Episode 64: An Interview With Brandon Acker, Titan Abrasive Systems
On the Line
Kicking off 2026, PF explores some of the latest trends in media blasting and surface prep. Brandon Acker, president of (Ivy, Pennsylvania), a manufacturer of media blasting equipment and custom engineered blast rooms, took some time to sit down with us and talk through the latest.
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Episode 63: An Interview With Brad Durkin, Electroless Nickel Conference
On the Line
In this installment of Products Finishing’s On the Line, we explore trends in electroless nickel (EN) plating, including hybrid applications in an interview with Brad Durkin, conference director for the Electroless Nickel Conference (ENC), which was recently held in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the third year for the event since its revival after a decade-long hiatus. ENC’s growing success underscores the growing relevance of EN plating in today’s advanced manufacturing landscape. In this interview, Durkin discusses trends and topics at the forefront of this year’s ENC, as well as his take...
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Episode 62: On the Line 2025 Year in Review
On the Line
2025 was a challenging year for all of manufacturing, including the surface finishing industry. With economic uncertainty surrounding tariffs, shifts in the regulatory landscape, and the increasing influence of automation solutions, the industry continues to face uncharted territory. In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing looks back at some of its interviews from the year, along with insights from PF brand vice president Todd Luciano. The episode includes excerpts from interviews with the following: John Jenkins, Precision Spray and Coatings Jeff Halonen, Steelhead...
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Episode 61: An Interview With Timothy Gotsick, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions
On the Line
In this installment of On the Line, Products Finishing features a recent interview from the SUR/FIN 2026 surface finishing industry tradeshow where we spoke with Timothy Gotsick, VP of Technology and Innovation for McDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions (Waterbury, Connecticut), about the impact of current regulations and trade policies on the manufacturing industry. Gotsick discusses the shift away from EV manufacturing in the U.S., challenges posed by changing regulations for PFAS and hexavalent chromium, the increasing use of automation and AI in manufacturing, and ongoing challenges in...
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Episode 60: An Interview With Robin Peffer and Jonathan Love, PPG
On the Line
In this installment of On the Line, PF explores use of electrocoat (ecoat) technology for aerospace applications. Two experts from (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) — Robin Peffer, global director of product launch and customer support for aerospace and Jonathan Love, Aerocron commercial support team leader — discuss the use of ecoat technology within the aerospace sector, offer an update on applications where ecoat is currently being used in the market and explain its potential for future aerospace programs and applications.
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Episode 59: An Interview With Jeffrey Halonen, Steelhead Technologies
On the Line
In this installment of On the Line, Products Finishing explores ERP systems, digitization of workflow and automation. At this year’s SUR/FIN surface finishing industry trade show, we had the opportunity to interview Jeffrey Halonen, CEO of (Calumet, Michigan), about the company’s work helping job shops digitize their production.
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Episode 58: An Interview With Douglas Hughes, Ambrose Schaffer; MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions
On the Line
In this latest installment of On the Line, Products Finishing (PF) explores some of the latest trends in electroless nickel (EN) plating, both in terms of challenges as well as innovations and opportunities. At SUR/FIN 2025, PF sat down with two experts from (Waterbury, Connecticut): Douglas Hughes, wear-resistant coatings industry manager and Ambrose Schaefer, global product line manager for EN, to hear their thoughts on this unique area of surface finishing.
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Episode 57: An Interview With John Jenkins, Precision Spray and Coatings
On the Line
The key to staying viable in the face of challenges is diversification. (Houston, Texas) got its start providing thermal spray coatings and has since grown its offerings. In the latest installment of On the Line, the company’s president John Jenkins discusses Precisions’ origins and its expertise in HVOF thermal spray coatings and hard chrome plating for the oil and gas industry, as well as its efforts to diversify into new markets like mining and wastewater. Jenkins recently sat down with us at the SUR/FIN finishing industry trade show to discuss a range of topics including regulatory...
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Episode 56: An Interview With Scott Walker, Products Finishing
On the Line
In this latest installment of On the Line, Products Finishing (PF) takes a look back at the industry’s past in order to look ahead. PF regional vice president Scott Walker discusses his experiences in the finishing industry, beginning with his early involvement with Modern Metals magazine and his transition to PF in 1996. Walker explores some of the industry’s recent history, including improvements brought about by the EPA’s Common Sense initiative, as well as current regulatory pressures regarding hexavalent chromium and PFAS chemistry. As the industry...
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Episode 55: An Interview With Remington Schieffer, American CRS
On the Line
In this latest installment On the Line, Products Finishing delves into the crucial role of rectifiers in the electroplating process and the importance of industry education with a trend toward increasing implementation of automation solutions. Remington Schieffer, vice president of American (Escondido, California), offers his insights.
info_outlineIn 2020, Andrew Kossowski, a former U.S. Air Force officer and seasoned tech entrepreneur, decided to embark on a new adventure. He was drawn to a traditional finishing operation known as DHS Enterprises based in Clearwater, Florida — a business that had built a strong reputation over three decades in specialized metal finishing, offering processes like anodizing, chem film, and passivation. Kossowski sought to revamp the veteran- and minority-owned business as Veterans Metal, a state-of-the-art finishing operation by implementing cutting-edge technology and expanding its service capabilities.
With a background in quality assurance and testing for military aircraft and experience as a telecommunications executive, Kossowski has brought a unique mix of expertise to his new venture over the past four years. In this installment of Products Finishing’s On the Line podcast, we catch up with Kossowski to hear the latest about Veterans Metals’ transformation journey and his vision for the what’s on the horizon for the company.