Soltex Partners Make Way for Continued Company Success  

Soltex’s continued growth and success over the years is credited to high-quality product offerings and devoted, knowledgeable, and customer-service focused employees. Yet, strong partnerships with outside entities also contribute to the ongoing company achievement. With two new supply chain partners, Transflo and Wolflake, joining the mix, we’re filling gaps to work toward further success and maintain our reputation of providing the best service possible to all customers.

Transflo is a solid stronghold in the Midwest region. With this partnership, we can provide timely product deliveries to customers. The newly secured space to stock product like polybutene is key to our customers and Soltex. The transloading facilities also provide key operational services, which was another major factor of consideration with our partnership as few locations have these capabilities.

With Transflo, we are also able to provide faster service via railcar with fewer checkpoints, further lessening the often-excruciating wait time in the chemical supply industry. The Transflo railcar tracks are the equivalent of four trucks of product and the railyard checks product with scale and heat checking. Something unexpected can happen like the 2021 winter storm. Texas has a reputation for bizarre weather changes that don’t normally occur within a normal year. Seasonal risks like hurricanes and winter weather (Refer to Former Blog) stress are also minimized now that we have a reliable and regional presence in the Midwest with material on the ground and ready to go for customers. The ability to have other areas of resources allows our operations to never close.

Similar to Transflo, Wolflake is another supply chain partner that allows us to stock products locally for customers in the Midwest and the country. As a familiar partner for us having previously been a place to stock polybutene, they are now stocking products such as acetylene black, fumed silica, and paint and coating products.

Our partnerships with Wolflake and Transflo, above all, allow us to continue prioritizing customer service and satisfaction. Their central locations and ability to house our most demanded products like acetylene black and polybutene securely vastly improves our supply chain and customer service focus, further contributing to Soltex success.

Why So Many Lubricant Additives?

Choosing the right lubricant additive package or component can be overwhelming, but the experts at Soltex are here to help. The long list of available lubricant additive packages is not just for show – each additive package was designed with a specific application in mind. At Soltex, additive products are grouped by application: engine oil, driveline, industrial, food grade and components. These types are then broken down by functionality, which are Boosters, Anti-wear Additives, EP Additives, Detergents, Dispersants, Viscosity Modifiers, Pour Point Depressants, Antioxidants, Tackifiers, and Food Grade Additives. Within these product groups, formulas designed for similar purposes are tweaked to meet specific needs and functionality. Altogether, that comes to a broad portfolio of additives packages and components.  But why is the lubricant additives product line so extensive?

 

Well, because there are many end uses for lubricant additives, such as engines, hydraulics, racing, grease, gear, compressors, rock drill oil, and transmissions. Here is a breakdown of the product groups:

 

• Lubricant Additive Packages are Soltex’s tailored blends to formulated finished fluids for engines, driveline, and industrial applications.
• Anti-wear additives, with ash and ashless chemistries, offer wear protection by preventing oxidation and reducing sludge.
• Antioxidants provide longevity to a lubricant and protect from thermal and oxidative degradation.
• Detergents additives designed to clean and neutralize acids within an engine and prevent the build-up of deposits.
• Dispersants help to prevent sludge, varnish, and other deposits from forming on critical metal surfaces.
• Food grade additives include corrosion inhibitors, anti-wear and EP additives, tackifiers and antioxidants for white oils, anti-wear and corrosion inhibitors for mineral oil based lubricants, and tackifiers and thickeners for white oil and vegetable oil based lubricants.
• Pour point dispersants are used to adjust the lowest temperature at which a fuel or oil will pour when cooled under defined conditions.
• Tackifiers increase the adhesive properties of lubricants, preventing dripping and splashing during operation which helps to reduce operational cost and the risk of environmental contamination.
• Viscosity Modifiers, or viscosity index improvers, are polymeric and are added to lubricants to reduce the degree of change in viscosity seen at high and low temperatures.

 

Hopefully, now that the purpose for each lubricant additive has been defined, choosing the best additive package or component for your application is less intimidating.  Need a blend of lubricant additives? Contact a representative today online or over the phone to see how Soltex can put their technical resources to work for you.

