Stacey Bales and Sara Mortensen began working at Bales as young children. Explore the challenges and rewards of their path to leadership.
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EVENTS - May 09, 2024
Finishing & Coating Features Bales’ New Nickel Lines, Plans for Growth
Explore how our new nickel lines will help Bales better serve customers through added services and workforce expansion.
NEWS - April 01, 2024
Bales Installs New Nickel Plating Lines, Improves Capacity by 100%
The new nickel lines expand our nickel plating capacity from 5 to 10 tanks, which we estimate will reduce customer lead time by half.
NEWS - March 12, 2024
Bales Wins 2024 Spark Award for Culture
The Valley Industrial Association (VIA) recognized Bales with a 2024 Spark Award in the Culture, Small Division category.
NEWS - February 14, 2024
STACEY BALES AWARDED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN FINISHING
Bales President Stacey Bales is the recipient of the 2024 Bertram A. Stone Award from the Chicago Midwest Chapter of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding service to the finishing industry. Stacey’s strategic brilliance and passion for finishing have helped Bales and the Chicago Midwest Chapter of NASF become the thriving organizations they are today.
NEWS - February 07, 2023
Meet Michael Hill, Operations Manager
Exceeding customers’ expectations has been Bales’ goal for 45 years. Our new operations manager, Michael Hill, has joined the team to ensure we continue delivering.
NEWS - October 05, 2022
Bales’ Leaders Profiled in Finishing and Coating
Finishing and Coating profiled our second-generation family leaders, Stacey and Sara, in an article on small biz succession planning.
NEWS - October 05, 2022
Surface Treatments Featured in Fastener Technology International
Surface treatments for curbing corrosion? We’ve got winners! Read about them in the latest issue of Fastener Technology International.
NEWS - July 01, 2022
Bales Recognized Among Best and Brightest®
Bales is a 2022 Winner for Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, which honors workplaces with an exceptional employee experience.
EVENTS - June 09, 2022
Live Webinar: “Differentiate Your Parts with Laser Texturing and How Plating Can Protect It”
Join Bales and Wisconsin Engraving to explore the metal laser texturing process, see trending applications, and discover the various benefits for your metal parts.
NEWS - May 18, 2022
How to Protect Soft Base Materials
Read Rich Wozniak’s MoldMaking Technology article about choosing the right coating for molds and components with soft base materials.
EVENTS - March 31, 2022
Attend Bales’ Tech Talk at PTXPO 2022
Learn how engineered coatings will protect your mold life and investment during a Tech Talk with our very own application expert, Rich Wozniak.
EVENTS - March 29, 2022
Visit Bales at PTXPO 2022
Bales is exhibiting at the inaugural Plastics Technology Expo, March 29-31, 2022! Register now with our special promo code to get a complimentary 3-day exhibit hall pass.
EVENTS - March 01, 2022
It’s Employee Appreciation Month at Bales
Happy Employee Appreciation Month to the Bales team—the backbone of our business! Meet the hard-working people who make Bales such an enjoyable place to work.
NEWS - January 13, 2022
“Products Finishing” Features Bales’ Digital Finishing Solutions
Find your finishing solution any time, anywhere using Bales’ online resources! Explore our newest additions in the January 2022 issue of “Products Finishing.”
EVENTS - November 03, 2021
“Polish Up on Preventative Maintenance” Webinar
Your tooling is a major investment. Are you sure your preventative maintenance program is providing the right protection?
EVENTS - October 11, 2021
Increased Productivity with Surface Finishing
This presentation will provide an overview of plating, including different types of coating, and polishing, including SPI surface finishes.
EVENTS - September 23, 2021
Increasing Productivity with Mold Surface Finishing
Discussion on how your mold surface finishing can increase productivity.
EVENTS - September 22, 2021
Protecting Your Soft Base Material
Learn more about what coatings can increase the hardness of your molds, how to protect against dimensional changes from wear, as well as some preventative maintenance tips and tricks.
COMPANY UPDATES - May 31, 2021
Bales Launches New Digital Tools
It’s a big month for Bales! We’ve reimagined the Bales website with new, interactive features.
COMPANY UPDATES - March 25, 2021
New Service! Free Pick-Up & Delivery
We have big news to share! Bales has launched a free pick-up and delivery service within 50 miles of our location in Downers Grove, Ill.
