On the Line
46 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsOn the Line is the official podcast of Products Finishing. We present stories from the world of coating and finishing in the voices of those who are in the trenches doing the work.
If you're into powder coating, ecoating, anodizing, electroplating, industrial painting or any other surface finishing topic, this is the podcast for you.
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Episodes
Episode 42: An Interview with Robin Deal, Hubbard-Hall
March 18, 2024 15:16 - 26 minutes - 35.7 MBAs the EPA conducts fact-finding surveys in the metal finishing community regarding PFAS contamination, wastewater treatment is a growing concern for finishing operations. In this installment of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast we’re digging into trends in wastewater management. Robin Deal, product manager and wastewater treatment specialist with Hubbard-Hall recently took some time out of her busy schedule to sit down with PF and discuss the latest in this field.
Episode 41: An Interview with Holly Gottfredson, Finishing Dynamics, American Metalcraft Inc.
February 06, 2024 12:52 - 25 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this episode of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast, we delve into the subject of workforce, touching on such topics as gender roles in manufacturing, and the importance of education in fostering a workforce for the future of the industry. Holly Gottfredson, president of two companies involved in manufacturing for the architectural market (American Metalcraft Inc. and Finishing Dynamics), recently took some time out of her busy schedule to talk with PF about her work running these c...
Episode 40: On The Line Discusses Industry Trends, Year Ahead
January 18, 2024 17:19 - 8 minutes - 11.5 MBThis marks our 40th episode of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast and to celebrate we decided to turn the interviewer into the interviewee as PF senior editor Lori Beckman interviews PF editor-in-chief Scott Francis about some of the trends that are top of mind for finishers, industry events that are on the horizon and some of PF’s initiatives for the year.
Episode 39: An Interview with Frank Laster, A1 Paint, Powder and Sandblasting; Jordan Peterson, Steehead Technologies
December 21, 2023 14:06 - 24 minutes - 27.7 MBIn the latest installment of On the Line, Products Finishing learned about a recent ERP deployment by manufacturing software solutions provider Steelhead Technologies that was completed in record time for A1 Paint, Powder and Sandblasting in Kansas City, Missouri. Frank Laster, president and owner of A1 and Jordan Peterson, deployment engineer for Steelhead Technologies, recently sat down with PF to talk about the project.
Episode 38: On the Line — Looking Back on 2023
November 07, 2023 19:59 - 48 minutes - 67.1 MBThe end of 2023 marks the completion of the third full season of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast. This installment marks our 38th episode of OTL (not counting several bonus episodes, video eps, etc.) and our last of 2023. To celebrate, PF is looking back at some of the stories from the past year that stood out as representative of some of the major topics in the surface finishing industry. Check out this special retrospective episode.
Episode 37: An Interview with John Mulder, Master Finish
October 17, 2023 18:52 - 14 minutes - 19.8 MBOne of the biggest issues in the metal finishing industry is the move away from hexavalent chromium-based finishing technologies. While trivalent chromium alternatives have existed for decades, hexavalent has been favored by many in the industry. Today, as trivalent chemistries improve and regulations tighten, more platers are compelled to make the switch. In this installment of On the Line, PF had the opportunity to speak with John Mulder, president of Master Finish (Grand Rapids, Mich.)....
Episode 36: An Interview with Peter Mirabello, Metal Finishing Technologies LLC
September 21, 2023 19:14 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBIn this installment of On the Line, we take a look at evolving material solutions trends and what they mean for finishers, particularly with regard to ways in which lightweighting and electrification of aerospace and automotive applications are influencing finishing operations. Peter Mirabello is chairman of Metal Finishing Technologies LLC, a company with a 75-year legacy in metal finishing with much of its work focused on aerospace and defense, including a large maintenance, repair and ove...
Episode 35: Advancing Trivalent Chromium for Functional Coatings
August 22, 2023 13:28 - 17 minutes - 24.3 MBRecently, Products Finishing attended the 2023 SUR/FIN finishing trade show and technical conference organized by the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). Unsurprisingly, one of the big topics of discussion was the increasing adoption of trivalent chromium technologies for finishing applications. One company working to advance the use of trivalent chromium for functional coating applications is Trion Coatings (South Bend, Ind.) with its SAFEChrome technology. SUR/FIN provided a...