From Humble Beginnings to Proven Success: The Evolution of Soltex

Now a thriving business serving customers internationally with 65 employees, the growth of Soltex from humble beginnings is truly an American business success story. With just two phones, four employees, and a blank book of customers, they built what is now a successful company from the ground up.

Describing the original office of Soltex, Susan Kovacs, vice president of sales at Soltex, says “It was just a bunch of file boxes and a garage.” Yet, a bare-bones environment didn’t stop the small team from pounding the pavement and the phone lines to build a strong, sustainable, and expanding business that started out with the original Soltex products of refrigeration fluids, Soltex dielectric fluids and synthetic alkylates.

With a focus on maintaining credibility and being “customer-centric,” Kovacs explains that “Customer service was and always has been paramount.” Together, the small team concentrated on their strengths in both product offerings and forming relationships. They grew steadily over time by maintaining these relationships and were able to step up and consistently solve problems when they arose. Year after year listening to customer needs was paramount in delivering the best consumer experience.

The perspective Kovacs provides comes with over 30 years of experience on the Soltex team. Explaining her devotion to the business, she says, “When you put your heart and soul into a company and watch it go through good times and bad, it becomes your passion. You want to be part of the process.” Another key piece of the Soltex success puzzle from the beginning was the culture. Every individual matters and is essential to the overall success of Soltex. A team bonded together in their desire to serve their customers has created a great synergy.

While the industry has evolved, so has Soltex. There was a time not so long ago when most business was conducted in person, but over the last few years, Soltex has been able to shift to better accommodate customers in the current world. Communicating using tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Webex consistently has become the norm. The openness among members of the chemical suppliers community has also been paramount. Being able to keep up and exchange information through a variety of platforms, including social media, has kept the industry as a whole moving forward. The Soltex team has also expanded, bringing in new key people to meet new demands and fill gaps that have arisen with the ever-evolving industry landscape.

While much has changed since the early days with two phones and file boxes, the future for Soltex looks promising. “Hard work and persistence have truly paid off,” concludes Kovacs.

Soltex Strong Efforts Amidst ILMA Cancellation

The 2022 Annual ILMA (Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association) Meeting, which was scheduled for the end of September in Marco Island, was unfortunately canceled due to Hurricane Ian this year. Prior to its cancellation, Soltex was excited to attend and was disappointed to hear that it would not take place. The decision to cancel ILMA was certainly necessary and we are sending our support to those impacted by Hurricane Ian in Marco Island and the entire southwestern Florida community. While we know this is not an equal substitute for in-person conversations, hands-on activity, and potential business opportunities that would’ve taken place at ILMA 2022, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team if you have any questions or would like to schedule a meeting. We look forward to connecting with you in ILMA Engage 2023 soon!

Donate to Recovery Efforts

If you would like to donate to hurricane relief and recovery efforts in Florida, you may wish to consider the following organizations:

• American Red Cross

• United Way of Collier and the Keys (Marco Island is located in Collier County)

• Salvation Army

 

Soltex Summer Interns Bring New Energy and Insights

This summer Soltex has welcomed two interns to our team, Christian Gilmore and Mia Traugott. Bringing dynamic and helpful energies to the team, both have seized the many opportunities they have been presented with at Soltex to further their knowledge and gain experience individually. Gilmore is more specifically a supply chain intern and Traugott has focused her time on marketing and operations.

 

A recent college graduate, Gilmore interviewed with Soltex for his position and describes that he took an immediate liking to Soltex and his interest in the chemical industry was piqued. In his role as a supply chain summer intern, he describes that he performs a variety of tasks from “accurately composing and executing purchase orders, to communicating with domestic and international suppliers, and coding invoices for accounting.” While he details that the supply chain industry can be unpredictable, he also explains that the most interesting project he’s worked on so far has involved analyzing sales history and sales forecasts for products such as polybutene, fumed silica, acetylene black, and others to create an effective future supply plan.

 

As a summer intern with an interest in marketing and office management, Traugott has also stepped up during her time on the Soltex team. Working with the marketing department, she has been able to dive into marketing analytics, perform many marketing-based tasks and learn the ins and outs of industry best practices. For her, the most interesting project has been developing a robust analytical report for all social media channels and the Soltex website.

