Category Archives: News

HICKORY, NC — HK Research Corporation, America’s leading gel coat expert, has announced that due to a significant increase in demand for the quality products they manufacture, they recently completed an expansion of their Hickory, NC, production facility.

“While efficiently manufacturing large quantities of whites and other bases has never been an issue, the current marine market demands have increased the need for custom tinted gel coats. The expansion of our plant has enabled us to make a significant increase in our production capacity to keep up with growing customer demand for custom colors in random quantities,” explained David Higgins, VP of Marketing and Sales, HK Research. “Increasing our batch production capabilities by over 100% allows us to shorten our lead times, while offering greater flexibility in the gel coats we produce.”

The expansion increased floor space dedicated to gel coat production by a factor of more than 50%. The company added ten new state of the art variable speed large tank mixers, eight variable speed multi-drum mixers and two powerful grind/shear mixers as part of the expansion. Also six custom stainless steel mixing vessels were designed and purchased specifically for the custom color operation for batch sizes up to 13-drum quantities. Several modern high-capacity precision scales were also added so these gel coats can be compounded with superior accuracy. These additions give HK Research the ability to produce a greater volume of its gel coats on a daily basis. The company also recently purchased land adjacent to its production facility, where it plans to build a material warehousing site in the future.

Based in Hickory, North Carolina, HK Research has the largest facility in North America designed exclusively for premium polymer coating manufacturing. HK Research’s fully automated facility produces the world’s most advanced, consistently reproducible coating products for marine, aerospace, transportation and pool and spa industries. Barrel to barrel, HK Research’s coatings deliver
superior protection that lasts, maintains a new appearance longer, and adapts easily to the production process, saving time and money on every run.

For more information on HK Research or their products, visit their new website at www.hkresearch.com or call (800) 334-5975.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
David Higgins, VP – Sales and Marketing, HK Research Corporation
908 Old Lenoir Road, P.O. Box 1809, Hickory, NC 28601
(800) 334-5975 • (828) 328-1721
www.hkresearch.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
David Higgins, VP – Sales and Marketing, HK Research
908 Old Lenoir Road, P.O. Box 1809, Hickory, NC 28601
(800) 334-5975 • (828) 328-1721
www.hkresearch.com

HICKORY, NC — HK Research, America’s leading gel coat expert, has announced that it has promoted Brannon Pittman to the position of Technical Director.

“Brannon’s responsibilities will include the development of the products and the technologies that will keep us well ahead of our competition and continue our leadership in the industry,” said Richard Higgins, President, HK Research. “He will also be responsible to assist with improving our overall efficiencies as well as well as direct product improvement.”

As Technical Director, Mr. Pittman will be responsible for the direction and leadership of new product and new technologies development in the R&D and color laboratories, existing product improvements and quality control of incoming raw materials and outgoing products. He will also assist production to achieve better efficiencies while improving quality and will lead the Technical Service Team.

Prior to being promoted to Technical Director, Mr. Pittman was the Technical Services Manager for HK Research. He has a degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University and worked five years as the Quality Control/Environmental Manager for a fiberglass boat facility. In 1998, Mr. Pittman joined HK Research as a chemist/laboratory technician and, within a few years, was added to the Technical Service team while still working in the lab.
He mentored under former Technical Director Glen Wigington for more than 12 years, then was promoted to Technical Service Manager in March 2012.

Based in Hickory, North Carolina, HK Research has the largest facility in North America designed exclusively for premium polymer coating manufacturing.
HK Research’s fully automated facility produces the world’s most advanced, consistently reproducible coating products for marine, aerospace, transportation and pool and spa industries. Barrel to barrel, HK Research’s coatings deliver superior protection that lasts, maintains a new appearance longer, and adapt easily to the production process, saving time and money on every run.

