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New Directors Expand ChemQuest Roster

New Directors Expand ChemQuest Roster

The ChemQuest Group is pleased to announce the addition of three new directors: Bernardo Montes, Ph.D.; Steven (Steve) Roth, Ph.D.; and Richard (Rich) Karpowicz, Ph.D. Montes is a highly accomplished operations management professional with extensive experience driving operational excellence within global organizations across diverse international environments. Roth has built extensive specialty chemicals expertise in a range of sectors, including fine fragrance, home care, coatings, adhesives, and animal feed additives. Karpowicz is a chemist and ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt with four decades of experience in adhesives, tapes, labels, and medical devices.

ChemQuest Growth Trajectory Continues with Three New Directors

ChemQuest Growth Trajectory Continues with Three New Directors

The ChemQuest Group is pleased to announce that three new directors have joined the firm to support ongoing growth: Geoffrey Webster, Ph.D.; Philip Williams; and Paul Bryant. Webster is an accomplished R&D leader who has driven technological innovation, product development, and commercialization initiatives. Located in West Yorkshire, UK, Williams has honed deep expertise in general management and operational excellence. Bryant has been actively involved in the coatings industry for nearly 60 years, working in sales and leadership roles with leading global companies.

ChemQuest Expands Business Development Team with New VP

ChemQuest Expands Business Development Team with New VP

The ChemQuest Group is pleased to announce that Ramki Subramanian, Ph.D., has joined its business development team as a vice president. Subramanian is a dynamic global leader who has spent 30 years developing expertise in technology development/commercialization and business development in the specialty chemicals, advanced materials, and energy sectors. He has considerable experience in championing “concept to commercialization” for new technologies and building new businesses by developing novel technologies, particularly in emerging markets.

Market Reports

U.S. Market Analysis for the Paint & Coatings Industry (2023 – 2028)

US-Market-Analysis

Global Market Analysis for the Paint & Coatings Industry (2024 – 2029)

Global-Market-Analysis

Articles

Mitigating Personnel Challenges through Strategic Partnerships

Personnel roles within specialty chemicals and advanced materials require specialized know-how and skills, making it incredibly difficult to find knowledgeable and experienced people to fill key positions. Unfortunately, not having fully staffed and skilled teams in place jeopardizes your company’s ability to succeed over the long term. How many potentially impactful initiatives have been abandoned due to a lack of internal resources? Too many, without a doubt.

Matching Powder Coatings to End-Use Applications: A Practical Overview

Selecting the correct powder coating for a specific end-use application is critical but can be a mystery to applicators, product developers, and end users due to the variety of chemistries and industry terminology. Gaining a fundamental understanding of why certain powder coatings are used for specific applications can help you make more informed decisions.

Achieving Success through Data-Driven Decision Making

Several variables, including a company’s objectives and the available types and quality of data, affect how precisely data may be incorporated into the decision-making process. Every contemporary company should work to optimize their data-driven decision making to ensure profitable growth.

Mastering Key Performance Indicators for Long-Term Success

Mastering Key Performance Indicators for Long-Term Success

Your company has undoubtedly developed key performance indicators (KPIs) for your operation. Depending on your specific products, facilities, personnel, etc., these KPIs likely focus on areas such as production volume, on-time delivery, production costs, and environmental health and safety (EH&S), among others. KPIs are important gauges of your company’s productivity and efficiency, but simply having KPIs does not guarantee success.

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Mitigating Personnel Challenges through Strategic Partnerships

Mitigating Personnel Challenges through Strategic Partnerships

Personnel roles within specialty chemicals and advanced materials require specialized know-how and skills, making it incredibly difficult to find knowledgeable and experienced people to fill key positions. Unfortunately, not having fully staffed and skilled teams in place jeopardizes your company’s ability to succeed over the long term. How many potentially impactful initiatives have been abandoned due to a lack of internal resources? Too many, without a doubt.

read more
Salt Spray Testing: Dinosaur or Foundational Benchmark?

Salt Spray Testing: Dinosaur or Foundational Benchmark?

