Abrasives Inc. Works to Stay Ahead of Surface Prep Trends

Russell Raad, president of “one-stop shop” Abrasives Inc., joins a sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insight on his company’s unique specialties and market position.

Discussion topics include marketplace trends, changes, and regulatory impacts; unique challenges to the surface preparation of industrial coatings jobs; strategies to incorporate feedback from contractors and end users; an outlook for the future; and available resources from Abrasives Inc. to assist in these processes.

How Crown Polymers Is Lifting the Floor Coatings Market

Kaveh Meghdadpour, Director of National Accounts and Business Development and the East Region Manager at Crown Polymers, joins this sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series. 

Discussion topics include industry trends and pain points within floor coatings; successful case studies using Crown solutions; the importance of manufacturers and contractors working together; and strategies to address potential industry concerns in the years ahead, such as workforce development.

For more information, contact: Crown Polymers, (847) 659-0300, www.crownpolymers.com

How the Specialty Contractor Market Is Evolving

Kyle McDonald, Project Manager at Western Specialty Contractors in Delray Beach, Florida, joins the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insight on his job and beyond. Discussion topics include standout projects from his time at Western; unique coating factors to consider with concrete substrates and his local market; industry trends related to technologies, materials, equipment, and workforce development; and much more.

For more information, contact: Western Specialty Contractors, www.westernspecialtycontractors.com

Veterans Find New Ways to Serve in Military Coatings

U.S. Navy Veteran Matt Flory is a global business director at Sherwin-Williams, where he leads the industrial group’s military coatings segment.

With a team comprised largely of Veterans, Flory shares perspective on what they bring to the coatings industry and the role they can play in overcoming workforce development challenges.

For the military market, Flory also outlines recent technological innovations such as chemical agent resistant coatings (CARC); anti-microbial solutions; enhanced corrosion primers; and more.

Exploring the Present and Future of Spray Polyurethane Foam

Ken Wells, co-owner of Elite Insulation & PolyPro and president of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) Board of Directors, joins the CoatingsPro Interview Series. Discussion topics include goals for his current SPFA term; challenges and opportunities within the evolving marketplace of the SPF industry; and resources from the SPFA that can be of assistance.

For more information, contact: SPFA, (800) 523-6154, www.sprayfoam.org

In the Mix: Tips to Choose the Right Coating Solution

Winn Darden, North American business manager for LUMIFLON fluoropolymer resins, shares his perspective on key decision-making processes pertaining to paints and coatings. This sponsored show explores how experts can develop strategic planning approaches that best adapt to current structural and future market demands.

Discussion topics include the details of LUMIFLON and how it works in tandem with coatings; industry trends and feedback from the market segments it plays in; the role of new and emerging technologies; and educational resources available to assist in these challenges.

How New Technologies Are Assisting AkzoNobel’s War on Corrosion

Jeff Jirak, managing director of AkzoNobel’s global powder coatings business, explains how new coating technologies are helping to mitigate corrosion in the built environment. The show also explores the manufacturer’s recent development partnership with CoatingAI, which aims to assist contractors and installers with application processes while reducing their carbon footprint.

For more information, visit: U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partners, Interpon, AkzoNobel on LinkedIn

Master Painters Institute Unveils Decision Tree Tools

The Master Painters Institute (MPI) recently introduced its newest solutions to streamline the process of specifying coatings. As part of this effort, MPI Decision Tree Tools offers a digital interactive guide prompting users to select the most suitable system and products for their commercial and architectural projects, whether for new construction or restorative/repair works.

Pam Nicoletti, president of MPI, explains how these tools encompass all project variables while significantly reducing manual efforts.

For more information, contact: MPI, (888) 674-8937, www.mpi.net/DTree

Sam Scaturro on Industry Trends and His Leadership Journey

Sam Scaturro, President of New Jersey-based Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors, shares his insight on industry trends and career highlights after nearly two decades of success. 

Discussion topics include the process of buying his family business and its transformation over the years; emerging trends in the marketplace; optimal strategies for workforce development; and highlights from his time as an association member leader, including a stint as Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors in 2022.

For more information, contact: Alpine Painting, (866) 596-0349, www.alpinepainting.com

Revisiting Assumptions About Primers in Immersion Service

In a recently published white paper, experts at Induron examined the expected service life of coatings for potable water linings while combining that knowledge with an interpretation of the total applied costs of these systems.

On this sponsored podcast, Induron’s William “Bill” Seawell, technical service manager, and Andy Odorzynski, national sales manager, elaborate on expectations for water tank primers (both zinc and epoxy); how corrosion processes work; and the most important properties a water tank primer should have.

Founded in 1947 and based in Birmingham, Ala., Induron produces high-performance coatings to serve a wide range of industrial applications. These applications include industries such as wastewater, electrical transmission and distribution, and potable water storage and treatment.

For more information, contact: Induron Protective Coatings, (205) 324-9584, www.induron.com

Stronger Together: Amplify Your Voice at AMPP’s Advocacy Day

In a roundtable featuring representatives from AMPP’s member leaders and staff, Kimberly-Joy Harris, Elaine Bowman, and Tim Gonzalez share their perspectives on the importance of participating in AMPP’s annual Advocacy Day (May 15-16, 2024).

Discussion topics include tips to effectively advocate for the materials protection industry; how advocating at the government level can impact our field; specific pieces of U.S. legislation that AMPP is focused on this year; and recent additions to the advocacy campaign, such as the Corrosion and Coatings Political Action Committee (PAC) and the new International Advocacy Program.

 For more information, visit the AMPP Advocacy Day web page.

Establishing the Value of Third-Party Coating Inspectors

Ryan Bingham, business development leader at third-party inspection services provider OMC International, LLC, shares his insight regarding the value that qualified coating inspectors can have within the industry. 

Discussion topics on this episode include trends and common pain points from clients; how technologies and demands continue to evolve; the unique career arc of Bingham and the company; and areas where AMPP can help companies such as OMC achieve their goals while serving the association’s broader mission.

For more information, contact: OMC International, LLC, (281) 398-4281, www.omcintllc.com

The Past, Present, and Future of Coatings Technology

Chris O’Brien, founder and president of Polymer Nation, and Michael Douglass, technical director, join a sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insight on the evolution of coatings technologies. Topics include areas of growth and concern in the industry; common challenges that need to be overcome; which technologies could make the biggest jump in the years ahead; and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their business and the industry’s future.

For more information, contact: Polymer Nation, (847) 774-5038, www.polymernation.com

Key Takeaways from 2024 World of Concrete

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, joins our podcast with key takeaways and observations from the recently completed 2024 World of Concrete (WOC) show in Las Vegas. Topics include common feedback themes and areas of interest for exhibitors and attendees; year-over-year market changes; memorable WOC highlights; and an early look at marquee trade shows on tap for upcoming weeks.

For more information, contact: WOC, www.worldofconcrete.com

How AMPP’s 2024 Flagship Event Meets Industry Needs

Gregory Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships with the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), joins our interview series with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. 

Held from March 3-7 in New Orleans, La., discussion topics include what members can expect at the upcoming show; highlights of the 2024 schedule; feedback-based changes from previous years; and how the latest version of the conference serves the needs of AMPP members and the broader industry.

For more information, contact: AMPP, (800) 797-6223, ace.ampp.org