For more information on HK Research or their products, visit their new website www.hkresearch.com or call (800) 334-5975. Visit www.hkresearch.com for additional personnel announcements as HK Research continues to expand its footprint in the composites industry.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HICKORY, NC — HK Research, America’s leading gel coat expert, brings the marine industry unmatched protection with its new ReFlex^TM polymer gel coats. ReFlex is one of HK Research’s Revolution^® series of gel coat polymers, which represents one of the biggest innovations in marine coatings in over 70 years.

“What makes ReFlex and all our Revolution polymers so different is their ability to ‘flex’ due to the elasticity in their molecular structure,” explained David Higgins, VP of Marketing and Sales, HK Research. “While providing outstanding in-shop application properties, the ReFlex Revolution polymer offers tremendous weathering properties and water resistance — all at a price competitive with traditional gel coats.”

Using a proprietary grafting technique, HK Research has completely re-engineered the polymer’s molecular makeup to produce its Revolution series of gel coats. Flexible molecular crosslinks enable ReFlex to resist cracking while under pressure while delivering outstanding water and UV resistance. And, like all HK products, Revolution gel coat polymers are specially engineered to deliver outstanding performance in the shop and in the field.

Although it is available in a variety of other colors, ReFlex is most often applied in its pure white form.

Based in Hickory, North Carolina, HK Research has the largest facility in North America designed exclusively for premium polymer coating manufacturing. HK Research’s fully automated facility produces the world’s most advanced, consistently reproducible coating products for marine, aerospace, transportation and pool and spa industries. Barrel to barrel, HK Research’s coatings deliver superior protection that lasts, maintains a new appearance longer, and adapts easily to the production process, saving time and money on every run.

For more information on HK Research or their products, visit their website www.hkresearch.com or call (800) 334-5975.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
David Higgins, VP – Sales and Marketing, HK Research
908 Old Lenoir Rd, P.O. Box 1809, Hickory, NC
(800) 334-5975 • (828) 328-1721
www.hkresearch.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HICKORY, NC — HK Research, America’s leading gel coat expert, brings new depths of protection and brilliant color to the marine industry with its MetalFlex™ polymer gel coats. MetalFlex is one of HK Research’s Revolution^® series of gel coat polymers, which are an engineering of the polymer’s molecular makeup using a proprietary grafting technique to give it flexibility while under pressure.

Available in a variety of vibrant colors, MetalFlex can have the brilliance of traditional bass boat metal flake or the subtlety of a soft pearl. What separates it from other gel coats is the depth of color, durability and ease of application.

“Along with its deep metallic glow, what makes MetalFlex and all our Revolution polymers so different is their ability to ‘flex’ due to the elasticity in their molecular structure,” explained David Higgins, VP of Marketing and Sales, HK Research. “The depth of color and vibrancy of MetalFlex gives boats a glowing aura in the showroom and in the water. While providing outstanding in-shop application properties, the MetalFlex Revolution polymer offers the best weathering properties and water resistance — all at a price competitive with traditional gel coats.”

Using a proprietary grafting technique, HK Research has completely re-engineered the polymer’s molecular makeup to produce its Revolution series of gel coats. Flexible molecular crosslinks enable MetalFlex to resist cracking under pressure while delivering outstanding water and UV resistance. And, like all HK products, Revolution gel coat polymers are specially engineered to deliver outstanding performance in the shop and in the field.

Based in Hickory, North Carolina, HK Research has the largest facility in North America designed exclusively for premium polymer coating manufacturing. HK Research’s fully automated facility produces the world’s most advanced, consistently reproducible coating products for marine, aerospace, transportation and pool and spa industries. Barrel to barrel, HK Research’s coatings deliver superior protection that lasts, maintains a new appearance longer, and adapts easily to the production process, saving time and money on every run.

For more information on HK Research or their products, visit their website www.hkresearch.com or call (800) 334-5975.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
David Higgins, VP – Sales and Marketing, HK Research
908 Old Lenoir Rd., P.O. Box 1809, Hickory, NC
(800) 334-5975 • (828) 328-1721
www.hkresearch.com

We are pleased to announce that Brannon Pittman, veteran of 14 years of Gel Coat development and customer service at HK, has been formally promoted to Technical Service Manager for the company. His responsibilities will include assisting the field representatives where necessary, trial runs of products in composite plants around the country and providing the follow-up laboratory work to assist our current and new customers.

