News 'N Views - February 2025

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

• Eastern coatings show

• fall forum

• member news

• member spotlight

• holiday party 2024 - awards

• MNYCA EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

• welcome new members

• CALENDAR OF EVENTS

• member companies

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

John Messina, MNYCA President

MNYCA members,

I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. It’s a good time to reflect on last year’s successes and look forward to what’s next. Last October, we returned to the live forum format which was well received. Based on attendee feedback, we will continue offering informative discussions addressing topics that will benefit our members. We also returned to Liberty House for our annual holiday party. It was a terrific evening with great food at a beautiful venue.

There is also a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months as we embark on our next chapter. The Eastern Coatings Show will be taking place May 13th – 15th at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. It is a great opportunity to network and learn about the latest developments in the coatings industry.

Our annual scholarship program is also underway. As in years past, we are accepting applications for the Michael A. Granito Scholarship Award for high school students entering college or trade school and the College Student Scholarship Award for undergraduate college students. The application deadline is April 1st, and winners will be announced at our Annual Meeting in June. Speaking of which, this year’s meeting will take place on June 3rd, 2025, at Macaluso’s in Hawthorne, NJ with a cocktail party from 6-9pm.

Also in June, we will have our annual Golf Outing on June 12th. This year, we decided to change the venue, and it will be held at Galloping Hill in Kenilworth, NJ. In addition, we will be having a continental breakfast before the 9am shotgun start followed by awards and lunch from 2-4pm.

I am also happy to announce that this year’s baseball outing will be returning to the Audi Club at Yankee Stadium on July 31st, 2025. Please save the date and join us for a fun day of baseball and networking. Remember, a delicious buffet lunch is included with your ticket!

I wish you all a happy, healthy, and successful 2025. Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you all in the coming year.

Kind regards,

John Messina, President MNYCA

eastern coatings show

may 13-15 harrah’s resort, atlantic city, nj

The ECS is quickly approaching in less than 90 days, and the energy is building. The ECS is the largest regional coating show in the U.S. with over 1,200 attendees in 2023. It is easy to access by car and flights into Newark, NJ or Philadelphia, PA.

Highlights of the Show:

• Registration is open

• Hotel blocks are in place

• Exhibits booths are filling up, but it is not too late to participate

• Keynote speaker has been announced: Frank “Sully” Sullivan, President of DayGlo Color Corp. (an RPM Company)

• Short Course is available on Tuesday, May 13th

• Over 100 exhibitors

• Businesswomen in Paints & Coatings event Wednesday, May 14th

• Over 40 Technical papers will be presented

More about the keynote speaker. Mr. Sullivan will deliver a keynote address titled “Manufacturing in the age of Social Media: Why Making Stuff Matters.” In his speech, Mr. Sullivan will discuss the importance of manufacturing in a world that is increasingly dominated by big tech, AI and social media influencers. He will also share his thoughts on how to attract the next generation of talent to the paint and coatings industry.

Sullivan is the 4th generation of his family to work in the business that his Great-Grandfather founded in 1947. DayGlo is an operating division within the Fortune 500 company RPM International.

For more information, go to the web site: https://easterncoatingsshow.com/

fall forum

beyond pfas: exploring new chemistries and alternatives for formula optimization

This event was held on October 17, 2024, and focused on PFAS regulations, applications, and alternative replacement strategies. The presentations highlighted the use of fluoropolymers and PTFE micro powder in various applications. Due to PFAS concerns, the discussion centered on current regulations and the search for non-PFAS alternatives like basic and alloy waxes. The use of PFAS in paints and coatings was also explored, emphasizing the need for replacement strategies. The importance of managing expectations and considering different chemistries and test methods was stressed to achieve desired performance properties.

The event was well-attended, generating insightful questions and fostering valuable one-on-one discussions during the cocktail hour.

The event is featured in Coatings World. Go to the link to read further: https://www.coatingsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2024-08-15/mnyca-to-host-technical-forum/

MEMBER news

Superior Materials will represent Westlake Epoxy in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and southeastern United States effective Feb. 1, 2025.

