Business of the Year Award a fine birthday present

Burnside - When Leonard Hartlin, his sister Mildred Lyons and their nephew attended the 2008 Burnside Business of the Year Awards, they were convinced the competition would take home the trophy. So, when the winner of the industrial category was announced Zenith Electroplating and Coating they all stared at each other in shock.

It was a total surprise, says Lyons, who with her brother is a co-owner of the company. We just looked back and forth at each other and then my nephew said, Well, you better go up.

Lyons says winning the award was a proud moment for all of them and a nice 58th birthday present for her brother.

Len has worked at Zenith for almost 43 years, she says. He started here when he was 16 years old.

Zenith Electroplating and Coating is one of only a few companies of its kind east of Montreal. Its located at 20 Wright Avenue. The company, which was first established 45 years ago, has changed hands a few times, but one of the current owners has worked in the business for 43 years.

We felt we were just too small to win this kind of recognition, Lyons says. There are five employees including Len and myself. We do try to meet our customer expectations and theyre high in this kind of work. So we must be doing something right. Winning this award is a great little boost!

The company offers chrome, nickel, gold, copper and brass plating, as well as pacifying, chromating and high-speed polishing of brass, stainless steel and aluminum. The business staple has always been plating bumpers and other accessories for cars, but Lyons says the industrial market is growing rapidly.

Fabricating companies have learned that were here and that were providing services they were previously shipping outside the region for.

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