We congratulate Brannon on his new position, a position he has earned with a great deal of hard work and effort.

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HICKORY, NC — HK Research, the industry’s gel coat expert, unveiled a new user-friendly, grafted polymer matrix named “Revolution” during the 2012 Composites Exhibition and Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

HK Research is confident that its new Revolution^® polymer will live up to its name. “Polyester gel coat technology has changed very little over the past 70 years. Until now,” explained David Higgins, VP of Marketing and Sales, HK Research. “What makes Revolution different is its ability to ‘flex’ due to the changes in its molecular structure. Revolution has multiple reactive sites that allow superior cross-link density and inherent flexibility. While providing outstanding in-shop application properties, Revolution Polymer offers the best weathering properties and water -resistance — all at a price competitive with traditional gel coats.”

Using a proprietary grafting technique, HK Research completely re-engineered the polymer’s molecular makeup. As a result of this molecular re-engineering, Revolution features modified resin backbones, grafted polymer chains, controlled uniform molecular weights and flexible cross-links. Ordered monomer grafting minimizes UV degradation, maximizes application characteristics, increases transfer efficiency and reduces water permeation through a polymer network. And, like all HK products, Revolution Polymer is specially engineered to deliver outstanding performance in the shop and in the field.

Based in Hickory, North Carolina, HK Research has the largest facility in North America designed exclusively for premium polymer coating manufacturing. HK Research’s fully automated facility produces the world’s most advanced, consistently reproducible coating products for marine, aerospace, transportation and pool and spa industries.  Barrel to barrel, HK Research’s coatings deliver superior protection that lasts, maintains a new appearance longer, and adapts easily to the production process, saving time and money on every run.

For more information on HK Research or their products, visit their new website www.hkresearch.com or call (800) 334-5975.

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March 12, 2007
Hickory, NC – HK Research Corporation is proud to announce its HD™ High Definition/High Performance Gel Coats. This new line of gel coats has exceptional depth and boldness and is offered in a spectrum of high definition colors.

The HD™ Gel Coats are MACT- compliant gel coats that are ideal for boat hulls, decks and swimming pools in any color.  Blistering, blushing, porosity, or fading will no longer be an issue with the application of this gel coat product.

HD™ Gel Coats have the same great application properties as HK Research’s other Low HAP gel coats. When properly applied, components created using the HD™ Gel Coats will not blush or fade under the shrink wrap or below the water line.  Using HK’s proprietary CopperCoat™ Patching System, HD™ Series Gel Coats may be repaired to produce an invisible patch.

HK Research is based in Hickory, North Carolina, and has the largest facility in North America designed exclusively for premium gel coats. For more information, visit the website at http://www.hkresearch.com/, or call toll-free, 1-800-334-5975.

Go to HK-Marine to find out more.

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Jan. 2004
HK Research has named Ken Lore to the position of Operations Manager. Employed with the company since July, 2003, and a mechanical engineer by training, Ken brings his experience of more than 25 years in the pharmaceutical glass industry. He has managed all facets of production and quality systems. In his new role with HK Research, Lore will oversee and be directly involved with every aspect of plant operations from scheduling and personnel to the manufacturing, packaging and shipping of America’s finest gel coats. ” We are very pleased to have Ken Lore on board at HK Research. He comes to us with a great technical background and plenty of quality systems experience which will help us operate at a very high level,” said HK President, Richard Higgins.

Lore will also play a leading role in ongoing facility upgrades and the continuing implementation of new state-of-the-art touch screen control technology. As HK Research moves further into gel coat production for the marine industry, the emphasis on the company’s hallmarks of batch-to-batch consistency and exceptional quality becomes even greater. “These changes are exciting and give us the opportunity to do the best job for our customers who are honest and forthright in their expectations”, Lore said. “I’m happy to be a part of a company with such a great reputation for quality and innovation. I really enjoy the work I do.”

