Seen and Solved by Hubbard-Hall

In this episode of Seen & Solved , host Tim Pennington sits down with cold forming expert Dan Curtin to break down the fundamentals of cold forming—what it is, why it’s essential, and how the right lubricants can optimize efficiency and reduce costs. They explore how metals like steel, aluminum, and brass are reshaped under extreme pressure, the role of lubricants in reducing wear and extendin...

In this episode of Seen & Solved, guests Robin Deal and Brooks Magnowski highlight one of the most pressing issues in the finishing industry—PFAS. Robin shares the challenges faced by the metal finishing industry when it comes to understanding and managing PFAS contamination, highlighting the difficulty in finding labs that can provide timely testing. Brooks explains how FREDsense is working t...

In this episode of Seen and Solved , host Tim Pennington sits down with Jeff Davis, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Distribution at Hubbard-Hall, to discuss the evolving landscape of solvent regulations. With new EPA restrictions coming into effect, manufacturers must navigate a shifting regulatory environment that impacts vapor degreasing and solvent-based cleaning processes. Je...

In the final episode of this 3-part Seen & Solved series, Plating Perfectionist Randy DiSano explores the challenges of plating on copper alloys, a task that often proves difficult for even seasoned finishers. Randy explains the difficulties posed by oxide layers, trapped lubricants, and the specific steps needed to prepare brass and beryllium copper for electroless nickel plating. Drawing fro...

In Part 2 of the Seen & Solved series, Randy DiSano tackles a recurring challenge for TriChrome finishers. He shares his firsthand experience helping a customer resolve a major issue: a contaminated bath that led to thin, dark deposits and brought production to a grinding halt. From diagnosing the presence of hexavalent chrome to explaining how worn anodes can create costly disruptions, Randy...

In the first episode of this 3-part Seen & Solved series, Metal Mastermind Randy DiSano shares his experience addressing a challenging issue: helping a customer resolve failing salt spray tests on heat-treated forgings. He shares a story about helping a customer overcome a common but perplexing issue: failing salt spray tests on heat-treated forgings. Despite appearances, the problem turned ou...

In this episode of Seen and Solved , host Tim Pennington dives into the essential topic of education for wastewater operators and managers with guests Robin Deal and Jeremy Morgan. Together, they explore the unique challenges faced by operators in metal finishing shops, often tasked with managing wastewater treatment alongside other responsibilities. The conversation covers varying licensing requi...

In this special Year in Review episode of Seen & Solved, host Tim Pennington revisits the standout conversations that defined 2024. This season explored trusted cleaning chemistries, advanced plating techniques, sustainable remanufacturing, and actionable strategies for managing PFAS challenges. From inspiring customer success stories to celebrating 175 years of Hubbard-Hall, the expertise sha...

In this milestone episode of Seen and Solved , we’re celebrating 175 years of Hubbard-Hall with a deep dive into the company’s rich history, future vision, and enduring values. Join host Tim Pennington as he sits down with Molly Kellogg, Hubbard-Hall’s President, CEO, and Chairman, and the sixth-generation leader of this family-owned chemical manufacturing company. Molly shares her unique path fro...

In this episode of Seen & Solved , Robert Gardner, International Sales Director at Hubbard-Hall, discusses a groundbreaking project in Asia. This project involved implementing Hubbard-Hall's AquaEase Infinity technology to solve a critical issue for a customer. The episode highlights a real-world example in South Asia, where a client faced high shipping and disposal costs for their used cleane...

In this episode of Seen & Solved , Stewart Holloway, Senior Account Manager at Hubbard-Hall, discusses how he and his team tackled a cleaning issue at a high-volume plating facility. Faced with significantly reduced cleaner life on one of their zinc alloy plating lines, Hubbard-Hall was called in to resolve the issue. Stewart explains the problem, outlines the steps taken using the one-page sa...

In this episode Robin Deal, also known as the "Wastewater Whisperer," discusses one of the most pressing issues facing the finishing industry: PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Robin sheds light on why PFAS are so difficult to remove from wastewater and what manufacturers and municipalities are doing to address these “forever chemicals.” From PFAS contamination in drinking water to the...

