Intech Announces our 2017 I³ Webinar Series!

The Intech Information Institute, or I³, was created to provide formal training and instruction on a wide variety of fluoropolymer coating related topics.  

The I³ Webinar Series is intended to increase overall understanding of the Teflon™ coating product line, market dynamics, application, and growth drivers. Participants will gain practical information and valuable insights in an easily accessible, thirty-minute format. There is no cost to register, and we encourage the participation of everyone in your organization involved in the Teflon™ coating segment to join in.

Teflon™ Coatings in the Chemical Processing Industry
May 23^rd, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
The chemical processing environment can be extremely harsh and corrosive, especially where steam is present. Many coatings help protect base metals but consistently fail at elevated temperatures over 300°F.  Teflon™ Ruby Red was formulated to handle these conditions and has been unmatched in performance since its release on the market. Learn more about the negative effects of chemical permeation on standard coatings and how Teflon™ Ruby Red combats these effects.

Substrate Preparation
June 20^th, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
A Teflon™ industrial coating is only as good as the prepared surface it is being applied to. Good adhesion can make or break the performance of a properly baked Teflon™ coating.  The life of a coating can be directly related to the steps taken in cleaning and providing a good surface to adhere to. Find out the best substrates, proper surface preparation materials, and processes necessary to maximize adhesion results for Teflon™ coatings. 
Industrial Marketing
July 18^th, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
A key aspect of growing any business is reaching prospects in your target markets. The Industrial Marketing webinar will give high-level view of critical elements to any industrial marketing plan: strategy, branding, inbound marketing, and outbound marketing. The marketing tools discussed have all proven to be effective for industrial coaters.
Teflon™ Coatings in the Food Processing Industry
August 22, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
There are many manufacturing challenges in the food processing industry from packaging and material handling to food production. Teflon™ coatings offer a wide variety of FDA approved options to meet the many needs in this industry, whether it’s the repeated heat cycling and abuse of a waffle iron or the non-stick requirements for mass-produced hamburger roll trays. Learn about the many applications in this sizable industry and the Teflon ™coatings that are designed to meet the challenges they present.
Application Equipment
September 19^th, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
“Do you have Teflon™ paint in a spray can?” is a frequent question asked by consumers. If only applying Teflon™ coating was that easy. Teflon™ coatings come in both liquid and powder formulations, and there are numerous ways to apply Teflon™ industrial coatings, but all Teflon™ coating applications require baking to work properly. If you currently apply Teflon™ industrial coatings or are interested in setting up a coating operation and want to find out the various ways to apply this amazing product, this is the webinar for you.
Coating Cost Estimation
November 28^th, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
With over 100 different products in the Teflon™ coating line, pricing a project correctly is essential for maximizing budgets and profits. Teflon™ coatings can be applied in various thicknesses and many have different surface area coverage and application techniques. The part shape and transfer efficiency of the material also play into estimating Teflon™ coating applications. Teflon™ coatings are known for having superior coverage in contrast to the discount copies. Know the real value of Teflon™ coatings with accurate costing calculations.
Teflon™ Coatings in the Molding Industry 
December 12^th, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
The molding industry has long relied on manually applied release agents on their rubber or plastic molds during the manufacturing process. The procedure of applying these release agents is time consuming and expensive. Teflon™ coatings offer long-term solutions as a release agent for a variety of the products used in molding. Learn how your company can save money with Teflon™ coated molds. 
Teflon™ Coatings in the Oil and Gas Industry
January 23^rd, 2017 2:00 P.M. EST
In the harsh and corrosive outdoor environment of the oil and gas industry, coatings are necessary to help protect fasteners, valves, and pipes from rust, pitting and galling. The hydrophobic and chemically resistant nature of Teflon™ fluoropolymers, coupled with corrosion inhibitors, allows it to provide the salt resistance needed in an ocean environment as well as the protection against caustic chemicals down hole in wells and piping systems. Learn about our superior Teflon™ coatings and their applications in the oil and gas industry.

Teflon™ Pioneer Interview Series: Steven Schwartz

Q: When was your company founded?
A: Plastics Consulting and Manufacturing Company was founded in February 1962.

Q: Who founded the company and why?

