Reliable Plating Works
Reliable Plating Works is a Milwaukee-based, family-owned metal finishing and chrome plating job shop founded in 1929, serving enterprise customers across eight U.S. verticals including automotive, appliances, furniture, and medical via pre-plate, plating, and post-plate services backed by in-house lab testing and PPAP compliance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersMilwaukee, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Reliable Plating Works does
Reliable Plating Works, Inc. (RPW) is a Milwaukee-based, family-owned metal finishing and chrome plating job shop founded in 1929 by Julian Maliszewski and currently led by president Jaime Maliszewski. The company operates from a single 5230 South 13th Street facility and serves customers in every U.S. state, with primary regional density in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, and Indiana. Its customer base is segmented across eight verticals: appliances and food service, automotive, furniture, medical, plumbing, tools, hardware, and custom work, with named enterprise relationships including EST Company, Polaris, KI, Sico, Huebsch, and Strom Engineering.
RPW's core offering spans pre-plate preparation (polishing, buffing, deburring, vibratory finishing, design and engineering), plating processes (Copper Bright Nickel/Chrome, Satin Nickel/Chrome, Duplex Nickel/Chrome, Triplex Nickel/Chrome, Woods Nickel, Hexavalent Chrome, and Electroless Nickel applied to stainless steel, steel, brass, and aluminum substrates), and post-plate services (baking, drop shipping, packaging, kitting). Quality assurance is delivered through an in-house laboratory conducting 200+ daily chemistry tests, full statistical process control, weekly cross-department Quality Improvement Team reviews, and PPAP documentation for automotive and manufacturing customers. The company has operated under Six Sigma discipline since 2009 with four certified Green Belts and reports a 0% landfill waste commitment alongside measurable reductions (50% material over-usage, 80% startup waste, 30% energy cost).
Revenue is generated through quote-based, project-priced service contracts with no public pricing, sold via direct field sales from the Milwaukee headquarters and supported by a purchasing consortium relationship with Brilliance LLC (founded 2000) that grants enterprise-volume input pricing. Distribution is nationwide via direct sales relationships, with marketing primarily relationship-driven through industry associations (National Association of Surface Finishers, AGBA, MMAC), customer testimonials, and a digital presence via the company website and newsletter.
Reliable Plating Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Reliable Plating Works
- Legal name
- Reliable Plating Works, Inc.
- Website
- https://rpwinc.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Reliable Plating Works is a Milwaukee-based, family-owned metal finishing and chrome plating job shop founded in 1929, serving enterprise customers across eight U.S. verticals including automotive, appliances, furniture, and medical via pre-plate, plating, and post-plate services backed by in-house lab testing and PPAP compliance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Reliable Plating Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metal Finishing & Electroplating Services
- NAICS
- Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813), Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812)
- SIC
- Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives) (IMAEAKAK)
Keywords
Where Reliable Plating Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milwaukee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Reliable Plating Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Metal Finishing and Chrome Plating Services: One-time service-based revenue from metal finishing, chrome plating, and related pre/post-plate services. Customers pay per part or job based on material, complexity, and processing requirements. Pricing is quote-based with no public pricing available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Reliable Plating Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Reliable Plating Works provides contract metal finishing and chrome plating services, including pre-plate preparation (polishing, buffing, deburring, vibratory finishing), multi-layer nickel/chrome electroplating (copper bright, satin, duplex, triplex, woods nickel, hexavalent chrome, electroless nickel), and post-plate services (baking, drop shipping, packaging, kitting). The company supports customers across appliances, automotive, furniture, medical, plumbing, tools, and hardware with in-house lab analysis (200+ daily tests) and PPAP documentation.
Product overview
Reliable Plating Works is a metal finishing and chrome plating company offering a comprehensive portfolio of electroplating services. The core offering consists of multiple plating processes (Copper Bright Nickel/Chrome, Satin Nickel/Chrome, Duplex Nickel/Chrome, Triplex Nickel/Chrome, Woods Nickel, Hexavalent Chrome, and Electroless Nickel) applied to various metal substrates (stainless steel, steel, brass, aluminum). These are supported by pre-plate preparation services (polishing, buffing, deburring, vibratory, design, engineering) and post-plate services (baking, drop shipping, packaging, kitting). Quality assurance is delivered through in-house laboratory analysis with 200+ daily tests and PPAP documentation services. The company operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a modular software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pre-Plate Services
Companies that use Reliable Plating Works
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Reliable Plating Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Reliable Plating Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brilliance, LLCcoreRPW is a founding partner of this innovative purchasing consortium of regional industrial companies. As a member, RPW accesses savings on insurance, commodities, transportation, and lease equipment typically offered only to much larger companies. This partnership enables RPW to deliver exceptional quality at competitive prices.
- National Association of Surface FinishersminorMember of industry trade association for surface finishers providing access to industry standards, best practices, and professional network.
