FEATURE INTERVIEW

This weeks interview is with Steve Whalen, President of AIH Chrome in Dubuque Iowa. AIH Chrome was started by Steve's father in 1974 as a paint and supply company. In the mid ninties Steve and his brother Russ bought the company from their dad and changed it to concentrate on the chrome plating side of the business. There are two sides to AIH Chrome, a production side and a restoration side. The production side employs around 50 people and is involved with the motorcycle,marine, recreational and aviation markets. The restoration side employs around 10 people and some of them have been with the company over thirty years.

I asked Steve about the process for restoring a bumper for a classic muscle car and he said the first thing he asks is what level of quality they are expecting. If the customer indicates they are just looking for parts to go on a daily driver type car then AIH Chrome will direct them to go some where else. AIH specializes in the best show quality plating and preparation and nothing less will leave the shop.