Global Finishing Solutions® (GFS) is a vertical manufacturer, dedicated to developing high-quality paint booths and finishing environments for a wide variety of industries — including aerospace, automotive refinish and industrial businesses. GFS strives to meet the unique needs of every customer across the globe with pre-engineered and custom solutions for paint prep, application, curing and storage.
GFS’ Quality Management System is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by Smithers Quality Assessments, demonstrating GFS’ unwavering commitment to quality and dedication to delivering best-in-class products that are trusted by our customers.
Headquartered in Osseo, Wisconsin, GFS has an extensive history of providing the aerospace, automotive refinish and industrial finishing industries with exceptional equipment and services, helping businesses maximize productivity and achieve flawless finishes.
At GFS, we pride ourselves on being the leader in the finishing industry. Our continued success is made possible by our talented, hardworking employees. We aim to provide our employees with every opportunity to make an impact on the company. This is especially true for a company of our size and culture. Although a large, growing business — with more than 300 employees — our heart is rooted in small-town, homegrown values. To continue growing our business, we welcome you to join the GFS family.
We are focused on our family of exceptional employees. With a people-first approach and limitless opportunities, our people have every chance to flourish.
Never forgetting that business decisions impact people's lives, we infuse fairness and professionalism into all that we do.
Side by side, striving for shared goals, we align with people who share our core values and exceed our expertise.
With keen eyes and vast resources, we constantly think ahead to be better and go farther for long-term success.
We abide by unwavering standards of ethics and walk-the-talk principals. Our corporate culture is so steeped in character, it holds up even when the lights are off.
Global Finishing Solutions® (GFS) is proud to be represented by the finest distribution network in the paint booth and finishing equipment industry. Our experienced, dedicated distributors span throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and around the world. This expansive distribution network allows us the ability to provide consulting, training, installation, service, maintenance and parts and filters support on a local level to all of our customers.
I started at Global Finishing Solutions in 2011. I was 15 years old and needed a summer job. My uncle worked in the design department at the time, and he told me they needed help in the IT department, working with computers and printers. My grandma worked in IT at United Bank in Osseo, and that’s where I originally got a passion for computers. I continued to work at GFS a couple days per week during the school year, gaining more and more experience. After graduation, I attended CVTC, and GFS helped me with my tuition. Once I received my generals, I transferred to UW-Eau Claire where I graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems.
GFS not only continued to help me with tuition reimbursement, but they offered me the flexibility to work part time around my school schedule and full time throughout the summer. At GFS, I have worked with a wide variety of technology. We’re definitely above the threshold in the area. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the flexibility, work experience and financial assistance from GFS to get my degree.
Our commitment to “people first” works from the inside out. The dignity and courtesy we extend to our family of employees carries on to our customers, business associates and vendors. This is especially true for Mike Ausen, GFS’ Production Planning Supervisor.
Mike works with nearly every department of the company — through sales, design, engineering, purchasing, programming, manufacturing and shipping — to coordinate jobs and meet our customers’ expectations.
“Through all phone calls, meetings, spreadsheet updates, project scheduling and sometimes rescheduling, Mike maintains a positive, cheerful attitude. I appreciate his hard work!”
— Pam Graham, Sales Support Supervisor
“Mike always puts the GFS team first. He is a great leader who is very open and listens to everyone to make the best decision for the customer.”
— Jim Faragher, President
“Global Finishing Solutions has a small-town feel. Our core values are really important to us, and it’s a company that sits behind them – the flexibility in your schedule, the understanding that family and personal things in your life are very important.”
To me, integrity is making decisions for the right reasons, and not constantly changing your decision based on your workload or when no one is looking.
Our team shows integrity in the biggest way by maintaining quality. Often, we don’t have a lot of turnaround time to get things ready to go out the door, and it’s up to us to stop it if there’s an issue. I always try to put myself in a customer’s shoes — would I pay for this? Would I want it to show up like this? It’s important to make sure everything is right and looks nice for the customer before it leaves our facility.
My husband, Brent, and I work for Global Finishing Solutions, and being active in our community is extremely important to both us. We work here, go to church here and raise our child here. The great thing about GFS is that they truly abide by the company core value of partnership. Not only do they encourage us to get involved in the community, they allow us the support and flexibility necessary to make it happen.
Through GFS’ employee-run committees, I am involved in many activities and fundraisers throughout the community. I serve on the We Care Committee — which raises funds for employees in times of need due to prolonged illness or natural disasters. I also serve on the Charitable Donations Committee — which provides monetary donations, scholarships and custom-made fire rings for community events, fundraisers, silent auctions and more.
GFS has supported me personally as well, allowing me the time and flexibility to participate in many community outreach initiatives, such as mentoring a local child with special needs. Brent also benefits from the flexibility, and is able to coach baseball in the summers.
GFS is the largest employer in the community, and they have done a great job of building and maintaining the bridge connecting us. For instance, GFS provided a $500 donation to purchase coats, snow pants and boots for local children in need of warm winter clothing. The donation was able to clothe all 47 children in need.
I love what I do internally at GFS, and I love what I get to do externally on behalf of GFS. If you can combine those two things, that’s partnership.
When I started at GFS more than 10 years ago, I worked with my boss at the time to kick off a lead management program. He not only encouraged the growth of the company and our department, but also encouraged my own growth and success. I really enjoyed the marketing aspect of my job, and GFS recognized that, so they sent me back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in marketing. Along with my background in sales, it gave me an opportunity to move into the marketing department as the marketing sales coordinator.
GFS was flexible with my schedule when I went back to school, and they also helped pay for my education. They truly value growth and continuous improvement. Outside of schooling, GFS has encouraged me to participate in industry network events, such as the Manufacturers Alliance, to learn how others in the industry grow and improve. Currently, as the marketing manager, I continue to embrace the value of improvement and encourage my team the same way. Whether that’s self-education, conferences, industry trade shows, or going back to school.
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