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Real turn key solution for zinc phos and soap

Hello,

We are a contract manufacturer interested in the application of zinc phosphate and soap to our wire products. Can you recommend a 'turn key' provider of the tanks/solutions/robotics to properly treat 3-4 million pounds of carbon metal stampings/springs annually? I have literally searched through dozens of supplier websites, but have not found a business which would truly bring this project to a successful completion.

John B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Contract manufacturer metal components - Spring Grove, Illinois, USA
2004

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April 9, 2008

Hi, John. As a metal finishing equipment engineer employed by three major OEMS in my career, and then a consulting engineer handling large capital projects for decades, I will tell you that you probably will not find what you are looking for.

The reason is that the equipment (tanks/robotics) is a one-time purchase, whereas the chemistry (solutions) is a proprietary continuing business and far, far bigger. So the equipment suppliers have no real pull with the chemical vendors, have no control over the chemistry, are not even privy to what the proprietaries are, and simply cannot guarantee performance -- all they can guarantee is the equipment. A few of the large chemical suppliers did try running equipment businesses a couple of decades ago, but it was a marriage made in hell, and I believe that there are few if any that do anymore. Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey