There have been many changes since Southern Aluminum Finishing broke ground on our first anodizing line in 1946.

In 1946 most of our competitors had not even begun operation. There are only four employees still working at SAF who worked for us in the 1960's. The last man from the 1950's retired July 11, 1997. In those senses we are a completely different company. However, we are still owned and operated by the same family. We serve many of the same customers. And our mission remains to provide a quality product and a good job. In many ways we are the same company.

In 1950's we began to sell architectural aluminum sheet and extrusions with or without anodized finishes. That is still a significant part of our business. We have continued to stay abreast of all new developments in anodizing technology. We pioneered the use of computerized color measuring technology to match color on anodized finishes. Our color match tolerances are tighter than we would have ever thought possible 50 years ago. We are proud that we have played a part in the resurgence of the popularity of anodized finishes.

In the 1960's paint finishes progressed to the point where we thought they could be used on aluminum in commercial building applications. We began painting baked enamel on a small scale. When fluoropolymer paints were developed, we invested in a complete paint line which was used for all our painting of customer's goods, as well as our own metal, for almost 40 years.  It was replaced in 2006.

Also, in the 1960's we purchased an awning company and its fabrication equipment. Initially, this equipment was used exclusively to make aluminum awnings. But as the awning business faded away because of air conditioning, we began to make custom aluminum fabrications for our construction customers. Because we are able to provide metal, fabricate it and finish it, many customers prefer to come to us for their fabrication needs. We provide one stop accountability.

In the 1970?s we purchased an anodizing line in Charlotte, North Carolina, forming the first of our locations outside the state of Georgia.  This plant continues to produce quality anodized finishes and maintain an outstanding reputation for service.  The Charlotte plant has received numerous awards for the treatment of its waste in an environmentally sensitive manner.   As our awareness of environmental issues grew, we worked very hard to be a good steward of the environment and we have received many awards for this work in all our facilities.

In 1990, we bought a product line of commercial metal roof edge products. We began manufacturing these products and called the product line our Perimeter Systems Division. Since 1990, Perimeter Systems has pioneered new products in the roofing field, including Designer Series Gutters and the first truly adjustable plastic coping, EP Coping.

In early 1994, we began coil anodizing in our new Nashville plant. This new plant produces both toll coated and anodized aluminum coil products. The new plant is producing close to current capacity, and it has brought Southern Aluminum Finishing's name to many firms outside the commercial building market. We are very optimistic about its future.

In 2003 we moved our custom fabricating and Perimeter Systems manufacturing to a marvelous 78,000 square foot facility in Winston, GA, 30 miles from our downtown Atlanta headquarters.  There we have increased our fabrication capabilities to become a state of the art facility using the latest computerized CNC fabricating equipment.

In 2006 we added a conveyor run paint line to the fabricating building and closed our old paint plant in Atlanta.  The addition of almost 20,000 square feet of painting facility has made us the only architectural fabricator that we know with its own in-house paint line.  We are able to roll newly made parts directly to the paint line without the problems of packing cost and freight damage.

In 2006 SAF celebrated its 60th anniversary. We continue to remain true to our motto of a quality product and a good job. Our friendly, expert customer service people will help with any project to be sure that our customers are proud of their aluminum fabrications and finishes. SAF will survive and prosper in good times and bad as we have for over a 60 years.

In March, 2007 we opened our newest branch in Redding, California to distribute aluminum sheet and extrusions and to fabricate architectural metals for the western region.  SAF is commited to being the quickest architectural metals distributor and fabricator in the United States.