Automation in the Paint Shop: Robots with a Human Touch

Derek DeGeest, President, DeGeest Steel Works, and Lesta USA, went on a search for ways to automate business processes, utilize software and technology, and help his employees accomplish more. What came next is an answer many general industry manufacturers are looking for too.

As DeGeest Steel Works’ automation processes grew, a bottleneck formed at the final stage of production: the paint shop.

“We were looking for ways to add automation to our paint process,” DeGeest said.

The variety and number of parts moving through the paint line proved a difficult challenge to automate.

How did DeGeest solve this problem? Enter Emanuele Mazza, Co-Founder, Lesta Srl, in Italy. Mazza’s company manufactures robots that learn from the actions of human painters and quickly and simply duplicate the process without the need for complicated programming.. DeGeest watched online videos of Lesta’s robots but could not believe what he saw. Before long, and after a phone call to Mazza, DeGeest was off to Italy to see these self-learning robots for himself.

It didn’t take long for DeGeest to realize Lesta had the solution he needed, and he purchased two robots on that trip. These robots enhance the skills of the trained painters, who now can do more, and add customization to their workflow.

DeGeest Steel Works began to design their paint systems around these new self-learning robots and came to the quick realization that a partnership with Lesta made perfect sense. Mazza agreed, and LestaUSA formed. The collaboration and robots made their North American debut at FABTECH in November 2019.

Mazza said the focus of the creation of these robots was to make life easier in the workplace and add flexibility for the people who work in the production areas.

“Together, working in partnership with DeGeest Steel Works, and now as LestaUSA, we are developing new products and solutions to solve many different problems manufacturers face with automation,” he said.

In an article appearing in International Paint & Coating Magazine, the benefits of the partnership and DeGeest Steel Works’ capabilities were explored even further.

The company recently opened a robotic liquid paint system in North America touted as one of the largest and most flexible in general industry.

DeGeest also took the opportunity to further highlight how Lesta’s solutions have eased the bottlenecks DeGeest Steel Works used to struggle with.

“The most interesting aspect of Lesta’s self-learning robots is their ease of programming,” he said. “DeGeest Steel Works coats complex steel weldments, (and) creating a painting program off-line means investing a lot of time and resources. However, the use of these robots does not require any advanced programming skills. Upon completion of the installation, a manufacturer of any size can literally be making their own programs and finishing robotically on day one.”

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Engineering & Construction Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

How Branded Moving Trucks Help Storage Facilities Attract More Customers
August 1, 2025

You know that feeling when you see the same truck three times in a week? First at the grocery store, then outside your friend’s place, then stuck in traffic next to you. By the third sighting, that company name is burned into your brain. Smart storage facility owners figured this out years ago. They’re…

Read More
Winter is Coming: 9 Battle-Tested Strategies to Shield Your Commercial Property from Skyrocketing Insurance Costs
August 1, 2025

The numbers are brutal. Insurance deductibles that used to be a manageable $2,000 flat fee have morphed into percentage-based nightmares tied to property values. What was once a minor business expense can now hit six figures with a single burst pipe or ice dam incident. Meanwhile, insurance premiums have surged 20.4% on average, leaving property…

Read More
From Zero to 460% Engagement: 6 UGC Campaigns That Broke All the Rules
August 1, 2025

Picture this: You spend months crafting the perfect marketing campaign. Professional photographers, expensive equipment, polished copy. You launch it and… crickets. Meanwhile, your competitor posts a simple challenge asking customers to share their stories, and suddenly they’re swimming in engagement, leads, and brand loyalty. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The biggest mistake brands make with…

Read More
Purpose Factory Event 2025
Lights, Camera, Action
August 1, 2025

The Purpose Factory Event 2025 emerges at a moment when organizations are being challenged to redefine what success really means. Beyond profits and projections, the gathering champions a model of growth that intertwines cultural impact with strategic vision. It’s a forum where companies explore how values can be engineered into operations, not just marketed in…

Read More