Westlake Epoxy has been an industry-leading manufacturer of epoxy resins, curing agents and modifiers for more than 60 years with domestic manufacturing sites in Illinois, Florida and Texas.

Click here for additional information: Superior Materials Will Represent Westlake Epoxy | Coatings World

Gehring Montgomery announced the hiring of Taylor Murray, a seasoned professional in chemical engineering with a wealth of experience in manufacturing and selling coating chemicals. Murray brings an impressive track record of success, having provided tailored chemical solutions for clients across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Click here for additional information: Gehring Montgomery Welcomes Taylor Murray To The Team | Coatings World

Gehring Montgomery Welcomes Taylor Murray To The Team | Coatings World

Gehring Montgomery announce their awarded distributorship of ddchem of Italy of their Epoxy Resins and Epoxy hardeners for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Region of the United States.

Gehring-Montgomery, a leading chemical distributor in the USA, based in Warminster, Pennsylvania is part of TER Chemicals Distribution Group. . .

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

PFLAUMER BROTHERS, INC. Founded 91 years ago by Art and Bill Pflaumer, Pflaumer Brothers, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals based on proprietary technology for coatings, adhesives, inks, plastics, metalworking fluids and lubricants, as well as other applications such as electronics and composites. Pflaumer’s technology covers a broad range of chemistries, including polymerized phosphate esters, polyglycerol esters, polyesters and polyamides, polymerized isocyanates, polyurethanes, epoxy amine crosslinkers, polyaspartics, acrylic and methacrylic polymers, and specialty amines.

Pflaumer Brothers has developed considerable know-how in dispersions of solids in liquids, such as pigment dispersions, and in the technology of nano-dispersions where the solid particles are less than one micron in diameter, such as graphene nano-ribbons and graphene quantum dots, both crystals of carbon.

The company also has expertise in the synthesis of organic crystals for use as pigments and in the “treatment” or modification of pigments to make pigments effective for various applications, including coatings, inks and plastics. The pigments are used in high-performance applications such as automotive coatings, and they include classes of pigments known as quinacridone and DPP.

The company has a unique aliphatic trimer isocyanate designed for polyaspartic coatings to supplement its complete line of aliphatic isocyanates. These isocyanates extend working time, reduce viscosity and provide a range of flexibility to polyaspartic coatings. They also have specialty polyols and aromatic isocyanates for use in 2-K urethanes as well as water-based polyols for polyurethane polymer concrete, one of the fastest growing segments of the coatings industry.

Customers value Pflaumer’s technical expertise in enhancing their products and businesses. This collaborative approach frequently leads to the development of innovative solutions, fostering exceptional growth for both Pflaumer and its customers. As a result, Pflaumer has become one of the fastest-growing manufacturers of specialty chemicals worldwide.

holiday party - november 2024

The MNYCA Holiday Party November 21,2024 an early kick off to the holiday season, was held a new venue The Liberty House – Jersey City, NJ

The venue had a beautiful view of the New York Skyline and the Statue of Liberty, which is one of the reasons we picked the venue. unfortunately, it was the first day of rain in 2 and half months.

Everyone enjoyed drinks, appetizers and great conversation with over 40 Company members registered. We then moved to the grand ballroom for a delightful dinner followed by service and achievement awards. The association also made an acknowledgement to Nick DiGennaro from MUNZING, also a past president and board member.

A very heartfully acknowledgement was made to Rick Mazzariello as he starts his retirement. Rick will be missed at MNYCA, past president, board member and our Bi-Law Guru…

Table #7 was the luck table to be at as all 3 of the 50/50 winners came from that table. Our 50/50 supports our scholarships every year.

