Advanced Metal Plating & Finishing Capabilities with New Automated Line in Santa Catarina, Monterrey

Prince Manufacturing is proud to announce that the fully automated metal plating line at our Santa Catarina, Monterrey, Mexico facility is officially online and running at production capacity. This expansion reinforces our commitment to supporting automotive, EV, industrial, and power-distribution customers with scalable, high-precision metal finishing solutions that meet the most demanding performance requirements.

A Next-Generation Automated Plating Line Built for Precision

The new Santa Catarina line is designed as a fully automatic electroplating system for Nickel and Tin, supported by automated temperature control, integrated monitoring, and a large-format bath system engineered for oversized or heavy components up to 2 meters long × 600 mm wide × 1.5 meters deep.

The line is optimized for:

  • High-volume racking to prevent scratching and handling damage
  • Loading capacity up to 100 kg per cycle
  • Selective plating, masking, and coating combinations
  • In-house X-Ray inspection for thickness validation and process control

This level of automation and inspection ensures consistent plating thickness, traceability, and repeatability for high-reliability components, including EV busbars, high-current connectors, industrial hardware, and machined assemblies.

Expanded Plating Portfolio — Nickel, Tin, Zinc & Silver

The Santa Catarina facility now offers the following processes:

  • Nickel Plating – durability, corrosion protection, wear resistance
  • Tin Plating – solderability and strong electrical conductivity
  • Clear Zinc Plating – economical corrosion protection
  • Silver Plating  – maximum conductivity for high-load applications

We also support special alloy plating, de-hydrogenizing bake operations, and combinations with epoxy or E-coat, enabling customers to source multi-step finishing from one location.

Full Finishing Services Beyond Plating

In addition to the new line, Prince provides one of the most complete finishing portfolios in northern Mexico, including:

This breadth of finishing enables Prince to support complex, multi-step programs without outsourcing, reducing customer lead times and cost while improving overall process control.

Purpose-Built for the EV and Power Distribution Markets

The Santa Catarina line was developed with a clear focus on the rapidly growing electrification market. EV battery busbars and high-current power distribution components require:

  • Tight plating tolerances
  • Stable conductivity
  • Controlled thermal characteristics
  • Corrosion resistance across fluctuating environmental conditions

The automated line’s large-format bath design, selective plating capability, and X-ray validation make it ideal for these requirements.

Ready for Major Program Launches Ahead

The new line increases our readiness for high-volume commitments, including automotive programs already scheduled to launch in 2026. With automated control, faster cycle times, and greater process reliability, the facility is positioned to support customers requiring rigorous quality, continuous throughput, and a stable cross-border supply chain.

Message from Our General Manager

“We’re excited to see the Santa Catarina plating line fully operational,” said Francisco Correon, General Manager at Prince Manufacturing. “The capability we have now — from automated nickel and tin plating to upcoming zinc and silver — gives our customers a level of flexibility and precision that’s hard to find in this region. We built this line to support EV, automotive, and high-demand industrial customers, and we’re proud of what our team has accomplished.”

Part of a Larger, Regionwide Capability Expansion

Santa Catarina metal plating is just one piece of Prince Manufacturing’s broader finishing and fabrication network, which includes:

  • High-volume powder coating lines
  • E-coat systems
  • Liquid paint and CARC paint capabilities
  • Full metal fabrication (turrets, lasers, press brakes, stamping)
  • Assembly, kitting, and sequencing services

Across all locations, Prince is committed to expanding capacity, increasing automation, and offering vertically integrated manufacturing for OEMs in the U.S. and Mexico.

Contact Us

If you’d like to review plating specs, run a sample, or discuss an upcoming program, our engineering and finishing teams are ready to assist. Contact us.