Episode 34: An Interview with Chrissy Pullara, Astro Electroplating
July 29, 2023 11:10 - 21 minutes - 29 MBFrom research chemist to chemistry teacher to marketing manager to business development, Astro Electroplating’s new president Chrissy Pullara has already had a prolific career in finishing — she recently sat down with Products Finishing's On the Line podcast to talk about her experience, trends in the industry and what’s next for her company.
Episode 33: Advances in Finishing Automation: An Interview with Hope Dollarhide, FANUC
June 25, 2023 13:16 - 19 minutes - 26.4 MBAutomation solutions are seeing increasing adoption for finishing applications, driven by shifting trends in the workforce, rapid advances in robotics and smart technology, as well as the need for repeatability and consistency in quality. In this installment of On the Line, Products Finishing sits down with Hope Dollarhide, Project Engineer for automotive component and industrial paint with FANUC for insights into automation trends in the industry.
Episode 32: An Interview with Bobby Haggard, TrinSoft LLC
May 22, 2023 14:34 - 19 minutes - 27.2 MBIn this installment of Products Finishing’s On the Line column, we discuss ERP solutions for finishers, and the latest trends and software for streamlining business operations. Given the wide variety of ERP systems, from off-the-shelf solutions to custom programs, how do finishers know what to look for when they’re thinking of implementing new software? Robert (Bobby) Haggard is a consultant for TrinSoft LLC, a company that provides industry-specific solutions for manufacturing and finishing...
Episode 31: An Interview with Matthew Kirchner, LAB Midwest
April 27, 2023 13:40 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBIn this installment of On the Line, Products Finishing catches up with PF columnist and host of the TechEd Podcast Matthew Kirchner, president of LAB Midwest, a distributor of e-learning and hands-on training equipment dedicated to furthering industrial education programs and workforce training. Kirchner has been involved directly in manufacturing for more than 20 years and has spent the last eight years working in education and training for those interested in pursuing or furthering careers...
Episode 30: An Interview With Rhonda Dibachi, CEO, HeyScottie
March 22, 2023 14:24 - 20 minutes - 23.3 MBThe past few years have radically changed the supply chain landscape and the way business is conducted. In the midst of this upheaval comes new opportunities for manufacturers who are seeking the right partners. In this installment of On the Line, Products Finishing talks with Rhonda Dibachi, founder and CEO of HeyScottie, a new AI-enabled, cloud-based marketplace for anodizing, powder coating and electroless nickel finishing services. Dibachi discusses how her new automatic pricing engine c...
Episode 29: An Interview With Kim Scott, Maui Powder Works
February 15, 2023 13:28 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBIn this episode of On the Line, we sit down with Kim Scott, the voice behind Maui Powder Works’ Powder Coater Podcast, to learn about the company’s grassroots approach to marketing and the mission that has grown from the podcast that helped propel Maui Powder Works from an island job shop to a recognized voice in the finishing community. In addition to running a powder coating operation that serves all of the Hawaiiian islands, Maui Powder Works also records and produce the Powder Coater ...
Episode 28.5: Bryan Leiker, MFACA, Discusses Jan. 27 CARB Public Hearing
February 06, 2023 15:49 - 12 minutes - 17.6 MBThis episode of On the Line follows up on an ongoing story for the finishing community and the topic of a recent interview with Bryan Leiker, executive director for the Metal Finishers Association of California (MFACA) – and that is the latest regulatory discussion over a proposed ban of hexavalent chromium use for plating and anodizing operations in the state. On January 27 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) conducted a public hearing where members of the finishing community had th...
Episode 28: Opportunities for Finishers in Today’s Ever-changing Automotive Landscape
January 25, 2023 19:38 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBProduction levels and demand for electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise. What opportunities and challenges are in store for finishers working in the automotive space? In this installment of On the Line, Products Finishing catches up with Darrick Gula, North American OEM manager Atotech product line, and Brandon Lloyd, global product manager for paint support technology with MKS to hear about the ways chemical suppliers are helping to innovate in today’s ever-changing automotive landscape.