EVENTS - March 23, 2021
Bales to Hold NSFD Educational Event
As part of National Surface Finishing Day (NSFD) celebrations on March 3, Bales Metal Surface Solutions has announced a webinar on the basics of coating, finishing and polishing, as well as a virtual shop tour.
EVENTS - March 18, 2021
Longer, Cleaner Plating Bath Life
Angelo Magrone of Bales Metal Surface Solutions suggests adding an agitation and filtration system to keep plating pretreatment tanks cleaner, longer.
EVENTS - March 03, 2021
Happy National Surface Finishing Day 2021
National Surface Finishing Day celebrates the contributions of the finishing industry to manufacturing and celebrates surface finishing professionals.
EVENTS - February 18, 2021
Diversity in the Finishing Industry
Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast for coaters and finishers discusses the topic of diversity in the finishing industry with interviews with Lab Midwest president and PF columnist Matthew Kirchner and Bales Metal Surface Solutions president Stacey Bales.
COMPANY UPDATES - December 23, 2020
Forbes: Steve Bales Would Like What His Daughters Have Done With The Place
What were you doing in your mid- to late twenties? It may have been challenging, whatever it was–but it probably wasn’t as challenging as mourning an unexpected and devastating personal loss while simultaneously trying to keep a family business alive, like the Bales sisters did.
EVENTS - April 06, 2020
Plastics News: Bales Named a 2020 Best Place to Work
Bales is proud to rank 13th in the Plastics News Best Places to Work 2020 ranking. Our employees are the best. Learn more about Careers at Bales.
COMPANY UPDATES - September 18, 2019
Thank You to All Who Attended Our Educational Session at the 2019 Blow Molding Conference
We enjoyed every minute of our time at 2019 Blow Molding Conference. One of our favorite parts was sharing insights about the importance of surface finishing for blow molders. Thanks to all who met with us!
EVENTS - January 01, 2019
Amerimold 2018
Come meet the Bales team in person at Amerimold 2018! The annual tradeshow will be held from June 13-14 in Novi, Michigan and addresses the business development, best practices and networking interests of the plastic injection mold manufacturing industry. We look forward to meeting you and discussing your biggest challenges, questions and requirements around moldmaking. When registering for the show, Bales customers can use promo code EXHMT38 for a free Expo pass.
EVENTS - January 01, 2019
Plastic Caps & Closures 2018
The annual conference hosted by Plastic News features forward-thinking developments and critical discussions on issues of importance to the packaging industry. If you're planning to attend this year's event, we invite you to join our very own Sara Mortensen as she leads a session on choosing the best mold coatings and how this decision can impact your production ROI.
EVENTS - January 01, 2019
Amerimold 2019
Come meet the Bales team in person at Amerimold 2019! The annual tradeshow will be held from June 12-13 in Rosemont, Illinois – not far from the Bales headquarters! We look forward to meeting you and discussing your biggest challenges, questions and requirements around moldmaking.
COMPANY UPDATES - January 01, 2019
Thank You for Visiting us at Amerimold 2019!
We enjoyed every minute of our time at Amerimold 2019. One of our favorite parts was meeting with other industry experts to learn how we can provide the best solutions for common moldmaking challenges.
EVENTS - January 01, 2019
Attend Our Educational Session at the 2019 Blow Molding Conference
Are you a leader in the blow molding industry? This September is the 35th Annual Blow Molding Conference in Atlanta, and our Technical Services Manager, Rich Wozniak, is hosting a special session about the importance of surface finishing for blow molders. Mark your calendars today and check out the event agenda for more details. We'd love to see you there!
EVENTS - May 07, 2018
NPE 2018
Come meet the Bales team in person at NPE2018. Hosted by Plastics Industry Association, NPE is one of the leading plastics trade shows and will be held from May 7-11 in Orlando, Florida. We look forward to meeting you and discussing your biggest challenges, questions and requirements around plastics. When registering for the show, Bales customers can use promo code 47826 for a free Expo pass.
NEWS - November 09, 2017
PLASTEC Minneapolis
Come visit Bales at Booth #1042 at PLASTEC Minneapolis, Nov. 8-9 — part of the Midwest's largest advanced design and manufacturing event. Register for your free Expo badge using promo code INVITE, or get 20% off your conference pass.