paint pioneer awards

Presentation by Dave White, Pan Technology

25 Years - Philip Befumo - President of UMC

25 Years - James Gardner – Purchasing Manager for Pflaumer Brothers

40 Years - Shichiu Kwan – Market Application Leader for Shamrock Technology

50 Years - Frank Winkelman – Regulatory Mgr. - Modern Recreational Technologies Inc

service awards

Presented by Tom Daquila, Eagle Sales

Merit Citation – John Messina

Merit Citation – Thomas Penny

President’s Achievement – Kurt Maas

outstanding recognitions

Presentation by Alicia Colacci, MUNZING and Tom Daquila, Eagle Sales

Company of the Year – Pflaumer Brothers

David H Litter – Distinguished Service Award – John Kehmna, Univar Solutions

John Messina presented Alicia Colacci the Gavel, as the outgoing president.

welcome our newest members to mnyca

We would like to welcome again our newest member companies to the MNYCA. As you attend our upcoming events, such as the Eastern Coatings Show or the Annual meeting, please make it a point to introduce yourself and your company to the new members!

Micro Powders, Inc. Christopher Niblock Tarrytown, NY

mnyca employment committee

The MNYCA provides an opportunity for member companies to post links to your company job board on the MNYCA website. Several companies have already taken advantage of this benefit of membership. We encourage all our member companies to post a link to their jobs page as part of their recruitment strategy. Please send your requests to patty.paletto@mnyca.org

If you have any employees who are need of new employment, we encourage them to send their resumes to: patty.paletto@mnyca.org MNYCA aids in placing people with member companies looking to fill open positions.

In addition to this service, MNYCA is working to make our industry more visible to local colleges and universities and encouraging new graduates to consider the coatings industry as a career.

If your company would like to be more involved, please contact Bob Whiteley at rwhiteley@jns-smithchem.com

calendar of events

Eastern Coatings Show 2025

May 13-15, 2025

Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, NJ

Annual Meeting

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Cocktail Party

Macaluso’s, 55 4th Ave., Hawthorne, NJ

MNYCA Golf Outing

Thursday, June 12, 2025

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth, NJ

Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

6:00 PM - 10:00 pm

Liberty House, 76 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, NJ

Connect with MNYCA on Linked-In:

Connect with MNYCA on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6531944/

News 'N Views - October 2024

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

• Fall forum

• family day at the ballpark

• member spotlight

• welcome new members

• 2024 mnyca golf outing

• MNYCA EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

• CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

John Messina, MNYCA President

MNYCA members,

The year seems to be flying by as autumn is already upon us. My first three months as MNYCA president has also gone by quickly. In this time, I have enjoyed working with other Board members to achieve our core goals while also looking for ways to build and grow as an association. It has also been a pleasure connecting with all the great people who help to make the MNYCA a success…our members!

Over the summer, we held two great events. Our annual golf outing at Neshanic Valley Golf Course and our family friendly day of baseball at TD Bank Ballpark. Both events afforded attendees a chance to unwind and have some fun and socialize with fellow members.

Looking ahead, I am excited that we will be returning to live forums with our first slated for Thursday, October 17th. This is a valuable opportunity for members and non-members to gain knowledge from industry experts and share their insights and experiences. On November 21st, we will have our annual holiday party at the Liberty House in Jersey City. This beautiful venue with views of NYC will surely make for a lovely evening. I hope to see you at both events.

I’m looking forward to continuing in my role as president and working together to ensure that the MNYCA remains a beneficial association for all. I encourage everyone to be active members and participate in our events as this is vital in keeping the association healthy. Thank you again for your continued support.

Kind regards,

John Messina, President MNYCA

fall forum

beyond pfas: exploring new chemistries and alternatives for formula optimization

Don’t miss the upcoming event on Thursday, October 17th at 3 PM!

The presentation will explore the use of fluoropolymer and micro-powder additives, particularly PTFE micro-powder, in various applications. Due to concerns about PFAS content, the presentations will focus on current regulations and the search for non-PFAS alternatives like basic waxes and alloy waxes. Furthermore, the use of PFAS in paints and coatings will be explored, highlighting the need for replacement strategies. Emphasized will be the importance of managing expectations and considering different chemistries and test methods to achieve desired performance properties.

