In 1953, Willard Anthony Emery founded Southwest Metal Finishing Company. Later changed to Southwest United Industries, the company began operations as a metal processor, offering non-destructive testing, anodizing, cadmium plating and painting. Initially, Southwest served the energy and geophysical industry. In 1958 the company began providing its services for the aerospace industry. During that same year, the company became one of the first processors in the Midwest to apply hard chrome plating on aluminum. Southwest s capabilities lead to the development of new customers in the energy, medical and transportation industries. In 1999, the company purchased Plasma Coating Corporation in Gardena, Calif., to provide thermal spray services to customers on the west coast. Southwest continues to be an industry leader, providing innovative ideas and solutions for the McDonnell Douglas C-17, Lockheed Martin F/A 22 and the Lockheed Martin J35 Joint Strike Fighter programs. The company continues to be family-owned and operated.