PCS Case Study

Stecker Machine Co., Manitowoc – 25 Years of Manufacturing Excellence

When Stecker Machine Co., a leading OEM parts manufacturer for industry giants like John Deere and General Motors, needed to protect their manufacturing floors from oil seepage and eliminate safety hazards, they turned to Protective Coating Specialists for a solution that would transform their facility operations. What began as a single 26,000 square foot installation in 2001 has evolved into a 25-year partnership spanning over 200,000 square feet of specialized manufacturing flooring.

Located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Stecker Machine Co. operates sophisticated oil-lubricated machinery that creates constant challenges for floor maintenance and worker safety. Oil seepage into concrete floors was creating slip hazards and ongoing maintenance headaches that directly impacted both safety and profitability.

“The floors we installed in 2001 are still performing exceptionally well after more than two decades,” said Peter Valitchka, PCS Vice President of Sales. “That kind of longevity in a heavy manufacturing environment demonstrates the value of engineering the right solution from the start.”

Phased Growth Through Proven Performance

The initial 26,000 square foot epoxy floor system installation in early 2001 proved so successful that Stecker expanded the scope significantly. Five years later, impressed by the durability and performance of the original installation, they contracted PCS to coat the remainder of their facility—bays 2-4, each roughly 25,000 square feet.

Prior to 2010, PCS completed bay 5, a storage area, utilizing a specialized thinner system with Sherwin Williams products tailored to the specific demands of that space. The success of these installations led to the ultimate vote of confidence: when Stecker built a new 80,000 square foot structure in 2012, PCS was selected to coat the entire facility.

“We really embrace those challenges,” said Valitchka. “Each manufacturing environment is different, and Stecker’s success has allowed them to expand significantly. Being their trusted flooring partner through that growth has been incredibly rewarding.”

Engineering Solutions for Active Manufacturing

One of the most challenging aspects of the Stecker projects has been maintaining continuous production during installations. PCS developed a sophisticated phasing approach that allows manufacturing operations to continue uninterrupted while new flooring systems are installed.

“We work around their equipment and production schedules, completing each bay in two phases so traffic flow and production can continue in one half while we install flooring in the other,” explained Valitchka. “This approach minimizes downtime and impact to profitability—critical factors in competitive manufacturing environments.”

Each bay installation is completed in approximately one week, demonstrating PCS’s ability to work efficiently within tight manufacturing schedules. The company’s 60-mil slurry system creates a long-lasting coating that prevents oil seepage into concrete while providing the slip-resistant surface essential for worker safety.

Transforming Aesthetics and Safety

In 2025, with all floors still in excellent condition after decades of service, Stecker Machine Co. approached PCS for an aesthetic upgrade that would reflect their commitment to quality and create a safer work environment. The project involved adding rich green company colors to all walkways and tow motor traffic aisles, while transforming work areas to medium-tone colors for safety differentiation.

“The bright green color amazingly ‘pops,’ providing an aesthetically pleasing workplace that showcases quality and cleanliness to customers,” noted Valitchka. “When you’re a producer of high-quality parts for companies like John Deere and GM, your facility needs to reflect that same commitment to excellence.”

The enhanced color scheme serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, clearly delineating traffic patterns and work zones for improved safety while creating a professional appearance that reinforces Stecker’s reputation for quality manufacturing.

Measurable Return on Investment

The financial impact of PCS’s flooring solutions extends far beyond the initial installation costs. By preventing oil seepage and providing slip-resistant surfaces, the specialized coatings have significantly reduced maintenance costs and improved employee safety over 25 years of operation.

“The dollars spent on floors have saved substantial maintenance costs and improved employee safety,” said Valitchka. “When you prevent oil from seeping into concrete, you eliminate ongoing cleaning challenges and create a much safer work environment. That’s the kind of return on investment that builds long-term partnerships.”

Quarter-Century Partnership

The Stecker Machine Co. relationship exemplifies PCS’s commitment to long-term client success. From the original 26,000 square foot installation to today’s 200,000+ square foot facility, PCS has provided consistent technical expertise, flexible scheduling, and reliable performance that allows manufacturers to focus on their core business.

“We appreciate our relationship with Stecker, providing high-quality resinous floors over a 25-year period,” said Valitchka. “That kind of longevity only happens when you consistently deliver solutions that perform as promised, year after year. It’s a testament to both the quality of our installations and our commitment to standing behind our work.”

The Stecker partnership demonstrates how the right flooring solution, properly engineered and professionally installed, becomes a strategic asset that supports business growth, enhances safety, and projects the quality image that manufacturers need to compete in demanding markets.

 

 

In Early 2000 Stecker Machine Co. (Manitowoc, WI) https://www.steckermachine.com/ reached out to protect their manufacturing floor from slips, falls and eliminate oil seeping into concrete. Machines were oil lubricated. They make OEM parts for Deer, GM, etc.

Early 2001 installed 26,000 square foot epoxy floor system. Held up extremely well, customer asked 5 yrs later to coat rest of floor, so did bays 2-4, each bay roughly 25k sf. prior to 2010, did bay 5, storage bay, did a thinner system w/sherwin Williams.

Recently in 2025, all floors still in good shape, but wanted to improve look adding rich green company logo color to all walkways and tow motor traffic aisles. work areas transformed to medium color to differentiate for safety and stand out. due to company’s success, 2012, they built a new structure — PCS coated 80k sf. because of ongoing success of coatings not allowing oil seepage and providing non slip protection, dollars spent on floors have saved maintenance costs and improved employee safety.

had to work around other equipment. work in phases to keep their machines running. each bay 2 phases flow of traffic production continued to run while we installed other half of bay, minimizing downtime and impact to profitability. Stecker long term customer over 25 years.

Improved floors and color improved aesthetics, the bright green amazingly “pops” — providing an aesthetically pleasing workplace improving, showcases to customers to show quality, clean, brilliant. takes to right frame of mind. . . producer of high-quality parts, reflects company’s mission of high quality. Due to 60 ml slurry system installed produced a long lasting coating that didn’t allow oil seepage into concrete. installations were quick, efficient, and took about 1 week per bay. We appreciate our relationship with Stecker providing high quality resinous floors over 25-year period