Hilton Meadowlands Hotel, Thursday, October 17, 2024 - 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (cocktail/hors d’oeuvres at 5:00 PM)

speakers:

DR. HYUNSEOG KIM, TECHNICAL SERVICE GROUP MANAGER SHAMROCK TECHNOLOGIES

Dr. Kim joined Shamrock Technologies, a leading manufacturer of micronized performance additives, in 2001. He has more than 30+ years of experience in polymer research from Sogang University in Seoul, Korea; Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. At ISU and RPI, he served as a visiting scholar in the position of Research Associate in the Materials Science and Engineering Department's polymer processing laboratory.

Dr. Kim earned his bachelor, master, and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Sogang University, Seoul, Korea in 1988, 1990 and 1997, respectively.

KELLY CARLUCCIO, APPLICATIONS CHEMIST II MUNZING NORTH AMERICA

Ms. Carluccio has been with MÜNZING since 2019. Prior to her current role, she worked in the inks and coatings industries as a polymer R&D chemist, analytical chemist, and regulatory specialist which provided a strong foundation in both the technical and regulatory aspects of the field. She has extensive knowledge of additives for waterborne coatings and experience in applications testing and troubleshooting, product development, and technical customer support.

FAMILY DAY AT THE BALLPARK

TD BANK BALLPARK, BRIDGEWATER, NJ

On July 24th, the MNYCA held an afternoon of baseball at TD Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ. Many MNYCA members brought their families interns, and guests to cheer on the teams and socialized. It was a beautiful sunny day that was enjoyed by all.

The home team, the Somerset Patriots, secured the win in extra innings, 12 innings to be exact. We had a visit in our private area from Sparky, the team’s mascot. All attendees went home with a MNYCA goody bag.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. is a leading supplier of high-quality silica products, playing a crucial role in the paints and coatings industry. With over a century of experience, the company blends innovation and quality to deliver essential materials that enhance product performance, durability, and aesthetics.

In the late 1800s, pioneer Henry Harrison Hunter mined and processed his first sand sample by hand near Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Hunter entered this sand sample in the Chicago World's Fair. He won a blue ribbon and the medal of excellence for the sand's purity. A small plant was built to mine the deposit to produce silica sand for glass manufacturing.

The company as it exists today has undergone many developments over the years, including the merging of the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation and Ottawa Silica Company to form what is now known as U.S. Silica Company. Today, they have more than 27 production facilities across the country. They upgrade their plants and equipment regularly, and invest in their employees to ensure that their knowledge base remains state-of-the-art.

In April 2024, U.S. Silica entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Apollo Funds for $1.85 Billion.

US Silica’s key product offerings for the paint and coatings market include Min-U-Sil® ground silica, which is used as a filler to improve texture, bulk, and coverage in various paint formulations and our Celatom® diatomaceous earth and perlite products that offer exceptional performance as matting agents and fillers, enhancing texture and providing ideal finish in paints.

U.S. Silica’s newest product, Everwhite® Pigment, is a highly refined silica-based mineral that increases the opacity and whiteness of paints, resulting in better color retention and a more vibrant finish. It serves as a novel alternative for other inorganic white pigments, such as titanium dioxide.

As a global industrial mineral supplier, U.S. Silica is committed to partnering with customers to help them achieve their goals while offering tailored logistics solutions. With a strong R&D focus, U.S. Silica continually develops advanced silica solutions specifically for the paints and coatings market. By collaborating with industry partners, we strive to address evolving customer needs and trends, including eco-friendly formulations.

As demand for innovative and sustainable paints and coatings continues to grow, U.S. Silica is well-positioned to lead the industry. The company's dedication to quality, sustainability, and innovation ensures it remains a trusted partner, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

welcome our newest members to mnyca

We would like to welcome again our newest member companies to the MNYCA. As you attend our upcoming events, such as the fall forum or the holiday party, please make it a point to introduce yourself and your company to the new members!

Momentive Performance Materials

Robert Schmeltzer

Pearl River, NY

National Packaging Services

Michael Verzaleno

Secaucus, NJ

Elementis

Chris Sieto

East Windsor, NJ

Grain Processing Corporation

Matteo Riello

Ewing, NJ

2024 MNYCA Golf Outing

The MNYCA annual golf outing was held on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024!