Episode 27: 2022 — The Year in Review
December 14, 2022 17:34 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis special retrospective episode of On the Line takes a look back at the podcast's second full season, discussing some of the themes and industry trends from 2022 as we look ahead to a new year. What might 2023 have in store for coaters & finishers? Products Finishing editor-in-chief Scott Francis and Todd Luciano, vice president for the Finishing and Valve media brands of PF’s parent company Gardner Business Media, discuss some of what the industry has gone through this past year, revis...
Episode 26.5: California Metal Finishers Push Back on Hex Chrome Ban
December 07, 2022 12:39 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBFor this bonus installment of On the Line, Products Finishing sat down with Bryan Leiker, executive director for the Metal Finishers Association of California (MFACA) to get an update on the latest moves to ban hexavalent chromium use for plating and anodizing operations in the state. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the proposed amendments to the Airborne Toxic Control Measure for chromium electroplating and chromic acid anodizing operations, the outcome is critical for the finishi...
Episode 26: Interviews from FABTECH 2022
November 21, 2022 14:40 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBThe latest episode of PF’s On the Line podcast rounds up some of the interviews we recorded at FABTECH 2022. You’ll hear from John Anderson of Bulk Chemicals and Kelly McCabe of PEM about their work on a project for farm equipment provider Bazooka Farmstar Inc. Derek DeGeest of LestaUSA and JD Rogers Wagner discuss a new partnership between the two companies aimed at providing automation solutions for finishers. Phil Kelly of Circle-Prosco talks advances in zirconium pretreatment technolog...
Episode 25: An Interview with Darren Howard, Circle-Prosco Inc.
October 24, 2022 18:32 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBAs phosphate-based pretreatments become increasingly regulated, more finishers are considering zirconium pretreatment solutions. In this episode of On the Line, the official podcast of Products Finishing magazine, Darren Howard, a key account manager with Circle-Prosco, Inc., discusses the increasing popularity of zirconium pretreatment use in such areas as automotive and agriculture.
Episode 24: An Interview With Keith Jacobs, CEO, ElectraMet
September 28, 2022 16:49 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBIn this episode of On the Line, the official podcast of Products Finishing, Keith Jacobs, CEO of wastewater solutions provider ElectraMet, discusses the company’s approach for reclaiming heavy metals and the latest sustainability trends for wastewater treatment.
Episode 23: Brad Durkin Discusses Electroless Nickel
August 16, 2022 18:21 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBFinal preparations are underway for Electroless Nickel Conference 2022, presented by Products Finishing and Gardner Business Media. Taking place October 11-13 in Indianapolis, Ind., the conference is the first of its kind for the EN industry since 2010 and offers attendees a wealth electroless nickel education and networking opportunities. Industry veteran Brad Durkin is serving as the technical director for the event. With more than 35 years of industry experience, including his role as tec...
Episode 22: An Interview with Gary Vasilash, Gardner Business Media
July 27, 2022 16:53 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBGary Vasilash is the transportation editor for Gardner Business Media. He has written about the automotive industry for more than 30 years and has covered everything from trends and best practices to innovations and emerging technologies. His work has appeared in a wide variety of publications including Automotive Design & Production magazine, AutoBeat, Car and Driver and The Wall Street Journal. In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing catches up with Gary to get his take on curre...
Episode 21: Interviews From SUR/FIN 2022
July 08, 2022 14:10 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBThe National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) SUR/FIN finishing industry tradeshow always provides a great opportunity to compare notes on the topics that are of the greatest concern for the finishing community. In this episode of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast, we highlight some of the conversations we had at the show regarding the industry’s collaborative response to increasing regulatory pressure to transition existing hexavalent chrome to trivalent chromium.
Episode 20: Jesse Baldwin, Triplex Plating
June 15, 2022 16:57 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBIn this episode of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast we’re celebrating one of top-ranking shops in this year’s Top Shops Benchmarking Survey – our annual program designed to provide shops with helpful data for measuring their performance. Jesse Baldwin, chief operating officer for 2022 electroplating and anodizing Top Shop Triplex Plating, discusses the importance of benchmarking and the company’s formula for success.
Episode 19: Brandon Acker, Titan Abrasive Systems
May 11, 2022 13:27 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBIn this episode of On the Line, the official podcast of Products Finishing we delve into blasting methods for preparation of surfaces prior to finishing. Brandon Acker is president of Titan Abrasive Systems, a manufacturer of media blasting equipment and custom-engineered blast rooms that has been a provider of American-made blasting solutions since 1953. In this interview, Acker offers an overview of Titan’s offerings, insights for blasting best practices, common pitfalls and more.
Episode 18: Richard Lynch, MacDermid Enthone
March 31, 2022 10:14 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBThis year marks the 100 year anniversary of MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions — global chemical supplier for the surface finishing industry. In this episode of On the Line, we sit down with the company's vice president Richard Lynch as he reflects on the company's 100 years and discusses its goals for the future.
Episode 17: 2022 Finishing Hall of Fame Inductee Tony Revier
March 01, 2022 18:58 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBIn this episode of On the Line, we speak with one of the recipients of the 2022 installment of the Products Finishing's Hall of Fame Award, Tony Revier with Uymura International, a global leader in the development, testing and manufacture of plating chemistries. Revier discusses his experiences in the industry, as well as his insights into what the future might hold for surface finishing.
Episode 16: Passion for the Industry (An Interview with Jim Jones, DIFCO)
January 27, 2022 19:55 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBJim Jones has spent almost his entire life in and around the finishing industry. Jones’ father began working in the plating industry during WWII where he worked for Air Service Command in the plating shop at Warner Robins Air Force Base, and then working at Simmons Plating Works (Atlanta, Ga.) and eventually co-founding DIFCO. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Jones held summer jobs at finishing shops before enlisting in the military himself. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Jones return...
Episode 15: Making Chrome Safe
January 03, 2022 12:02 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBIn this episode of On the Line, we sit down with Doug Morrison of Trion Coatings LLC of South Bend, Ind., Mauricio Quiroz, chief scientist and co-founder, and Kyle Hankinson, director of special projects for KCH Surface Finishing to hear about a new non-aqueous trivalent chromium chemistry known as SAFE Chrome. Trion says the solution is designed to provide the finishing industry with safe and environmentally sustainable functional and decorative chrome coatings that match the performance of...
Episode 14: Transformation
December 29, 2021 14:20 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBIn this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing sits down with Andrew Kossowski, owner of Veterans Metal (an old school finishing operation with a 30-year legacy of offering a variety of finishes, including anodizing, chem film, and passivation). In 2022 the company plans to completely update its traditional manual processes with digital solutions and automation. Starting with this podcast episode, Products Finishing will follow Veterans Metal's progress over the course of the year, off...
On the Line — The Year In Review
December 14, 2021 20:35 - 51 minutes - 81.9 MBIn this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing looks back at what seemed like some of the most pertinent stories we covered during the course of the year. Topics included supply chain disruption, workforce issues and regulatory battles — issues that were top of mind for those in the surface finishing industry.
Trends in Automation for Finishers
November 19, 2021 13:14 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBA number of factors have been driving the increasing adoption of IoT and automation technologies by surface finishing operations. In this episode of On the Line, we hear insights into automation trends for finishers from some of the exhibitors on the show floor at this year’s FABTECH. Featured interviews include Derek DeGeest of DeGeest Corp., Rob Weber of Fischer Technology, Jacob Fortmeyer of Carlisle Fluid Technologies and Robert Ravensburgen of OmniRobotic. Each offer insights into what ...
Episode 12: Trends in Automation for Finishers
November 19, 2021 13:14 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBA number of factors have been driving the increasing adoption of IoT and automation technologies by surface finishing operations. In this episode of On the Line, we hear insights into automation trends for finishers from some of the exhibitors on the show floor at this year’s FABTECH. Featured interviews include Derek DeGeest of DeGeest Corp., Rob Weber of Fischer Technology, Jacob Fortmeyer of Carlisle Fluid Technologies and Robert Ravensburgen of OmniRobotic. Each offer insights into what ...
Weathering the Supply Chain Storm, Part 2 - Metal Plating
October 26, 2021 18:06 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBAs finishers struggle to stay afloat amidst supply chain shortages and price increases, Douglas Hughes, product manager wear resistant coatings for MacDermid Enthone and Coventya offers insights into the causes of the supply challenges metal finishers are facing, and discusses strategies for coping with the problem.