 

Both Gilmore and Traugott described the environment at Soltex as supportive and communicative and noted the company’s success and reputation in the chemical market. Success in their roles comes in the form of both achievement on projects, and in the immense growth they have each experienced professionally. The ability to gain knowledge in a hands-on environment has contributed to both of their growth over the course of the internship. Gilmore explains that “shadowing your superiors and learning their processes and skills that has allowed them to be great in their current role” is also incredibly valuable.

 

When they’re not gaining experience and skills to carry into their individual careers, Traugott and Gilmore each stay busy pursuing individual hobbies and interests. Gilmore enjoys track and field, and playing video games and guitar, while Taugott likes to play softball, read, swim, and hang out with friends. They both also enjoy spending time by the water; Gilmore is more a lake guy, while Traugott is happy “anywhere with the beach.” Interns with such drive and ambition have brought new energy to our workspace and we’re glad to have contributed to and experienced their growth. We look forward to following their future career paths and want to congratulate both on officially joining the Soltex family.

 

Meet the Team: Mike Bonn

Each individual on the Soltex team contributes to driving the company toward further achievement. The sales team in particular plays a large role in doing so through their continuous efforts to maintain strong relationships with existing customers while building new relationships with potential customers. Technical Sales Executive Mike Bonn, who is based out of Canada, has found continued success in sustaining and forming connections with Soltex partners.

 

Bonn joined the Soltex team after working previously in electrical transformer manufacturing. With such a background, it’s no surprise that he describes the most interesting project he’s worked on as the development of HyVolt C50A liquid for the Canadian Market. Playing a key part in its consumer rollout, his deep knowledge of the product became a major factor in the success of the product.

 

Now in his fourth year with Soltex, Bonn credits many of his accomplishments within the company to his strong communication skills and helpful attitude. The “genuine desire to help customers get what they need” guides his actions and the sincere communication he provides daily. He also explains that customer needs are treated as urgent saying, “When customers call, we answer the phone and get them the solutions they need to help their businesses run more smoothly.”

 

His strong communication skills have vastly contributed to the customer satisfaction which he believes leads to more new customers and overall higher sales revenue. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic created additional challenges in getting out in the field to meet new prospective customers, his commitment and knowledge have driven success.

 

When not tending to current Soltex customers or driving new business, Bonn prefers to spend his time outside. From fishing to camping, hunting, woodworking, and even gardening, he is no stranger to the great outdoors. The Rocky Mountains have a place in his heart as his favorite vacation spot and he even co-hosts a podcast about ice hockey called the ScuttlePuck.

Your Fumed Silica Source

Have you ever painted something and watched disappointedly as drips started to fall during the drying process? Soltex can help prevent reliving this experience by adding fumed silica to paints, thickening, and giving structure, without compromising opacity. 

 

Fumed silica is considered an anti-settling, anti-sagging agent in paint and coatings because it improves thixotropic and rheological properties. In other words, fumed silica impacts how the paint’s viscosity reacts to temperature and applied stress, like being shaken or stirred. Furthermore, fumed silica aids in the prevention of corrosion by preventing the migration of water through the film onto the substrate below while strengthening film hardness and adhesion to surfaces.   

 

In addition to paint, fumed silica can be found in a wide array of products including lubricants, powders, and elastomers. Lubricants and greases can be thickened (much like paint) by improving thixotropic and rheological properties and preventing drip too. Fumed silica can be added to powders to enhance free-flow and anti-caking characteristics, or to elastomers as reinforcement filler. 

 

Fumed silica is extremely light and fluffy, but can be difficult to handle as it is a pure and relatively reactive source of silica in powder form. Often, the level of reactivity causes a shortage in supply even when the demand for fumed silica is high. However, Soltex is committed to building stock of fumed silica to support our customers, reducing lead times to better manage inventories. 

 

Soltex is not only the industry leader in fumed silica stock but also in quality. Soltex fumed silica is unique because it is produced to high standards under ISO9001 Quality Management Systems. Product batches are tested during manufacturing and prior to shipment to ensure high-quality standards. So, the next time you grease a squeaky door or complete a satisfactory paint job, perhaps you can thank fumed silica for keeping your hard work and materials in place.  