Fernando Carminholi, Business Development Manager, explains one of our favorite innovative approaches to reduce chemical consumption and overall costs in the surface finishing industry. Learn how Aquaease Infinity, a metallic membrane for filtering emulsified oils, alleviates manufacturers' common pain points. Key topics: • How membrane filtration works for industrial cleaning • Benefits of pa...

In this episode of Seen and Solved, Scott Papst, Senior Vice President of Specialty Sales and Business Development, gives a candid look at how technology is reshaping the metal finishing landscape. Scott breaks down the real-world impacts of AI, advanced communication tools, and new sales strategies—offering insights on what it takes to keep up in an evolving market. With over 30 years of experien...

In this episode of Seen & Solved, Jason Potts, Product Manager for Northeast Metal Finishing at Hubbard-Hall, shares his 30 years of hands-on experience in electroless nickel plating. He breaks down the key differences between low, mid, and high-phosphorus electroless nickel baths, their unique advantages, and the challenges they present, such as roughness, slow plating rates, and bath imbalan...

In this episode, Jameson Grout, Account Manager at Hubbard-Hall, unravels the complexities of the woods nickel strike process, spotlighting common issues and their effective solutions. From understanding the pivotal role of strike tanks in adhesion and contaminant management to recognizing failure signs and implementing preventative measures, Jameson delivers practical advice drawn from real-world...

Join us for another exciting episode of Seen & Solved, where host Tim Pennington sits down with Katherine Kiebowicz, Hubbard-Hall’s VP of Data Strategy. Katherine shares her incredible journey, from starting as a summer intern in 1998 to leading the company's digital transformation. In this episode, discover how Hubbard-Hall is embracing technology to become a digital leader in the metal f...

In this episode, Jeff Davis, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Distribution at Hubbard-Hall, explores the concept of remanufacturing. Discover why this sustainable practice is gaining traction across industries like automotive, aerospace, and military, and how it goes beyond simple recycling to restore end-of-life components to like-new quality. Jeff shares valuable insights into t...

In this episode, we explore the basics of zirconium conversion coatings and its evolution, highlighting their role as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional iron and zinc phosphates. We explore the environmental and cost benefits of zirconium coatings, demonstrating how they can help businesses reduce waste, save on disposal costs, and operate at ambient temperatures, thus cutting...

In this episode of the Seen & Solved podcast, Robin Deal, AquaPure Product Manager, discusses common red flags and why it’s crucial to future-proof your infrastructure. Key Indicators: Frequent Flooding: Excess water overwhelms the system, causing spills and potential safety hazards. System Overflows: Tanks and flow capacities are maxed out, leading to untreated wastewater escaping. Inadequate...

In this episode of the Seen & Solved, Director of Technology Mike Valenti, let’s us in on his “Hero Product” – AquaEase PL 72 A32.  This product’s superpower is its ability to swiftly address customer needs, without necessitating extensive testing. Aquaease PL 72 A32 is a versatile aqueous cleaner that is particularly effective for cleaning aluminum and non-ferrous metals. Its mild pH ensures...

In this episode of Seen and Solved, Mike Valenti, Director of Technology,  takes on the paradigm shift that manufacturers are facing in moving from plastic packaging to aluminum packaging, to reduce the microplastics polluting the ocean. He explains how cleanliness and adhesion properties are essential and that the traditional cleaning process involves heavy-duty caustic cleaners and their challen...

Aquastrip 1200 is a powerhouse chemistry for removing paint, E-coat, wet paint, and powder coating. Connor Callais, Product Manager, explains its unique biphasic composition, combining aqueous caustic and organic packages to break down paint effectively. Aquastrip 1200's fast-acting nature is capable of stripping paint in approximately 20 minutes per layer!

The discussion covers: The unique complexities of EN plating compared to other processes Crucial factors in EN tank design and common design flaws Operator errors that can sabotage an EN plating line Tips and strategies for troubleshooting EN plating issue Whether you're new to EN plating or a seasoned professional, this podcast episode will provide valuable insights and practical advice for m...

In this episode of the Seen & Solved, Connor Callais, Product Manager, sheds light on why MetalGuard 560 is a superhero for industrial applications – prioritizing performance and aesthetics.  This rust preventative is renowned for its effectiveness in combating corrosion, especially on black oxide surfaces. Metal Guard 560 boasts superior corrosion protection, meeting various MIL specs and fin...