A: Sol Schwartz, my father, originally created the company as Plastics Consulting Company in 1962. Sol was a plant manager with DuPont in the first plant that produced Teflon™. He decided to start a company consulting for industrial businesses using plastics as a potential solution. Over time, as he couldn’t find people to manufacture the solutions that he developed, he figured he would start doing it himself. Thus, the company transitioned into “Plastics Consulting and Manufacturing Company”, or PCM for short. Since the beginning, and even to this day, our mantra is “solutions for the customer”. If we’re not doing that, if we’re strictly putting a coating on a part, we’re not doing our job. Our job is to provide a value added solution for the customer. That’s how the company was started and how it continues to this day.

Q: What was the first significant piece of equipment you purchased?

A: There were two significant equipment purchases. When Sol could not find solutions for his customers, he decided to provide them. He spent $300 in 1964 for a 12-inch cube oven and a $50 spray gun. He built his own spray booth from scrap metal, and that’s how he began spraying coatings. More recently, in 2014, we built a completely new plant, and, with the help of Intech, we purchased a 10’x10’x16’ 850° Precision Quincy oven. As far as airflow and uniformity, it’s as good or better than anything I have ever seen.

Q: How would you describe the changes in the company now from when it was first started?

A: Today, we are 100% focused on coatings-based solutions for our customers. A vast majority of those are fluoropolymer solutions. That transition to coated parts really took hold in the mid 70s. Prior to that, we did linings, injection molding, and machine fluoropolymer parts as well. Every day, the constant is that somebody comes to us with a problem or question or looking for a cost saving in his or her process, and we look to do it in a way that adds value.

Q: What would you consider significant milestones in your company?

A: In the late 90s, we narrowed our focus to the food processing industry. This was a very purposeful move because we saw food processing from a regulatory standpoint and the increased focus on food safety as a good match with our product line. It was a big turning point for us. Of course, the building of the new plant in 2014 was another milestone. We had a fire in part of our old plant, so we decided to level the facility and build a new facility from scratch. The opportunity to build this new facility and the focus on food processing opened up all kinds of efficiencies for us. It increased our capacity, we went to state of the art equipment, and we were able to design a better workflow that allowed us to be more flexible and more competitive.

Q: How has the coating industry itself changed over time?

A: From 1,000 feet up, the most significant change is the deep focus on sustainability. I think we have an obligation to use materials and processes in our business that support responsible environmental practices. I think that our customers are far more attuned to those issues today than they were 10-20 years ago. At the same time, with that in the background, our partners, such as Chemours, are coming up with new materials that perform even better in this environment, and not even just in the materials but also in the process technology. There’s a history of coaters, like me, isolating companies like Chemours. Those days are over in the U.S. We now work together as partners, which is advantageous in terms of protecting customers and delivering superior products and solutions that adhere to regulations. There are real implications and it’s not something we do to just pass paper on.

Q: When did you get your LIA license?

A: In the late 60s, a customer came to us who was an injection molder down south. They were having issues with sticking, build-up, and the process. We showed them that if they got a Teflon™ coating on the processing parts, they could run substantially quicker with lower pressures and less waste. Back then, DuPont liked that we were proactively going out to find problems in the industry. They offered us the opportunity to become an LIA, and of course we accepted.

Q: How has being an LIA affected your company?

A: It lends a certain level of credibility when we communicate with our customer base. The name speaks for itself. Perhaps the biggest impact is the closeness that it allows us to work with the Intech and Chemours teams. Whether it’s lead generation, technical support, sales support, or inventory management, it’s really one of those few truly symbiotic, vertical relationships that we see as a strong value-add. It also gives us a freedom to develop new markets and opportunities. The net result of that, which goes back to the original company’s DNA, is a very closely tailored solution for our customers’ needs.

Q: What is your favorite Teflon ™ coating?

A: My favorite coating is the coating that works the best and provides the maximum value for my customers’ needs. You’re kind of asking me which of my children I love the most. I don’t have a favorite. Much like my children, there are some coatings that I like on some days more than others. We’re a big fan of the ETFE line. It’s extremely user friendly and provides strong value for many of our customers. The 421 coating line is also a workhorse for us. Finally, we’ve been impressed with some of the new water-based technology. For us, reducing or eliminating VOCs is a big focus.

Q: What excites you about the future of the coating industry?

