Veteran-Owned Metal Finishing Company Recognized

Andrew Kossowski, owner of Veterans Metal (Largo, Fla.) has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 State of Florida Veteran Business Owner of the Year.

Veterans Metal, previously known as DHS Enterprises, is a metal finishing business based in Clearwater, Florida, proudly owned entirely by veterans and minorities. Seeking a career change after working as a telecommunications executive, Kossowski purchased DHS, a traditional metal finishing shop in 2020. Drawing on his experience of a 12 years of military service in the U.S. Air Force, specializing in testing and quality assurance for aircraft manufacturing and refurbishment, Kossowski sought to update the business with a focus on automated processes, efficiency, traceability and quality control. The company had a three-decade history of providing diverse finishing services like anodizing, chem film, and passivation. Kossowski has built upon the company's strong foundation and untapped potential and has grown Veterans Metal through strategic technological investments.

Kossowski was recognized at a ceremony May 15, sponsored by Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida.