Russell Raad, president of “one-stop shop” Abrasives Inc., shares his unique insights regarding marketplace trends, changes, and regulatory impacts. Other topics in this interview include challenges related to the surface preparation of industrial coatings jobs; strategies to incorporate feedback from contractors and end users; and an outlook for the future.

Common jobsite situations in which using a supplied-air respirator (SAR) is either suggested or required include contaminated environments where the air could or would otherwise be harmful; inadequate oxygen level environments; and confined space entry, where there are atmospheric hazards.

Meghan Barrera, business director for the Allied Products refinishing brand at paints and coatings manufacturer PPG, explains how she and her team are working to develop practical solutions that help body shops grapple with technician shortages, higher productivity expectations, and a growing need for sustainable practices.

Kaveh Meghdadpour, an executive with Crown Polymers, shares his perspective on industry trends and pain points within floor coatings. In this conversation from our podcast series, the Crown Polymers executive shares several strategies that can potentially address both concerns and opportunities over the years ahead.

Traditionally known for its use in cleaning and preparing surfaces for painting and coating, blasting has expanded its reach into various other sectors such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, and wind. Additionally, the industry has evolved in response to technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting market demands.

Kyle McDonald, project manager at Western Specialty Contractors in Delray Beach, Fla., recently joined the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insights on his job and beyond. Discussion topics include standout projects; unique coating factors for concrete substrates within his market; and industry trends in technologies, materials, equipment, and workforce development.

Under AMPP’s new program, Protective Coatings Specialist (PCS) certification holders will have demonstrated proficiency in technical aspects of coatings, failure analysis, project management, specification review, application, and inspection. The goal is to ensure optimal performance of each coating system throughout its projected service life.

An underground oil pipeline at a Spanish refinery was suffering from severe corrosion, and it would have incurred severe metal loss if left unchecked. Instead, a composite wrap solution allowed the customer to avoid a complete replacement.

Among the myriad of hazards that corrosion control and protective coatings workers face daily, preventing dropped objects must be a top priority. The stakes are too high to ignore: In 2022 alone, falling objects accounted for 238 deaths and 57,000 injuries in the United States.

A proper maintenance plan can be developed in just a few minutes. Those few minutes of proactive planning will ensure that your coating is living up to its responsibility as the first layer of protection for your client’s building, keeping the elements at bay so the bones of the building stay healthy.