18 Spray March 2019
natural ‘Green chemistry’
materials such as cocoa
oil and corn syrup,” she
continued. “The active
components have wetting
and detergency capabilities
with some corrosion inhibiting properties. Cortec Spray Technologies
packages the product in an eco-friendly air-powered bag-onvalve
(BOV) spray. The cleaner can be sprayed onto soiled surfaces
to gently clean dirt, soil, dust, debris, and mold/mildew stains
from wood, metal, plastics and other hard surfaces.”
In August, Cortec announced its release of EcoLine ELP, a
soy-based aerosol product with extreme lubrication properties
for general maintenance needs, such as lubricating moving parts,
loosening rusty bolts or cooling/lubricating basic metal cutting
operations.
In October, Cortec officially released EcoAir Biobased CLP,
a canola-oil based CLP (clean, lubricate, protect) material in an
air-powered spray can. It contains 89% USDA certified bio-based
content and can be used for many general maintenance functions
such as loosening rusted parts and protecting equipment components
from wear and corrosion.
“Cortec has a strong interest in offering a variety of sustainable
product solutions to customers and is proud to be able to reflect
that environmental consciousness in several of its spray can offerings
this past year,” concluded Holmquist.
Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., the maker of Coleman insect repellents
and first aid, purchased the assets of Premier Filling Co.
Inc. based in Geneva, IL. The acquisition brought Bag-on-Valve
(BOV) continuous spray product manufacturing capabilities to the
Jackson, WI-based company. Wisconsin Pharmacal currently offers
Deet BOV under its Coleman brand and plans to expand BOV
technology in its MG217 line of psoriasis and eczema treatment
products.
According to Ryan Montgomery, Director, Sales & Marketing,
Aerofil Technology, Inc., Sullivan, MO, in 2019, the company
will introduce its eighth aerosol line. Aerosol Line 8 will be a fully
automated, high-speed aerosol filling line specializing in personal
care products. It will feature aluminum can handling, labeling and
bundling capabilities at speeds in excess of 200 cans per minute.
Additionally, Aerofil will invest a significant amount of capital in
2019 to further upgrade and automate its Liquid Line 4 with a
new filler and trigger inserter.
“With the dramatic rise of prices due to new regulations in
the trucking industry, Aerofil has allocated significant capital to
implement a Direct Ship program, with end-to-end supply chain
management to retailers’ distribution centers to eliminate the need
for their customers to maintain their own distribution centers,”
explained Montgomery. “Eliminating a touch-point in the supply
chain represents significant savings and value for customers.”
Aerofil is actively evaluating acquisition opportunities to expand
its footprint in the aerosol and liquid filling market, he also noted.
Employees at two manufacturing plants staffed by Lighthouse
for the Blind-Saint Louis (also known as LHB Industries), St.
Louis, MO, achieved a safety milestone in August by celebrating 10
years without any lost-time injuries. Among other manufacturing,
LHB is a filler of aerosol insecticide, industrial and paint products.
“Few manufacturing operations can claim 10 continuous years
without any lost-time injuries much less one whose direct labor
force is predominantly comprised of employees who are legally
blind—96% of our employees to be exact,” said John Thompson,
President of Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis. The not-forprofit
manufacturing and packaging organization with a dedicated
social service mission employs 48 individuals who are legally blind.
“Achieving this impressive milestone reflects our employees’
skill and commitment to maintaining safe and productive work
environments,” Thompson added. “It reflects the success of our
continuous safety training programs and precautionary activities.”
To recognize their safety achievement, all LHB employees received
a personalized gift and participated in a “safety recognition
ceremony” at their manufacturing plants. Over the last 10 years,
LHB has upgraded machine guard safety rails on many pieces of
equipment and supervisors have implemented advanced precautionary
measures.
“Whenever a minor work injury has occurred, we have conducted
a safety refresher meeting,” noted Clint Cruse, VP of
Manufacturing. “Safety Committees at the Trenton and Berkeley
plants routinely inspect equipment, systems and processes for any
areas of potential concern in order to sustain a safe work place for
all employees and visitors. Our uncompromising commitment to
safety resonates loud and clear with our many customers including
government, military and business organizations, as well as
consumers.”
Spray Products Corp., manufacturer of aerosol and liquid consumer
products, has officially taken ownership of a 270,000 sq-ft
facility in Medina, OH. The addition of the site will help increase
the company’s blending and filling capabilities for consumer and
commercial products including paints, coatings, adhesives, lubricants,
and automotive products. Spray Products plans to have its
distribution functions in operation by early April, with manufacturing
set to start in mid-May. The new location is at the former
site of Valspar subsidiary Plasti-Kote, also an aerosol manufacturer.
Valspar closed in 2016 and the building was later purchased
by Sherwin-Williams Co.
“Contract manufacturing is an ever-changing world within
itself,” noted Jim Mercer, COO, Cross Brands, Rockledge, FL.
“Every client and project is unique. One challenge is to be consistent
enough to follow our processes and procedures, yet adaptable
enough to adjust to our clients’ needs.”
Mercer explained that while Cross Brands’ strength is in the
Sun Care industry, it has had the opportunity to service clients
in the Hair Care, Skin Care and Men’s Grooming sectors of the
industry. Cross Brands offers its clients the opportunity to own
their formulas at a reasonable rate by buying them upfront, along
with a full turnkey of services including testing, mixing, filling and
even R&D.
“The Sun Care industry was hit the hardest in 2018, by needing
to fill and provide new formulation services for a reef-friendly
Expansion,
Acquisition
& Safety…
Sea & Ski is an aerosol brand from Cross Brands