NEWS - June 14, 2017
Amerimold 2017
Bales will be at Amerimold this year in Rosemont, Ill. Be sure to stop by to see them at booth #916.
EVENTS - May 01, 2017
Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
Plastics News will host this inaugural professional development event for female executives in the plastics industry, featuring Stacey Bales as an expert panelist. This half-day conference will be held at the Westin Chicago Northwest hotel in Itasca, Ill., the day before the Plastics News Marketing Summit.
EVENTS - March 17, 2017
Connect with Bales at Molding 2020.
Rich Wozniak, Technical Services Manager, will be presenting on coating and polishing solutions that improve your mold performance and extend the life of your tool. March 17-19, 2020
NEWS - March 22, 2016
Plastics News Best Places to Work 2016
Stacey Bales and her sister, Sara Mortensen, have a unique relationship with their employees. “A lot of them have seen us in diapers,” Stacey Bales said in a recent phone interview. “The majority of them have worked here 15 years or longer. Some of them grew up with us.”
EVENTS - March 05, 2016
TMA Young Leaders Award
Stacey Bales was selected to receive the first-ever Technology & Manufacturing Association's Young Leaders Award. Jim Carr, TMA's Chairman of the Board, said that Stacey was selected in recognition of her resilience, hard work and leadership at Bales Metal Surface Solutions and within the TMA.
NEWS - October 13, 2015
The Distance by Basecamp Podcast
Stacey and Sara talk about being next generation manufacturing leaders.
EVENTS - September 23, 2015
Stacey Bales NBC/BizCast Interview
Stacey talks Bales doubling sales in five years
VIDEOS - July 20, 2015
WEBINAR: MOLD MAINTENANCE 101
Check out our latest webinar! Dean Tufano, Technical Services Manager at Bales Metal Surface Solutions, gives a useful breakdown in mold maintenance.
COMPANY UPDATES - June 30, 2015
HOORAY FOR HARRY
We're so proud! Bales' own Harry Raimondi, Technical Services Manager, has been named Moldmaker of the Year by the SPE / Mold Making and Mold Design Division. We got him to talk about his 50-plus years in the business, starting as a moldmaker.
NEWS - June 15, 2015
Amerimold 2016
The show started off with a little glitch: the power went out due to a transformer issue, delaying the start for about 15 minutes. Dean teased Rich that it was his fault, since it was his first Amerimold show. Yes, we were full of fun and games at our booth — including raffling off an Xbox. And, we have a winner ... congratulations to Ryan Stuck from CK Technologies in Ohio! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Bales booth at Amerimold. We enjoyed seeing longtime industry friends … and meeting new ones!
VIDEOS - May 06, 2015
FREE WEBINAR DOWNLOAD
Check out our latest webinar! Harry Raimondi, the Technical Service Manager at Bales Metal Surface Solutions, explains the importance of coating aluminum for protection.
EVENTS - May 01, 2015
An Award Winning Brand
Bales Receives Award of Distinction for Corporate Identity at the 2015 Communicator Awards! We're very proud of our new logo and brand. This award is a testament to the theme of our rebranding: the constant progression of our company.
EVENTS - March 11, 2015
Bales is Honored at the Daily Herald Business Ledger's 25th Annual Awards for Business Excellence
Bales Metal Surface Solutions proudly accepted an Annual Award for Business Excellence in the family business category by The Daily Herald Business Ledger. Stacey Bales and Sara (Bales) Mortensen accepted the award on behalf of Bales.
VIDEOS - January 01, 2015
Our President Featured on Making Chips Podcast
Making Chips is a podcast that explores key topics in metalworking and manufacturing. The hosts Jim Carr & Jason Zenger recently featured an interview with Bales President, Stacey Bales.
VIDEOS - January 01, 2015
Bales President, Stacey Bales Added to Women In Technology & Manufacturing Association Committee
The Women In Technology & Manufacturing Association Committee plans and implements programs for women Technology & Manufacturing Association members; promotes the interest of women in member companies and in the industry as a whole. Stacey Bales, President of Bales Metal Surface Solutions, has recently been admitted into the Women In Technology & Manufacturing Association Committee.