Lore replaces long-time former Operations Manager, Ted Hilton. Although retired, Hilton is still working as a consultant with HK Research and continues to contribute to operations.

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Oct. 2, 2003
Glenn Wigington went to Anaheim, CA for the American Composites Manufacturers Association’s COMPOSITES 2003 with a new purpose. As Technical Director for HK Research, he’d attended dozens of trade shows to gather information. This time however, his mission was to give information away, to educate his composites industry colleagues and spread the news about low-HAP gel coats.

The role of seminar presenter is a natural offshoot of the creative process prevalent in his daily environment, and one that Wigington particularly enjoys. “It’s a privilege to get up in front of people and talk about the things that are of great interest to me and anyone in the industry,” he said. Given the freedom by HK President, Richard Higgins, to create new products that save time and raw materials, Wigington embraced the opportunity to share the benefits of low-HAP gel coats with members of the marine and bathware industries.

The well-attended session addressed issues facing composites manufacturers every day. Available low-HAP gel coat categories including clears, pigmented, deep-tone accent and FDA certifiable products, among others, were highlighted. Discussion of critical performance topics like resistance to UV yellowing, osmotic blistering, hardness and tensile strength issues brought forth valuable information for session participants.

Non-atomized and airless/air assisted product delivery systems were addressed in light of new emission control regulations designed to reduce Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP). Wigington also provided compelling evidence on how low-HAP gel coats reduce the styrene emissions at the heart of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards. “All the regulations are HAP-driven, meaning that compliance with MACT will revolve around reducing pollutants. I have been a believer in the low-HAP philosophy since its inception,” Wigington said. “Some people in the industry are still trying to solve yesterday’s problems today. I went to Anaheim to talk about how a forward-thinking vision now can help the industry two years down the road and beyond.”

For more information about the American Composite Manufacturers Association, visit www.acmanet.org.

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Jan 2004
In an effort to help composites manufacturers prepare for compliance with new air quality regulations, HK Research has co-sponsored the publication of Emission Control Strategies: A Guide for Composites Manufacturers. “This booklet is meant to be a reference guide for the composites manufacturer. It will afford quick access to new regulations their businesses must follow in regard to reducing volatile organic compounds (VOC) and hazardous air pollutants (HAP) that come from the composites manufacturing process,” stated David Higgins, National Sales Manager for HK Research. The compliance deadline for Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) is August 23, 2004 for boat producers. New compliance guidelines for the reinforced plastic composites industry will take effect on April 21, 2006.

Great detail is given to understanding MACT standards as well as other air quality regulations that preceded them. This guide will help readers understand the relevant standards for quantifying the volatile content of materials and for measuring pollutant emissions.

Also contained in this guide are overviews of new technologies aimed at exceeding the compliance standards of new MACT regulations. Among some of these are the development and use of new environmentally-friendly resins and gel coats capable of drastically reducing styrene and other HAP emissions. New low-emission application methods now allow manufacturers to use redesigned equipment to meet the regulations. Some companies may find success utilizing vacuum infusion molding or by changes in their pultrusion process. Still others can take advantage of today’s easy-to-use emissions capture and control systems that allow amazing operational flexibility. The guide also includes a complete resource section providing a wealth of regulatory agency contacts and industry resources.

HK Research, recognized as the industry’s premiere manufacturer of low-HAP gel coats, knew their proactive involvement and support for this publication would benefit all composites producers. “Manufacturers are turning to their suppliers more and more with questions about being able to comply with the new regulations. We saw our involvement in the publishing of this book as a way to help look out for the manufacturer, whether they are an HK customer or not,” stated Higgins.

For more information or to order a copy of Emission Control Strategies – A Guide for Composites Manufacturers, contact Ray Publishing at 303-467-1776.

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