A: It’s never ceased to amaze me, every day, a phone call or e-mail is initiated, where somebody has a problem that we can solve. Often, it’s the case that the customer doesn’t even know that this solution exists, even with as mature of a product as Teflon™ coatings. Mostly, it is just about educating them on the proper coating and the proper application. So, every day there’s a new opportunity that could be seismic in terms of the potential impact on our business. There aren’t a lot of industries that can say that. I’ve been doing this for 22 years now, and I remember when I started, that was one of my big takeaways.To this day, 22 years later, it’s still true.

Q: Is there anything else that you’d like to include that we haven’t covered?

A: Everything that PCM does is truly a team effort, from the guys on the shop floor, who in some cases are truly artists, to quality control, to the office staff, to the sales team, to the management team; it truly is a team effort that I am really proud of.

Intech's Fundraiser for Exceptional Care for Children

Our Community Service Team’s annual event was on April 6th this year! We were so happy to spend a few hours with great people in a space buzzing with positive energy and good vibes.

“It takes a village…” couldn’t be more true for both the Exceptional Care for Children (ECC) and our fundraiser. We never could have had the success we did without some incredible help from caring people in our community. Catherine Rooney’s of Trolley Square once again donated the space, all the food, and service from their servers and bartenders. The McCoy family is truly inspiring in the way they give back through their business. Back for the second year in a row was also our talented professional photographer, Sarah Gaspero of Tuleya Photography. She generously donated her time, artistic eye, and photos of this wonderful event. We are also fortunate enough to have many repeat donors for our live auction, including Barbara and Conrad Heilman who donated a week in their rental home in Key West, Hartefeld National Golf Club that donated a round of golf for four, The Hyatt in Dewey Beach that donated a 2 night stay, and our own Mike Patterson generously gave up four tickets to any Ravens game of the winner’s choice. New to this year’s live auction, but certainly a return donor and attendee, was Premier Auto and Tire whose donation of four new tires, alignment, and oil change was a hot item.

Our Community Service team did awesome with soliciting donations from local businesses to raffle off. We are so thankful to all who came together for a greater good, and we are proud to patronize those businesses. New to this year, we also offered sponsorships for companies that wanted to donate monetarily directly to the ECC. All of our sponsors were honored in a separate display and were a huge part of our collective success.

Speaking of success, our super secret goal that we told nobody (because we were a little scared of how big it seemed) was to raise $10,000.00 for the ECC. We are so proud to say that this year, we raised $11,500.00, exceeding even our own expectations. Everyone had a great time and your attendance, donation, tipping, and overall sharing of the event was what allowed us to help change the lives of kids for the better. Although the battle-of-the-sexes competition got intense, truly we all won that night as we came together, networked, raised money, raised glasses, and toasted to fond memories and warm hearts. We can’t wait to see you there next year!

Straightforward Product Codes: Simplicity yet Flexibility of the Teflon™ Line

Teflon has a simple, classic product line. It doesn’t leave room for confusion, yet allows room for change and evolution. Other companies that sell industrial coatings will claim that they have the most complete line, but customers often find this false or confusing. The coding of the Teflon™ brand is straightforward and direct. Customers need not question the quality of a multitude of colors.

The Teflon™ brand colors are limited because we focus on performance and durability over appearance. The colors that we have are the best and always chosen because of their strength and effectiveness. We keep our line small because we focus on each coating, making complete assurance that no matter what a customer chooses, it will be fully functional and successful, not just decorative.

This being said, the Teflon™ line is still a robust product line of powders and liquids, leaving no coater or industry out of the loop. The line stems across all Teflon™ families as an entire array of coatings for all practices and end uses.

Intech Fitness Challenge Begins!

At Intech, we always strive to not only perform our specific jobs to the best of our ability, but also live healthy lifestyles! We're back at it again this season with our Intech Fitness Challenge! The challenge began on March 1st, and will run until March 30th.

Each employee participating put 10 dollars into the bucket, and has the goal of exercising 30 minutes a day for an average of at least 3.5 days per week. Depending on how often employees participate in any kind of exercise, whether it be walking, running, working out, or swimming, they will either lose their money, get their money back, or win extra cash!

To keep everyone in the know and motivated, there will be a chart on our lounge refrigerator. This friendly competition is not about winning-it's about feeling good and improving your health! Good luck to all participating members of the Intech Team!