Meet The Team: David Collins Steps Up to Lead Business Development at Soltex

As Soltex continues to grow, we welcome new, talented individuals to our team. Filling a particularly essential role as business development manager is David Collins, whose leadership will be paramount to nurturing and cultivating continued company-wide success.

 

Collins explains that as the manager of business development, he has the opportunity to “look vertically within the organization to identify new in-organic business segments, products and additional opportunities that will strategically benefit” Soltex as a whole. Having joined the team just over three months ago, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the chemical and lubricant industry. He explains that his diverse background gives him a broader perspective than most and allows him to think outside the box.

 

In speaking with Collins, it’s evident that he has already found a rhythm in his work. Between coordinating with multiple parts of the company to review market trends and identifying opportunities to propose new business ideas, his focus on improving the company’s revenue is clear. While navigating partnerships can be tricky, he explains that he is able to operate in a way that ensures “growth opportunities are still aligned to core philosophies” at Soltex. Soltex’s differentiation comes with its robust and quality product lines. The service-oriented approach to business additionally makes Soltex stand out among competitors.

 

As he continues to settle into the Soltex team, Collins details what it means to be successful to him, saying, “I see success as a moving target. By continually updating and stretching my goals, I am able to stay on track and motivate myself to keep working towards long-term objectives.”

 

Happily married with “three fully grown and independent children,” you can find Collins exploring many unique hobbies and interests outside of work, including blue water sailing and golfing. A big rugby fan, he’s also an avid follower of the Irish Lions. Soltex is thrilled to have him on board and looks forward to much continued success with his leadership.

 

 

 

Soltex Flies into Washington DC with NACD

Soltex recently had the opportunity to meet with Members of Congress and regulators as part of the NACD gathering where chemical distributors and their supply chain affiliates from around the country educate and advocate for important policy goals. Meeting in person with those who shape and enforce our laws is the most effective way to get your message through to Capitol Hill and federal agencies.

Two key Soltex team members, John Grimes and Bryan De La Rosa attended NACD Washington Fly-In, speaking on behalf of the chemical industry alongside NACD members. Grimes and De La Rosa on trade issues affecting responsible distribution and supply chain restrictions. During the congressional meetings, each attendee was led by group leaders to round-robin discussions about the companies and issues involving Superfund Tax, Generalized System Preferences (GSP) renewal, Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), and China 301 Tariffs.

Soltex acknowledges federal government participation in benefiting our trade operations with our Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District represents our Soltex headquarters. Representative Brian Babin of the 36^th Congressional District represents our warehouse and technical laboratory in Baytown, Texas. The reminder of active communication with our politicians offers our voter voices to be heard and acts in support of our communities.

Overall, the NACD Fly-In event opens the doors of our policyholder offices to understand the needs in the chemical industry. We believe that the time shared reflects the values of our company and allows a stronger presence on Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and industry associations.

Soltex Connects with Canadian Industry Leaders at EDIST

 

Soltex was thrilled to attend the Electricity, Distribution, Information Systems and Technology (EDIST) Conference & Exhibition in Toronto earlier this month. The conference and exhibition addressed critical engineering, operational, IT and management issues faced by Ontario’s LDCs, suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers. The theme for EDIST 2022 was “Leading a Bold New Narrative” and attendees were encouraged to share timely industry insights and innovative new products.

 

Two key Canadian members of our sales team, Mike Bonn and Bob Harper attended EDIST, capitalizing on the chance to network and showcase Soltex’s existing and new products. Bonn and Harper focused on introducing the Ergon Esters. Furthermore, they were able to reintroduce and expand on C50A offerings and the line of dielectric fluids, which continue to be paramount in the Canadian market.

 

Explaining the sheer importance of Soltex’s presence at this conference, Bonn says “We have established Soltex as the most reliable source for transformer liquids. Most Ontario customers and prospects for dielectric liquids attended EDIST, so maintaining our presence as a key player in the market was important.”

 

Harper and Bonn both additionally described that there was ample discussion of supply chain issues in the industry. They were able to further grasp that “everyone in the industry has heavy and healthy backlogs”. Many of the other conversations went back to the widespread need and interest in Soltex’s secure transformer oil offerings.

 

Overall, EDIST proved to be a worthwhile conference to attend. The time to re-engage with current customers and prospects was invaluable and we look forward to attending the next one to maintain our strong presence in Canada.