Smarter, Scalable Operation

By Miranda Daugherty

As the needs of American manufacturers evolve, coatings providers must adapt their operations—not just in size, but in strategy. That’s the approach NIX^® Industrial took with its recent expansion: a relocation and doubling of its coatings operation in Poseyville, IN.

NIX^® Industrial is a 5th-generation, family-owned company offering metal services including fabrication, coatings, machining, and field operations. Headquartered in Poseyville, IN, the company serves industrial customers throughout the Midwest and beyond, with a focus on keeping America’s industries safe, efficient, and reliable. In the third quarter of 2024, the company completed a new 30,000-square-foot coatings facility replacing the company’s former 15,000-square-foot site. It sits directly adjacent to their metal fabrication and advanced machining operations. The location is central to the company’s goals for streamlining workflows, improving efficiency, and scaling for the future.

Why Proximity Matters
With coatings now located just steps away from fabrication, NIX^® Industrial has eliminated the need to transport parts between separate facilities. The result is less downtime, more control over lead times, and clearer communication between teams.

“Bringing services together in one place helps reduce handoffs and prevent delays,” said Jeremy Will, general manager of operations. “It allows for better planning and a more efficient, connected workflow.”

This change reflects a broader strategy at NIX^® Industrial—designing operations based on how materials and teams move, not just increasing square footage. With coatings and fabrication integrated, projects can now move from raw steel to finished, coated product without leaving the site.

Built for Flexibility and Throughput
The new facility was planned to handle both high-volume production and specialized industrial work. It includes powder coating and liquid paint capabilities, along with a larger curing oven, improved part prep areas, and expanded space for material handling with cranes, fork trucks, and rack systems.

“We’re now set up to take on a wider range of part sizes and coatings requirements,” said Ashley Kiesel, who leads efforts around safety, quality, and process improvement for the NIX^® Industrial team. “That flexibility has made a real difference in how we serve industrial and OEM customers.”

Increased ceiling heights, multiple bay doors, and wider fork truck and crane lanes provide better access throughout the shop, allowing for improved part flow. Layout decisions were made to reduce material handling fatigue and avoid congestion, supporting both quality and team safety.

Practical Improvements That Support Growth
NIX^® Industrial’s coatings team now operates with more consistent part flow, clearer roles, and more defined staging zones. This not only increases throughput but makes onboarding and training more straightforward for new team members.

Instead of defaulting to automated equipment, NIX^® Industrial designed the space to work well for both large, repeatable orders and one-off industrial parts. That decision was based on the company’s experience working across a wide range of industries, including plastics, heavy equipment, transportation, and manufacturing.

“We focused on smart layout and reliable systems before adding new layers of automation,” Jeremy explained. “That lets us maintain quality and adapt quickly without overcomplicating the process.”

Supporting Workforce Development Through Expansion
While the physical improvements were substantial, the move also supported internal growth. The expanded space has opened up more defined roles and clearer advancement paths for the team.

“This isn’t just about adding square footage—it’s about creating opportunity,” said Lindsey Nix, director of public relations. “We want our team members to grow with the company and see a future here.”

NIX^® Industrial has continued investing in leadership development, technical training, and cross-functional roles that allow team members to gain experience across coatings, fabrication, and support areas. With the new coatings facility in place, team collaboration and workflow alignment have improved, making growth easier to manage for both people and processes.

A Scalable Model for Industry Transition
Beyond Poseyville, NIX^® Industrial has introduced a new franchise initiative that shares its operational model with other companies in the industry. The company offers individuals looking to start a metal, machine, or coatings operation the chance to establish a business of their own, with the guidance and support of the NIX team and their processes. The same opportunity goes to current owner operators in business who are looking to expand and grow.

“You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself,” said Matthew Nix, president of NIX^® Industrial. “We’re offering a way to use systems that are already proven, especially in areas where experienced shop owners are retiring and the next generation needs a solid foundation. As a franchise owner, you’ll have the opportunity to align yourself with our mission and join a legacy brand. Through the support of industry trained leaders and proven management systems, you’ll be equipped with the experience, knowledge, and tools to take your business to new heights.”

This effort is designed to address workforce and ownership gaps in the industry by giving businesses tools to grow without being absorbed by larger corporations. It also gives NIX^® Industrial a way to support partners in new markets without expanding its own facilities directly.

A Framework for the Future
For others in the industry, NIX^® Industrial’s coatings expansion provides a useful case study in how facility upgrades can support both current demand and long-term scalability. Key takeaways include:

• Layout matters as much as size: Design spaces around how parts and people move.
• Flexibility supports growth: High-mix operations benefit from modular workflows more than rigid automation.
• Co-location improves quality: Proximity between services allows for faster communication and fewer handoffs.
• Workforce development must be built in: Facility improvements should support team learning and long- term careers.
• Scalability can extend beyond your walls: Sharing systems and processes can help strengthen the broader industry. 

As the Poseyville location continues to grow, NIX^® Industrial remains focused on improving operations through process-driven decisions—not just expansion for expansion’s sake.

Miranda Daugherty is digital sales and marketing manager at NIX^® Industrial.