True Investment in Infrastructure – It’s Worth the Effort

Posted on September 4, 2012 by induron

By Davies Hood, Induron President

As we approach the November elections in our politically-charged atmosphere, we’ve been hearing a lot about “investing in infrastructure” from one side and “debt reduction” from the other. In this article from Water & Waste Digest magazine, Benjamin Grumbles makes some suggestions that those in power should at least consider.

Although Mr. Grumbles speaks as the president of the Clean Water America Alliance (and when I hear that, I immediately think both “bureaucracy” and “lobbyist”), he writes in favor of such radical ideas as charging customers the true cost of water, promoting public/private partnerships in the water industry, and planning both water and wastewater infrastructure projects as part of the larger integrated community planning process. Not too radical when you think about it, right? Continue reading →

Look for Innovation, and the World Will Beat a Path to Your Door

Posted on August 28, 2012 by induron

By Linc A. York, Induron Sales Rep, Troy, MO

How do you get the world to beat a path to your door? You know the answer – build a better mousetrap.

When I read this article from Coatings Tech magazine online, I thought immediately of this phrase. The “open innovation” approach discussed in this article is a new spin on what I’ve called “building a better mousetrap” in the coatings industry. The authors of the piece emphasize how much competitive advantage is gained when we look outside our own company for the best ideas for new and innovative products and applications.

Before we knew what to call this concept, we were doing it here at Induron. We draw on many sources of information – raw material suppliers, the needs and desires of our customers, new technology we’re seeing in the marketplace, our R&D staff, and of course our sales force – for new product ideas. Then we’re nimble enough to develop, test and launch a product in six to 12 months. Continue reading →

Why is Safety Still an Issue in America?

Posted on August 21, 2012 by induron

A high-rise building under construction in China - all the scaffolding appeared to be made of bamboo.

It’s really pretty hard for me to believe.

Here in the United States, we pride ourselves on safety. At Induron, we have monthly meetings taught by outside professionals on a whole host of safety topics – fire safety, safe practices for lifting with overhead cranes, proper use of respirators, and many, many more. We have regular fire drills, just like my kids do in elementary school! Our government helps reinforce our commitment to safety through OSHA, a federal agency that is becoming even more vigilant in its enforcement of safety rules and regulations. Some in our industry believe recent enforcement actions have stepped over the lines. But you wouldn’t think that industries in this country were in any way lacking in safety practices and oversights, because of agencies like OSHA, educational & training policies like Induron’s, and the industy’s overall improving safety record. Continue reading →

My Knowledge, Your Knowledge

Posted on April 10, 2012 by induron

By Ben Rowland, Induron Sales Rep, Birmingham, AL

As an Induron sales rep, I spend a lot of time honing my knowledge of the industry. Whether I’m attending a continuing education course, getting re-certified in a particular aspect of the industry or working with our Induron chemists to ensure I’m up to date on the latest and greatest products we offer, staying informed on every aspect of the world of coatings is vital to our business… and YOUR success.

I’m not just selling you a product. When you work with Induron, I want to make sure you’re getting the best, most accurate information available to accompany that product. That’s why I stay up to date on new products, new methods of coating, new applications, new industry standards and more. That knowledge helps me better meet my customers’ needs.

When I start a project, I assess the needs of the customer and the specific project. I have to make sure that I’m giving everyone the best information available, and that I’m doing so in a way that has everyone on the same page before a project begins.

When a project gets underway, I make multiple job site visits, answer questions from the owner or engineer, inspect the project, facilitate product orders with the contractor – anything that needs to be done to ensure the project goes smoothly.

Then, during the final inspection, I’m able to certify the finished project, thanks to staying up to date on my certifications through continuing education courses. Continue reading →

65 Years: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Posted on April 3, 2012 by induron

By Davies Hood, Induron Executive VP, Birmingham, AL

Induron celebrates our 65^th anniversary this year. I am beyond proud of this incredible professional AND personal landmark.

Reaching the 65-year mark makes me proud personally because of the success of my predecessors. That’s obviously my dad and granddad, but this anniversary is even more a testament to the management team and staff that’s worked here over the years. From the production crew and sales team, to the chemists, warehouse guys and store workers over the years, there’s a lot to be proud of.

In 1947, when our country was much smaller in population, there were many more paint manufacturers. Several existed in Alabama, and there were several in every major city in the country. Like many things, there’s been consolidation over the years. Even in my 15 years with Induron, I’ve seen significantly fewer small- to medium-size paint manufacturers nationwide.

Induron has stood the test of time because we’ve been flexible enough to adapt our business model to reflect current and changing tastes, but we’ve also consistently run our business with integrity. We treat our customers, employees and suppliers with integrity by doing what we say we’re going to do. We treat everyone with respect, because that’s what we believe in. Continue reading →

Good sentiments about being realistic with energy transmission

Posted on March 6, 2012 by induron

By Dick Belliveau, Induron Sales Rep

Flip a switch and a light goes on, turn up your thermostat and your house gets warm. Magic, right! But how does the energy get from the power plants or oil fields to your home?

Whether it’s a transmission line or a gas and oil pipeline, there’s got to be a way for that energy to reach you – it’s a requirement in today’s world. Sometimes the “old” way that energy is transported, either by pipe lines or power lines, is actually “greener” than the alternative. What do I mean? Conventional means of power transmission actually result in a smaller carbon footprint than shipping, rail and especially trucking. It might seem counterintuitive, but a lot in life is. Continue reading →

Life Cycle Costs Greatly Reduced Using Premium Products

Posted on February 28, 2012 by induron

By Ben Rowland, Induron Sales Representative

In the industrial coatings industry, there are some very well accepted standards and conventional coatings systems for which projects are specified.

Over the years, standards have progressed along with burgeoning technologies. Coatings once thought to be superior at the time of development have been supplanted by newer products for various reasons: some were discovered to contain what are now known to be hazardous materials; some were found to have hazardous emissions during application; while some were simply inferior products to the current ones available. Continue reading →

The Pickering Project

Posted on August 30, 2011 by admin

by Davies Hood, Executive VP, Induron Coatings

The scope of this project consisted of the repainting of both the interior and exterior of a 300,000 gallon elevated wash water tank as well as two large ground storage clearwells owned by Aqua Pennslyvania in Valley Forge, PA. The first of the two ground storage tanks was a 2 million gallon clearwell. Both clearwells are partially buried steel tanks. Continue reading →

The high points of repainting water storage tanks

Posted on July 4, 2011 by admin

by Davies Hood, Executive VP, Induron Coatings

Helping engineers, owners and contractors develop specifications for repainting water storage tanks is a big part of the service we offer here at Induron Coatings. In this month’s MP Materials Performance, a NACE publication, there is an excellent article by Robert Boswell Continue reading →

Preserving the next generation.

Posted on May 23, 2011 by admin

by Davies Hood
Executive VP, Induron Coatings

As the world becomes a continually “greener” place, the industrial coatings market better get on the bus or get left behind. Emerging technologies are proving that lower and zero VOC coatings can perform as well as or even better than their solvent-born predecessors. Continue reading →