LPF High Performance Coatings began as a pioneer in the coatings market in 1959 when its founder became one of the first companies in the U.S. to manufacturer the Teflon® coated frying pan which he marketed under the name the “Happy Pan”.

A little over a half century later, LPF continues to innovate and is co-developing new coating products that will offer game changing efficiencies and value to a number of industries such as our “non-stick coating technology” that has no rival in the marketplace today.

We are pleased to announce the introduction of a new nano-ceramic technology which exibits the non-stick capabilities of fluoropolymers (such as Teflon®), but doesn’t have either the operating or curing temperature limitations of silicones and fluoropolymer products.

Specifically, our new Nano-Ceramic Mold Release coating offers these advantages:

• Highly Cost Effective due to:
  • Ultra-thin film application of 3-5 microns (25 microns equals a “mil”, or 25,400 microns in an inch)
  • 100% Non-Transfer from mold tooling to part (no silicones in our release)
    • Saves on labor & part preparation costs for secondary coatings
  • Quick and easy part removal from the tooling
  • Helps to reduce mold wear and maintenance
  • Faster mold clean-up means more parts and less downtime
  • OVERALL: Increase production, reduced re-works, and less mold damage
• Easy to apply wipe-on or spray-on application methods and low odor.
• The Air Dry (ambient cure) system works fantastic; but for superior properties, oven curing at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes will deliver the coating’s ultimate properties.
• Works on all forms of mold tooling; metal, graphite, composite, and more without extensive mold tooling surface pre-treatment.
• Provides long lasting surface corrosion protection compared to most other materials.
• Easy to apply additional coatings without affecting tooling tolerances.
• Designed to work well under autoclave pressures and heat with repeated pulls.
• Optically clear coating so mold inspections can be performed as needed, then another coat can be re­applied (wiped on) after repairs have been performed.
• Working temperatures in excess of 800 F. continuous.
• Environmentally friendly, VOC compliant, RoHS compliant.

What’s not to like about our technology?  If you like your composite and plastic parts sticking in the molds and/or spraying release agents on your molds during production every day… we aren’t for you.

LPF is currently the sole and “exclusive” applicator of these technologies. By the end of 2012, we will begin licensing others to apply the material as well.

For more information, call Jim Stuelke at 816.444.1255 x115 or email at jstuelke@lpfcoatings.com

We are happy to announce that LPF just received its re-certification to be able to powder coat PACCAR parts. As PACCAR’s web site states, “PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of premium light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates.” PACCAR maintains one of the strictest quality programs that we are currently certified in.

The certification process involves multiple tests on samples ran at our facility on both Hot and Cold Rolled Steel. In order to pass, all the results must be 9’s or perfect (10). The parts are tested for powder thickness (2-3 mils tolerance). Adhesion tests are performed to see how well the powder is stuck to the substrate. The parts are then scribed; a large “X” is cut all the way through the powder coating surface and into the metal substrate.

The samples are then placed in a salt spray booth for 360 hours to accelerate corrosion of the metal along the scribe line. After the time in the cabinet, the scribe is measured to see how much corrosion occurred (this test is a measure of the quality of the pretreatment of the metal which prevents the corrosion from spreading beyond where the metal is exposed).

The harshest performance test is last. The scribed, salt sprayed panels are then subjected to an air hose blowing compressed air to try to lift away the coating along the scribe line. This is the test that separates the men from the boys as any superficial adhesion easily fails this “Creep Back” test. Only the best pretreatment methods will pass this test.

A practical example of this test would be a situation where a rock on the highway ricochets off the underside of a PACCAR tractor trailer and scratches the paint slightly. Then, over time, snow, salt, water, and other elements attack the metal along that scratch…but the scratch and surrounding area is able to resist corrosion because of the high quality finish we provide!

In addition to these lab tests, we are also required to run, test and hold out panels from every run of parts we do for PACCAR and then run the testing all over again each year .

PACCAR is the kind of account that LPF High Performance Coatings excels at and we are proud to have them as a client.

Post written by Jason Heidbreder, President of LPF High Performance Coatings

At LPF High Performance Coatings we wear the pants of a “Job Shop” very well. However, every once in a while we come across an opportunity to do a project that makes us adjust those pants and challenge us to do something we’ve never done before.

As a powder coating job shop we run into different metals, coatings, quality expectations, packaging requirements, paperwork needs/certifications, and more. Over time we’ve learned that being flexible with our processes allows us to react to the changing needs/demands of our existing, and new, customers.

As one example, this February we begin work on a 4-to-6 week project, a time-frame that is uncommon in the job shop world. In order to absorb this undertaking we’ve investigated new racking needs by actually purchasing some of the stock material our customer will be using and seeing what will allow us the best throughput.

We’ve also organized with another local company to subcontract some of the prep work in case that becomes necessary due to time constraints. Finally, we are preparing a night shift to make sure we don’t increase our lead times for the rest of our valued customers during this time.

There’s no question that some projects are more challenging than others. In order to be able to land projects that may be out of the typical powder coating job shop’s reach, we have to be willing to stretch outside of our comfort zone and rise to the challenge.

Anytime a different project comes our way, the “pants” might not fit exactly how we would like, but with a little adjusting we always figure out how to wear them well. And when we pull off something new, the learning experience makes it that much easier for us to adapt and help meet the expanding needs of our customers in the future.

The sale was a great financial move and a strategic climax to a great year!

I would like to start off 2012 by thanking our customers for giving us the chance to be a part of their success…..and thanking our employees for making our company look so good.

-Jim Stuelke

Post written by Dana Brown, Vice President of Sales at LPF High Performance Coatings

On Wednesday, December 21^st 2011 we had the opportunity to say goodbye to a beloved co-worker and friend, Rodney Johnson.

