About Us
The Chicago Midwest Chapter of the NASF is proud of our rich history and continued involvement in the metal finishing industry. Our chapter is an affiliate of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). Membership currently consists of surface finishing companies and Contributing Sponsors representing suppliers to the metal finishing industry.
Through our mailings and membership meetings, the Chicago Midwest Chapter keeps members abreast of the activities of the association, state and national legislative and regulatory developments, which affect business. This allows our members to anticipate trends and mitigate risks with access to forward-looking technology initiatives that advance the science and future of the surface finishing industry.
Our organization provides up-to-the-minute information to our members regarding a variety of topics. Over the past few years, our educational opportunities have provided details regarding hazardous waste and the environment, recycling, the economy, financial planning and accounting, computers in metal finishing, workers’ compensation, EPA/OSHA visits, EPA’s new Chromium Air Emissions Rule, and many other topics.
Several of our members also participate in NASF’s annual Washington Forum. This trip to Washington, DC, provides members with an update on current and proposed national legislation and the economy in general. Members also visit U.S. Senators and Representatives to discuss this legislation and the impact it has on the metal finishing industry.
To develop new business for members, the association acts as a clearinghouse for inquiries from prospective customers.
The greatest benefit of Chapter membership is the interaction among the members at meetings or through direct communications with each other. Members can find out how others are doing and how they are coping with the various developments in the metal finishing business.
Where We Come From
The surface finishing industry in Chicago got its start in the 1850's. Records show that less than ten companies were doing business in the city as of 1858. By the turn of the century, 1900, the industry had grown to more than ten companies and continued to grow through the following years. It was during this dawn of the 20th Century that groups of industry members began discussing the formation of formal organizations to represent their collective business needs and concerns.
The AESF Chicago Branch was formed by Percy S. Brown and others and held its first meeting in May of 1912. From the Inaugural Address of Colonel J.H. Jansjasten, first President of the Chicago Branch, the purpose of the Chicago Branch was:
• to spread among the (electro-platers) foreman platers knowledge of the art and science of electroplating;
• to help them solve the problems that arise to puzzle them;
• to help them overcome the difficulties they may encounter of their vocation; and
• Education and mutual assistance.
In 1935, another organization was born that would become known as the Chicago Metal Finishers Institute. CMFI membership was represented by management leadership in the field of job shop metal finishing. Their purpose was:
• foster such industry policies as will tend to maintain free, open and public competition between members of the industry, and to discourage unethical, unfair and unlawful methods of competition;
• serve as collector and disseminator of accurate information with respect to industry information;
• develop standards of quality; and
• promote the welfare of the industry.
Both groups continued to operate through the beginning of 2015. Due to the desire for a unified industry group for surface finishing in the Chicagoland area, in early 2015 the AESF Chicago Branch and CMFI merged and created a new entity, the Chicago Midwest Chapter of the NASF.
In concurrence with this merger, the Chicago AESF Foundation was created in 2014. Funded initially by the resources of the Chicago Branch of AESF, the Foundation will preserve the heritage and achievements and build upon the great history of an educational society which has been functioning for more than 100 years in the Greater Chicago area.