Tuesday Jul 30, 2024

From Tradition to Innovation: Insights from Sivam North America and Focal Finishes

Summary

In this episode of the Bearded Finisher podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Jacob from Sivam North America and Brian from Focal Finishes. They discuss their backgrounds in the coatings industry and how they ended up in their current positions. Jacob shares his journey from being a third-generation finisher and woodworker to working for Sivam North America. Brian talks about his experience as a painter and how he transitioned into the wood coatings industry. The conversation explores the shift in the finishing industry from acid cure to water-based coatings, with a focus on the North American market. It discusses the reasons behind this shift, including the environmental regulations in Europe and the growing demand for safer and more sustainable products. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the industry, such as the influx of European manufacturers into the North American market and the competition between different Italian coating companies. Additionally, it highlights the differences in marketing and social media presence between European and American manufacturers. They talk about the benefits and challenges of using UV coatings, the importance of finding the right system for each job, and the unique selling points of Focal Finishes. They also share advice for those interested in pursuing a career in the coatings industry and reveal some surprising hobbies outside of work.

Keywords

coatings industry, Sivam North America, Focal Finishes, background, journey, relationships, finishing industry, acid cure, water-based coatings, North American market, environmental regulations, European manufacturers, Italian coating companies, marketing, social media presence, coatings industry, UV coatings, finding the right system, Focal Finishes, career advice, hobbies

Takeaways

The coatings industry is highly interconnected, and relationships play a crucial role in business success.

Sivam North America and Focal Finishes offer unique products and services in the coatings market.

Italian coating companies are expanding their presence in North America, offering a wide range of specialized products.

European manufacturers have a different approach to marketing and social media compared to their American counterparts.

Focal Finishes sets itself apart by pairing equipment with coatings and providing personalized solutions for customers

Advice for those interested in the coatings industry: always be willing to learn and try new things, and don't be afraid to ask for help

Titles

The Growing US Coatings Market

Brian's Background: From Painter to Focal Finishes The Rise of Italian Coating Companies

Emerging Technologies in the Industry Finding the Right System for Each Job

What Sets Focal Finishes Apart from Competitors

Sound Bites

"Once you get into this world, forget it. You're not getting out, it's over."

"It's like an afternoon soap opera. Everybody knows what everybody's doing."

"It ain't broken, why fix it?"

"Find a system and stick to it. Damn it. Quit jumping around every single job that you do."

"95 % of the time you're considering, you know, don't overcomplicate it. Complexity is not always good."

Chapters