The over 90-degree temperature matched the number of golfers that participated. The day started off with scrumptious lunch. We watched Carlos Aponte from EP Minerals win our Putting Green contest sponsored by Eagle Specialty Products.

Golf kicked off at 1:00 pm, the heat didn’t stop anyone everyone from playing a good game.

First place team: National Packaging Services (one of our newest members of MNYCA) – Nick Cerilli / Kyle Lisa / Chris Mcllvaine / Steve Schock.

Second place team: Univar Solutions / BASF - John Kehmna / Dave Penichter and Jarrett Russell

Additional contest winners: Closest to the pin- Paul Freitas - Gotham Ink Longest Drive – Nick Cerilli - National Packaging Services

We concluded the day with good conversations, awards, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and dinner. If you were unable to make it this year hope to see you next year.

MNYCA EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

MNYCA provides an opportunity for member companies to post links to your company job board on the MNYCA website. Several have already taken advantage of this benefit of membership. We encourage all our member companies to post a link to their jobs page as part of their recruitment strategy. Please send your requests to patty.paletto@mnyca.org.

If you have any employees who are need of new employment, we encourage them to send their resume to patty.paletto@mnyca.org. MNYCA aids in placing people with member companies looking to fill open positions.

In addition to this service, MNYCA is working to make our industry more visible to local colleges and universities and encouraging new graduates to consider the Coatings industry as a career.

If your company would like to be more involved, please contact Bob Whiteley at rwhiteley@jns-smithchem.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Fall Forum Thursday, October 17th, 2024 Hilton Meadowlands Hotel & Convention Center 2 Meadowlands Plaza, East Rutherford, NJ 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. .

MNYCA Holiday Party Thursday, November 21st, 2024 Liberty House 76 Audry Zapp Dr, Liberty State Park, NJ 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Please reach out to Patty with any questions: Patty.Paletto@mnyca.org

Connect with MNYCA on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6531944/

News 'N Views - June 2024

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

• 2024 annual meeting

• ANNUAL MEETING

• mnyca SCHOLARSHIP awards 2024

• family dat at the ballpark

• american coatings show + conference

• MEMBER SPOTLIGHTs

• welcome new members

• 2024 mnyca golf outing

• MNYCA EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

• CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Alicia Colacci, MNYCA President

‘WITH A RICH HISTORY AND A BRIGHT FUTURE’

MNYCA members,

We have reached the end of the executive board’s current term. While the year seemed to fly by, I believe we made progress setting goals for future association initiatives. This year we have been hard at work trying to ensure a bright future for the organization and we are off to a good start.

The website has been revamped and updated frequently along with more consistent use of LinkedIn to share communications with the paints and coatings community overall. Plans are underway to return to live technical forums, among other events and ways to network with our members.

The annual meeting was held at The Highlawn, West Orange, NJ on May 15th where the new board slate for 2024-2025 was presented to the members. I am happy to say that it consists of longstanding members as well as new members, who can share some new insights. I have no doubt that under the leadership of our incoming president, John Messina, this organization will continue to thrive. He brings a refreshing perspective that will surely guide us to even greater heights.

Already scheduled for 2024 is the golf outing at Neshanic Valley on June 18th and a family day of Patriots Baseball on July 24th, along with a beautiful new venue for the Holiday Party, at the Liberty House in Jersey City on November 21st, 2024.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to our board members, whose tireless efforts provided invaluable guidance and support. A special thank you goes out to our dedicated members who actively participated in events, volunteered their time, and shared their ideas. It has been an honor to serve as President and I look forward to remaining involved and supporting the MNYCA as Chairman.

The association thrives on your active participation. Let us continue this momentum and make an even greater impact!

Warm regards,

Alicia Colacci, President MNYCA

2024 Annual meeting

This year’s annual meeting was held on May 15th at the Highlawn in West Orange NJ. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour followed by the annual meeting, and then a delicious dinner and dessert were served. Scholarship awards were presented. The new board slate for 2024-2025 was also presented to the members. It was a great night catching up and enjoying time with friends in the industry!

