History

The Fountain Plating Company was founded in February 1944 when a service named Electro Analysis Laboratories was opened by Laurence R. Fountain in a garage at Courtland Street, Springfield, MA. Mr. Fountain, who up until that time, had been an electro chemist with the Westinghouse Corporation, realized there was a need within the metal finishing industry for qualified analysis and consultation services in regard to electroplating. It soon became apparent to Mr. Fountain that there was also a void in knowledge about electroplating techniques beyond that of the consultation level. As a result, Fountain Plating Company was established to accept electroplating assignments.

In July 1956, the Company, in desperate need of additional processing space, acquired the former Stevens-Duryea Paint facility on Western Avenue in Chicopee Falls, MA. This 12,000 square feet of extra floor space allowed Fountain Plating to accept the increased level of assignments manufacturers were requesting the company to handle.

In March of 1967 with an eye on future expansion, Fountain Plating Company purchased a 6-acre site in the West Springfield Industrial Park, and in April of 1968, ground was broken for a new 50,000 square foot facility. This site would house not only the corporate offices but also one of the most advanced facilities in the industry for metals testing, metal and organic finishing.

This expansive new facility was designed to include one of the finest metallurgical and chemical laboratories in the East. It allows Fountain Plating even greater latitude in its continuing program of Research and Development of new products in the electro chemical field. The West Springfield facility enables us to proudly boast of one of the largest custom and production plating sources in the Northeast, ideal for rendering an even greater range of service to our many customers in the electronic, aircraft and aerospace industries.

Environmental Commitment

Fountain Plating Company is proud of their commitment to environmental health and safety.  Long before government regulations mandated compliance, Fountain Plating Company installed a state of the art waste treatment facility.

We have a comprehensive environmental program in place and are compliant to Federal, State and local agencies. Our waste treatment facility is staffed and overseen by qualified, licensed operators, ensuring compliance.

Our Research and Development laboratory along with our Engineering Group has successfully replaced and/or reduced the use of traditional chemistries with “green” chemistries.  We have also invested significant capital in “Green Technologies” such as ion exchange, metal recovery systems, rinse metal recapture systems.

Committed to the future

Fountain Plating was acquired by Valence Surface Technologies in 2020, The World’s Leading Aerospace Product Finishing Company, providing Uncompromising QUALITY. Unmatched DELIVERY. Unparalleled PERFORMANCE. With eight centers of excellence strategically located across North America, Valence serves the global supply chain with the most comprehensive set of processing capabilities and approvals for high-value, mission-critical parts. From the smallest part to a large aerostructure assembly, Valence is your one-stop-shop in the supply chain for metal finishing.

Success is the only option

Every industry requires parts that deliver performance without compromise. Ensure success. Turn to Fountain Plating for the solutions that perform.