Rodney will forever be considered part of the LPF family. He was with us for many, many years until his illness prevented him from doing so. During his time with us, we experienced his light-hearted sense of humor, quick wit and fun-loving personality.

He was the type of guy that just wouldn’t let you have a bad day. We all looked forward to the time of year when he would make home-canned salsa and take great pride in sharing it with everyone. When we would have picnics or functions that required food, Rodney had “assignments” as he was truly a talented cook.

The services were absolutely how one would have expected them to be. They focused on celebrating Rodney’s life and how he lived it. At one point during the services there was an opportunity for people to speak of their memories of Rodney…..and speak they did!

One person after another, not crying or upset, but upbeat… almost cheerful…shared their experiences of this man’s unique gifts. Some even almost chuckled under their breath as if sharing some inside joke that they shared with Rodney.

The services ended with full military honors for this ex-Navy Seabee, the bugle playing Taps, a 21-gun salute and the presentation of the flag… It was absolutely beautiful!

Personally, I feel blessed that our lives crossed paths.

Goodbye my friend…Until we meet again…

Joe Calhoon

Post written by Jason Heidbreder, President of LPF High Performance Coatings

We are always trying to find ways to grow on a personal level in addition to the company as a whole. To that end, we recently began the process of evaluating our strengths with Joe Calhoon.  Joe is a well-respected leader in his industry and is known for his fresh approach to improving organizational performance.

We are in the process of completing the Kolbe and Strength finder evaluations. These will help our management team understand what makes each of us tick.  This is not a process of finding weaknesses within a group; instead, it finds the strengths and ideal situations in which each of us feels we are in our “sweet spot” or in our “zone”.

For instance, removing a variable may help me with my approach to a project or situation, whereas adding a bit of something else may be what makes Dana tick.  Another person might be more comfortable with certain tools while a different person excels with others.

It’s all about understanding who we work with and how we can get the most out of ourselves without introducing unnecessary stress or hardships simply because we lacked understanding. We’ll find out what we have in common and work together develop our strengths as a group.

In addition, all of our employees (30+) will take an Organizational Health Assessment were they can anonymously answer questions about LPF High Performance Coatings.

We’re looking for the raw answers and feedback that only an anonymous assessment can provide.  How are we really doing?  Do our employees feel engaged?  Are they happy/fulfilled with their jobs?  Do they think we know what the heck we’re doing?  The accumulation of these responses will tell us where to focus so we can grow and mature the entire organization.

We’re just beginning this process and I will update this blog along the way and let you know what we discover. If you or your organization want to learn more about Joe Calhoon, you can visit his web site HERE.

Post written by Dana Brown, Vice President of Sales at LPF Coatings

LPF High Performance Coatings kicked off its Holiday Season with turkeys for all of our employees.  This has been a positive annual tradition at LPF for as long as I can remember. With the economic climate being what it is today, with so many people still looking for employment, with employers looking to cut costs, and with countless others not happy with their jobs, it was meaningful to receive this 15+ pound bundle, chucked full of appreciation for what we all do as part of the LPF team.

You often don’t have to look very far to find things to be appreciative of. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that bring the most satisfaction. I personally work very hard to take a step back, look at things from different perspectives, and make the most of every situation.

To give a simple example…When I prepared the delicious turkey for my family and friends, I realized that not only do I work for what I personally believe is the best company, one that appreciates me and all of my contributions, but it’s a considerate company as well.

You see, our turkeys came equipped with a temperature sensor, the red button that “pops” out when your turkey is at the peak of perfection. It was like, “TA DA”, the easy button of holiday turkey preparation!  Now that is something we all can appreciate!

This was LPF’s third acquisition since 2009. The firm’s management has used the lull in the economy to diversify into Hydrographic Printing (such as the process of applying camouflage on firearms) through its acquisition of Dynamic Finishes, and then its entre into nano-ceramic coating technologies with its acquisition of Ultra Coatings, also of Olathe.

LPF will continue operations on both sides of the state line as it provides great flexibility to accommodate its JIT-oriented customers. “ Every day between
the two shifts at our Missouri facility, and the shift on the Kansas side, it gives us the capacity and flexibility to accommodate our client’s just-in-time needs,” noted Dana Brown; who was recently promoted to VP of Sales for the combined powder coating operations.

LPF has also expanded into bar-coding and along with that; inventory management for its clients. “Essentially, we are beginning to offer fulfillment services where our clients can ship us raw parts to be finished (painted). We then enter the parts into our system and track with our internal barcoding system so the customer can track their inventory stock with our on-line 24/7 ‘LPF Web-view’ until we have shipped the parts to their clients,” said Jason Heidbreder, who was recently promoted to President of all operations. “This service requires a great deal of working trust from our fabrication and machine shop clients as we are essentially serving as their quality department and their shipping department,” he added. LPF currently has several clients using different levels of this service.

At the Olathe facility, Steve Jordan is now the Customer Service Manager, and Mike Rogers is the Plant Manager. “As the economy continues to grow, we are positioning ourselves so that we can be patient, yet also be ready to accommodate growth opportunities with speed as they become available,” noted Rogers.

In addition to powder coatings, the combined companies offer Teflon™ coatings, and other specialty coatings. Steve Rogers, the former owner of RMI powder  coating operations, still owns RMI Golf Carts; one of the largest rental golf cart fleets in the U.S. “LPF and RMI have always referred accounts to each other when it was work we couldn’t do, and vice versa. That existing relationship and professional trust made the process of selling my operations to a competitor; a friendly and cerebral process,” stated Steve Rogers.