Aluminum Can Go With Wood
by Glenn E Garvett

SAF started anodizing aluminum in 1946. Since then we have added aluminum sheet distribution, extrusion distribution, and metal fabrication to our business. For over sixty-four years SAF's customer base has grown and diversified. SAF's database has thirty-nine different business categories. One of my favorites is Woodworking-Millwork-Cabinetry. These companies range from cabinet manufacturers to office furniture companies to display/exhibit manufacturers to wood floor manufacturers, and many other segments of a large industry. Three examples of SAF woodworking customers are described in this article.

Woodworking Specialties is a small custom wood shop in O'Fallon, Missouri. It is owned and operated by Mike FitzGerald. Mike caters to the discerning buyer of high-end custom executive office and residential furniture. On the web site <www.woodworkspec.com/> he says, "We use only the highest quality materials and fabrication practices." Woodworking Specialties orders extrusions from SAF in clear and black anodize, along with mill finish. They buy bar stock, z clips, channels, and angles. The extrusions are used for artistic detail designs or structural frame works. Above is a fine example of a small conference table with clear anodized aluminum accents on the legs.

Between Austin and San Antonio, Texas, off I-35 lies Buda, Texas. Going into the town, right after the old water tower, you will see the Buda Woodworks facility. Buda Woodworks was founded in 1993. Their employees are dedicated to producing and installing quality products on time. Their website is <www.budawoodworks.com/>. They work closely with architects and contractors to achieve the highest level of craftsmanship, while respecting the environmental desires of their customers. Buda Woodworks has been purchasing clear and painted aluminum extrusions from SAF for some time. They order channels, bar stock, rectangular tubes, tees, and angles.

Mark Newman, one of Buda's estimators, explained that the extrusions are used for many purposes. The angles are used to make reveals. The aluminum tees are used for returns in wood connecting to sheet rock. SAF channels are used for installing glass sections in some of the wood counters. To the right is an example of anodized aluminum tubes being used in the counters at the Williamson County Courts.

Mortensen Woodwork <www.mortensenwoodwork.com/> is located south of Atlanta. This company offers old-world craftsmanship with every project. A family-run business for two generations, Mortensen Woodwork combines today's most modern production technology with hand-crafting skills. They specialize in interior furniture, fixtures and perimeter woodwork with an artistic character.

SAF has provided Mortensen with stock extrusions and fabricated metals in aluminum and stainless steel. SAF's metals are used for architectural accent and structural support in some of Mortensen's creations. The Mortensen/SAF relationship has been important to both companies since 1994.

I hope this will give you a small picture of the use of aluminum in the woodworking industry and SAF's continuing role as a supplier. To the right is one last example of aluminum extrusions used in woodworking. A dark bronze anodized bar used as an accent piece on a table top gives the piece an added dimension of quality.

Custom Paint Service Added to 3-Day-Out Aluminum Extrusions & Sheet Program
by Josh Berris, SAF Paint Operations Manager

SAF has experienced great interest and strong demand since the introduction of our 3-Day-Out Paint Program in August, 2009. 3-Day-Out offers to ship custom painted extrusions and sheets within 3 days of order placement. With coordinated efforts throughout SAF, our Winston paint shop has demonstrated we can fill custom paint orders faster than anyone in the industry.

A reminder on the qualifiers of the program:

• SAF must have the catalog-listed aluminum sheet or extrusions in stock.
• Available paint codes are those stocked by SAF or available as SAF EZ mix colors*.
• Orders must be $5000.00 or less, but larger jobs may be accepted under these terms if requested.

To view and order from the SAF stock aluminum sheet and extrusion inventory on-line, visit and log into http://www.saf.com/quote_mgr.php.

Review our stock aluminum inventory on-line at http://www.saf.com/content.php?action=getCatIndex&cat_id=7 You will also be able to download a 2009 SAF Aluminum Extrusion & Sheet poster. Ask for a hardcopy by mail by calling 1-800-241-7429.

Please note: SAF has no minimum, although we do charge for freight on orders under 100 lbs. We will cut to length and ship ground on any size order.

* EZ mix colors refer to colors mixable by SAF, or matching paint panel samples submitted earlier. If your paint color is not on file, panels can be submitted for custom match. EZ mix colors are 2-coat Fluoropolymer AAMA 2605 compliant coating which is non-exotic, non XL, non-Metallic, non-mica, and non-barrier.

SAF Hosts Visitors from New Zealand

Earlier last quarter, SAF introduced its new acid etch process into our anodizing line. The acid etch process is a hot topic in the anodizing industry and has interest from anodizers around the world. In fact, the acid etch process was discussed in great detail at the 2009 International Aluminum Anodizing Conference in Ft. Worth in October.

On the heels of the AAC Conference SAF hosted a visit from Don and Karen Tanner who manage and operate Alert Anodising. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Alert Anodising is a job shop anodizer who does work for a variety of markets in New Zealand. They heard about our installation of the acid etch system and wanted to see it in production.

After a tour of SAF's line we had a chance to discuss the challenges of running an anodizing business with Don and Karen. It was refreshing to hear that we share a lot of the same challenges and concerns about operating an anodizing line. They experience many similar customer-related problems and production issues that SAF sees every day. While Alert Anodising's plant in New Zealand is over 8,000 miles from Atlanta, their business interests and daily challenges hit close to home.

For information on the new SAF Acid Etch Aluminum Anodizing or any other coating services contact SAF at 1-800-241-7429.

Wayne Sharp Promoted to Outside Sales

Earlier this Fall SAF promoted Wayne Sharp from Customer Service Manager to Outside Sales Representative. Wayne has worked for SAF since July of 2004 and has a wealth of knowledge about SAF's products. He has served many of SAF's key customers over the years. Wayne's territory will consist of the Midwestern US, western North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nevada and Utah. He will also serve a set of customers in Metro Atlanta. Reach out to Wayne about any of the SAF services for aluminum extrusions, sheet, panels, column covers, anodizing, coating services, and fabrication at 1-800-241-7429.

Prior to joining SAF, Wayne worked as a Territory Manager for Carpenter Technology, a Fortune 1000 specialty metals manufacturer, where he called on various manufacturing and distribution accounts in the Midwest. He also has a background in logistics management, and received a BS in Communications from the University of Georgia.

Wayne's strong communication skills, background in outside sales, experience solving customer problems, and his knowledge of SAF make him a natural fit for this position.

Visit SAF.com or contact us directly:
SAF ATLANTA: 800-241-7429 • Telephone 404-355-1560 • FAX 404-350-0581
SAF WEST: 866-660-6627 • Telephone 530-244-7518 • FAX 530-244-7830