- Airport Gateway Business Association (AGBA)minorOrganization providing leadership in planning, promoting, and developing the vitality of the Gateway to Milwaukee aerotropolis surrounding General Mitchell International Airport. RPW president Jaime Maliszewski serves as vice president and founding member.
- Airport Gateway Business Improvement District #40 (AGBID)minorBusiness improvement district managed by AGBA. RPW president Jaime Maliszewski serves as vice president and founding member.
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of CommerceminorMember of local chamber of commerce providing networking and advocacy for Milwaukee business community.
- St. Joseph AcademyminorRPW partners with St. Joseph Academy on Milwaukee's south side, originally providing early childhood education and now offering quality instruction through second grade in a Christian-oriented environment. RPW leads the school's annual golf outing which has raised over $1 million over three decades.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Reliable Plating Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- National Association of Surface Finishers (NASF): The principal U.S. industry trade association for surface finishing, of which RPW is an active member. Industry ecosystem participant that indirectly benchmarks competitive practices and influences regulatory and best-practice standards relevant to RPW's market.
- Birchwood Technologies: A specialty chemical supplier to the metal finishing industry and a contract finisher of black oxide, zinc phosphate, and plating processes. An industry ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but operates at the chemistry-meets-finishing interface RPW works within.
Direct peers
- Techmetals: An Ohio-based plating and anodizing specialist serving aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial customers. Comparable to RPW on plating process depth and quality-focused customer mix.
- B & B Plating Company: A Midwest decorative chrome and nickel plating house serving automotive, appliance, and restoration markets. Closely analogous niche competitor to RPW with similar finish-portfolio focus.
- Arlington Plating Company: A full-service metal finishing shop providing electroplating of nickel, chrome, and copper for industrial and decorative customers. Highly comparable to RPW on plating process mix and multi-vertical customer base.
- Klein Plating Works: A long-established, multi-generational chrome and metal finishing shop in Pennsylvania offering decorative and functional plating. Closely comparable to RPW in vintage, family ownership, and broad nickel/chrome plating capabilities.
- Cadillac Plating Co. A Midwest-based decorative chrome plating specialist serving automotive restoration, motorcycles, and OEM customers. Directly comparable to RPW on chrome plating focus, customer mix, and decoration-heavy finishing work.
Broad incumbents
- Aalberts Surface Technologies: A global industrial surface treatment company providing plating, coating, and heat treatment services across multiple continents. Operates in the same electroplating/coating space as RPW at much greater scale and as part of a diversified portfolio.
- Pioneer Metal Finishing (Pioneer Clad and Surface Technology): A large, multi-site U.S. metal finishing provider offering plating, anodizing, and coating across many industries. Same broad electroplating service category as RPW but at significantly greater scale and geographic footprint.
Regional players
- Select-Tron Industries: A U.S. functional plating and finishing shop with a different geography but offering comparable plating services to industrial customers. Comparable on plating process offerings and quality-driven customer mix, though serving distinct regional accounts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Reliable Plating Works social profiles
Digital presenceReliable Plating Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Reliable Plating Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Reliable Plating Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Reliable Plating Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Reliable Plating Works
What does Reliable Plating Works do?
Reliable Plating Works provides contract metal finishing and chrome plating services, including pre-plate preparation (polishing, buffing, deburring, vibratory finishing), multi-layer nickel/chrome electroplating (copper bright, satin, duplex, triplex, woods nickel, hexavalent chrome, electroless nickel), and post-plate services (baking, drop shipping, packaging, kitting). The company supports customers across appliances, automotive, furniture, medical, plumbing, tools, and hardware with in-house lab analysis (200+ daily tests) and PPAP documentation.
Is Reliable Plating Works a public or private company?
Reliable Plating Works is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Reliable Plating Works founded?
Reliable Plating Works was founded in 1929. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Reliable Plating Works based?
Reliable Plating Works is headquartered in Milwaukee, United States, in the North America region.
How does Reliable Plating Works make money?
One revenue line is on record: metal Finishing and Chrome Plating Services.
Who are Reliable Plating Works's main competitors?
Others on record are National Association of Surface Finishers (NASF) and Birchwood Technologies. Direct peers are Techmetals, B & B Plating Company, Arlington Plating Company, Klein Plating Works and Cadillac Plating Co.. Broad incumbents are Aalberts Surface Technologies and Pioneer Metal Finishing (Pioneer Clad and Surface Technology). Select-Tron Industries is listed as a regional player.
Does Reliable Plating Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Reliable Plating Works.
What industry is Reliable Plating Works in?
Reliable Plating Works's product category is Metal Finishing & Electroplating Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAKAE, Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation), with a secondary code of IMAEAKAK, Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives). Its NAICS code is 332813 and its SIC code is 3470.