MNYCA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

MNYCA Scholarships - 2024

MNYCA is proud to announce our 2024 scholarship winners.

Each winner was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The Michael A. Granito Memorial Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who are either entering into college or a trade school. The MNYCA Scholarship for College Students is for matriculating students. They are entitled to receive this one time.

Michael A. Granito Memorial Scholarship Award:

Daniella Penny

Daughter of Tom Penny, Senior R&D Group Manager at Benjamin Moore in Flanders, NJ. She has been accepted to Drew, Quinnipiac, Hofstra, and Manhattan College and is looking to work in the field of Anthropology.

Jasmine Mudhar

Daughter of Rajinder Mudhar, Microbiologist at Arxada in Florham Park, NJ. She is looking to do an undergraduate technical degree and eventually go to medical school. She has been accepted to Case Western Reserve, Temple, and NJIT.

Sydney Lesniewski

Daughter of Stan Lesniewski, President of Synray in Kenilworth, NJ. She is interested in world travel and plans to major in International Business. She has been accepted to The University of Delaware, University of Rhode Island, and George Washington University.

MNYCA Scholarship for College Students:

Evan Grskovic

Son of Daniel Grskovic, President of WAB US Corp in Allendale, NJ. He is studying Business at Rutgers Business School in New Brunswick and is looking to go into Supply Chain Management. He is currently on the Dean’s list with a 3.6 GPA.

Skylar Sturniolo

Daughter of Charles Dicomo, Colorants Business Manager at UMC in Lyndhurst, NJ. She is in her third year studying Nursing at Quinnipiac University and was on the Dean’s list in her freshman and sophomore years.

Family Day at the Ball Park

July 24th, 2024 – 11 AM

TD Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater, NJ

Somerset Patriots v. Portland Sea Dogs! July 24, 2024 Diamond Club Buffet 11:00 am – 1:00 pm First Pitch 11:05 AM

The MNYCA is again holding the Family Day at the Ball Park event. It is a great time to not only mingle with fellow industry colleagues, but also to bring the whole family to the park. TD Bank Ballpark is family-friendly and affordable! Last year was a success and still talked about by attendees!

american coatings show + conference

From Coatings World:

As the 2024 American Coatings Show and Conference came to a close, show organizers, attendees and exhibitors reported that for the most part, the show was a success.

The show, which is coordinated by AC Media, in collaboration with the American Coatings Association (ACA) and Vincentz Network, ran from April 30-May 2 at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Show organizers reported that there were 588 exhibitors spread over 138,800 square feet of exhibit space. All total, there were more than 9,000 total participants, including exhibitors and conference attendees.

The concurrent American Coatings Conference (ACC) featured 96 selected presentations, clustered in 16 sessions. The ACA reported that the conference drew 931 attendees from 29 countries. Click for full article in Coatings World

Scenes from the 2024 American Coatings Show:

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Paint Over Rust Products, LLC (P.O.R. Products) 100 Years Strong

P.O.R. Products is a leader in rust preventive and metal specialty coatings. It was founded in 1923 by Mort Rosenthal and Jim Ledwith, using the descriptive name Woodfinishing Products Inc. It was based in Hunts Point, a section of the Bronx, NY, and quickly moved to a larger facility in the East Bronx. The primary product was shellac, sold under the Absolute brand name, used for priming walls and finishing hardwood floors. Most of the products were sold directly to paint and hardware stores in the metro New York area. Through the 1920s and 1930s the company focused on catering to a large market for shellac that existed before the introduction of alkyd paints. In the 1930s, Woodfinishing Products expanded their reach by hiring reps in other states and grew sales across the United States, despite the challenges of the depression and limited growth. During the 1940s the company was classified as an essential industry during WWII. Shellac was used by the government in large quantities as a waterproofing agent on canvas field tents and as an indicator on munitions.