Interview with Michael Feldstein, Surface Technology Inc.
September 28, 2021 13:39 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBIn this episode of On the Line, Michael Feldstein, president of Surface Technology Inc. (STI), the top-ranking 2021 Products Finishing Top Shop for the electroplating and anodizing benchmarking category, discusses STI’s history of success and its approach to innovation.
Weathering the Supply Chain Storm
September 07, 2021 13:29 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBFrom COVID to workforce to supply disruptions, the past year and a half has wreaked havoc with the flow of materials used for coatings. In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing digs deeper into the supply chain woes that coaters are experiencing, specifically within the powder coating world, but also for manufacturing at large. Guests include Quint Towle, director of sales and marketing for Powder Technology Inc. and Michael Guckes, chief economist with Gardner Intelligence, the da...
Weathering the Supply Chain Storm, Part 1 - Powder Coating
September 07, 2021 13:29 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBFrom COVID to workforce to supply disruptions, the past year and a half has wreaked havoc with the flow of materials used for coatings. In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing digs deeper into the supply chain woes that coaters are experiencing, specifically within the powder coating world, but also for manufacturing at large. Guests include Quint Towle, director of sales and marketing for Powder Technology Inc. and Michael Guckes, chief economist with Gardner Intelligence, the da...
Considering Hex Chrome Alternatives
July 06, 2021 13:10 - 27 minutes - 37.5 MBAs discussions with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) continue over proposed hexavalent chromium regulations, many metal finishing operations in the state of California are thinking about the considerations and ramifications of switching to alternate technologies. In this episode of On the Line, we hear from LumiShield CEO David Luebke and Senior Scientist John Watkins Ph.D, who over the past decade have been working to bring one such alternative technology to market.
Streamlining Communication Between Manufacturers and Finishers
June 02, 2021 14:05 - 27 minutes - 37.1 MBIn this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing editor-in-chief Scott Francis sits down with Jason Ray, CEO and co-founder of Paperless Parts, a software provider that offers a quoting system aimed at streamlining how companies involved in the manufacturing process communicate and work together.
Transitioning Hexavalent Chromium to Trivalent, Part 2
May 25, 2021 11:03 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBIn this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing editor-in-chief Scott Francis sits down with Bryan Leiker and Justin Guzman representing the Metal Finishers Association of California to discuss the impact of California’s recently proposed transition deadlines for hexavalent chromium plating to trivalent chromium alternatives.
Transitioning Hexavalent Chromium to Trivalent, Part 1
May 17, 2021 19:05 - 22 minutes - 30.3 MBIn this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing editor-in-chief sits down with Mark Shario, executive vice president with Columbia Chemical to hear about the latest innovations in trivalent chromium plating technology.
Surface Finishing and Environmental Stewardship
April 21, 2021 20:45 - 39 minutes - 54.6 MBIn this episode of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast we focus on the environment, recycling and sustainability. We’ll speak with powder coating recycling company Innovakote and hear about Advanced Plating Technologies’ efforts to recycle metals from electroplating sludge.
Tractors in the Sky
March 17, 2021 15:35 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MBIn this episode of PF’s On the Line podcast, we hear about an electrocoating facility installed by Air Tractor, a manufacturer of cropdusters and firefighting airplanes.
Episode 2: Diversity in the Finishing Industry
February 18, 2021 22:07 - 35 minutes - 49.2 MBProducts Finishing’s On the Line podcast for coaters and finishers discusses the topic of diversity in the finishing industry with interviews with Lab Midwest president and PF columnist Matthew Kirchner and Bales Metal Surface Solutions president Stacey Bales.
Episode 1: Early Days - Insights Into the Surface Finishing Industry
February 17, 2021 19:54 - 1 hour - 87.2 MBOur very first episode of On the Line discusses ways the PF brand celebrates the legacy of the finishing industry with programs like the Finishing Hall of Fame, but also looks to the future with programs like the 40 Under 40 emerging leaders program. Hear interviews with Finishing Hall of Fame inductee Bill Saas of Coventya and powder coating expert Rodger Talbert and commentary from editor-in-chief Scott Francis.