A Smoker Craft boat is shown in action. Photo provided.

News Release

A Smoker Craft boat railing is shown being formed after being coated by Winona Powder Coating. The powder coating is required to endure extreme post-forming angles. Photo provided.

ETNA GREEN — A recent project between Winona Powder Coating, Etna Green, and Smoker Craft Inc., New Paris, has received national attention in the industry publication “Products Finishing.”

The project reviewed involved the post-forming of powder coated aluminum rails for Smoker Craft pontoons.

“This story really illustrates what can happen when manufacturers, finishers and materials suppliers work closely together towards a common goal,” said Jamie Visker, chief executive officer of Winona Powder Coating.

Josh Drudge, operations vice president at Smoker Craft, said that “past attempts at powder coating and then post-forming rails met with problems — peeling, cracking and subsequent corrosion,” but they persisted in seeking a powder coating solution.

“We are willing to go to the end to figure this out,” Visker said. “If we can solve it, we will do it. We’ll do chemistry; we’ll look at powders; we’ll go everywhere we need to go.” He added, “Everybody worked together. Whatever this project demanded, the challenge was met; everybody was in. It’s a great success story.”

Drudge said he was impressed with Winona Powder Coating’s effort.

Winona Powder Coating now reports coating parts for 175 Smoker Craft boats each week.

Read the entire “Products Finishing” article here.