After the war and into the late 50s the market for shellac was slowing. Alkyd wall primers were growing and showed improved performance in many areas and hurt shellac sales. Woodfinishing Products aggressively moved into a twostep distribution model and working with buying groups. This tactic worked well and showed another avenue of growth for the company and set the path for its selling strategy for years to come. They also entered the private label market through relationships with The Sherwin Williams Co. and Sears Roebuck.

By the mid 1960s, Woodfinishing Products was one of the first companies to market polyurethane varnish as a new and very effective way to protect wood floors. The success of Last-n-Last became widely brand recognized across the United States. Eventually the company discontinued shellac and focused on polyurethane based chemistry. The company name changed to Absolute Coatings to better express the direction of the company and product portfolio.

In the 1990s, the company moved to a larger facility in New Rochelle, NY, with 50,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and office space on two acres of land. At that time Absolute Coatings became the toll producer of POR-15, a specialty paint designed to protect rusted metal surfaces, marketed to automotive customers as a restoration and corrosion prevention coating. POR-15 has grown to become a leader in the restoration market.

In 2016, the wood flooring side of the business was sold, along with the Absolute Coatings brand name. The company was renamed Paint Over Rust Products, LLC (P.O.R. Products) to reflect its focus on specialty metal coatings for heavy industrial equipment, agricultural machines, and automotive restorations around the world. The company continues to adapt to changing markets by increasing its sales reach to Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East, and recently has launched its Auto Refinish division American Icon Finishes brand, focusing on clear coats and primers for the automotive refinish market.

In 2021 after 98 years of family ownership, the company was sold to H.I.G. Capital and became a subsidiary of Recochem out of Montreal Canada.

In 2023, the company celebrated its 100th year as a coating manufacturer in the metro New York area. It remains proud to continue the traditions laid out by its founders and provide world-class products for its customers.

welcome our newest members to mnyca

We would like to welcome our newest member companies to the MNYCA. As you attend our upcoming events, such as the Annual Meeting, the Golf Outing or the ACS, please make it a point to introduce yourself and your company to the new members.

Momentive Performance Materials

Robert Schmeltzer

Pearl River, NY

National Packaging Services

Michael Verzaleno

Secaucus, NJ

Elementis

Chris Sieto

East Windsor, NJ

Grain Processing Corporation

Matteo Riello

Ewing, NJ

2024 MNYCA Golf Outing

The MNYCA annual golf outing is coming up quickly on:

Tuesday, June 18th, 2024! The outing will be held at the Neshanic Valley Golf course in Branchburg, NJ.

AGENDA

Registration Opens - 11 AM

Lunch Buffet – 11:30 AM

Shot Gun Start – 1 PM

Reception, Awards, Prizes – 6 PM

MNYCA EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

MNYCA provides an opportunity for member companies to post links to your company job board on the MNYCA website. Several have already taken advantage of this benefit of membership. We encourage all our member companies to post a link to their jobs page as part of their recruitment strategy. Please send your requests to patty.paletto@mnyca.org.

If you have any employees who are need of new employment, we encourage them to send their resume to patty.paletto@mnyca.org. MNYCA aids in placing people with member companies looking to fill open positions.

In addition to this service, MNYCA is working to make our industry more visible to local colleges and universities and encouraging new graduates to consider the Coatings industry as a career.

If your company would like to be more involved, please contact Bob Whiteley at rwhiteley@jns-smithchem.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Golf Outing -Tuesday - June 18th, 2024 Neshanic Valley Golf Course, 2301 South Branch Rd, Neshanic Station, NJ 08853 Agenda: Registration opens 11 a.m. Lunch Buffet 11:30 a.m. Shot gun start 1:00 p.m. Reception 6:00 p.m.

Family Day at the Ball Park Wednesday, July 24th at TD Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater, NJ Somerset Patriots v. Portland Sea Dogs Diamond Club Buffet 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. First Pitch 11:05 a.m.

MNYCA Holiday Party Thursday, November 21st, 2024 Liberty House 76 Audry Zapp Dr, Liberty State Park, NJ 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Please reach out to Patty with any questions: Patty.Paletto@mnyca.org

Connect with MNYCA on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6531944/