First published in 1939, one of the oldest specifications in the Committee D01 arsenal is ASTM B117 Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus. It is still in active use today in a variety of markets to evaluate the comparative durability and performance of substrates in corrosive environments. This is despite some experts suggesting that the test is outdated and convenient rather than scientifically rigorous.

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Powder Coating Nonconductive Substrates

Powder Coating Nonconductive Substrates

Powder coating is traditionally applied electrostatically to a conductive (typically metal) substrate. The charged particles are attracted to the grounded object and uniformly deposited on the surface. However, as low-temperature-cure powder coatings become more available, the possibility of using them for coating a wide variety of heat-sensitive and nonconductive substrates is more of a reality than ever before.

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Navigating the Maze, Part 4: The Final Filter – Using Quantitative Scoring to Prioritize Market Opportunities

Navigating the Maze, Part 4: The Final Filter – Using Quantitative Scoring to Prioritize Market Opportunities

You’ve assembled your interdisciplinary team, assessed market attractiveness and commercial feasibility, and validated technical and manufacturing readiness. Now comes the final step: prioritizing opportunities. When your list of promising projects exceeds your capacity to pursue them all, a structured scoring system ensures objective, data-driven decision making.

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When the Rubber Hits the Road – A Systems Approach to Coating Diamond-Cut Automotive Wheels

When the Rubber Hits the Road – A Systems Approach to Coating Diamond-Cut Automotive Wheels

Diamond-cut wheels are a staple of high-end automobiles due to their aesthetic appeal and performance. The standout aesthetic feature of these wheels is the sharp contrast between the brightly machined aluminum surface and the colored background provided by the basecoat. The coating systems applied to these wheels are critical to their durability, as they must protect the substrate against harsh environments and corrosive materials.

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Newsletters

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – September/October 2025

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – September/October 2025

As we all know, personnel roles within specialty chemicals and advanced materials require specialized know-how and skills. This can make it incredibly difficult to find knowledgeable and experienced people to fill key positions. Compounding the problem is the fact...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – July/August 2025

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – July/August 2025

High inflation and negative economic growth are certainly problematic on a macro level. However, the level of impact that those forces has on your company depends to a large degree on not only your organization’s overall fiscal health but its flexibility. Can you...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – May/June 2025

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – May/June 2025

When faced with uncertainty, many companies choose a “wait and see” approach instead of taking proactive steps to ensure their long-term success. This risk-averse mindset is counterproductive, as inertia not only inhibits your company’s progress but hands your...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – March/April 2025

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – March/April 2025

As widespread U.S. import tariffs become a reality and various international tensions escalate (e.g., Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan), understanding global dynamics is more important than ever when developing effective business strategy. After all, it is...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – January/February 2025

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – January/February 2025

“I didn’t know ChemQuest could do that.” This is a comment I’ve heard from new contacts and existing industry partners alike. They may know us for one or two areas of expertise but are unaware that we routinely support a range of initiatives, often within the same...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – November/December 2024

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – November/December 2024

The higher costs associated with anticipated higher import tariffs are certainly challenging. The question is: What is the best course of action for your business? Numerous supply chain strategies should be at the top of your list for consideration. Could your company...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – September/October 2024

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – September/October 2024

Foreign investment in the U.S. is being increasingly discussed throughout our network. These are complicated undertakings for our clients, requiring deep expertise not only in manufacturing processes but in the specific needs of specialty chemicals and advanced...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – July/August 2024

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – July/August 2024

Business Cycle Analysis is a powerful tool that enables companies to proactively assess the economy, identify trends, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Just as we encourage clients to explore BCA—and we frequently apply the tool in our work on their behalf—I...

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – May/June 2024

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – May/June 2024

Certainly on paper, moving your production may seem like a clear, straightforward solution to numerous operational challenges. In practice, however, the process is extremely complicated with myriad issues that need to be fully considered in order to ensure success....

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The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – March/April 2024

The ChemQuest Group Newsletter – March/April 2024

Although remote communication has become the norm, nothing can replace in-person interactions. The ability to fully articulate ideas and concepts without time constraints, to have spontaneous discussions, to meet unexpected new colleagues – these are just a few of the...

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