Canlak Coatings Changes a Neighborhood By Changing Oil To Water
Canlak Coatings’ innovative waterbased formulations literally changed the neighborhood around the Raywal Cabinets facility in Thornhill, Ontario. And the benefits could not be more clear for everyone involved. Raywal’s main production facility is located in a mixed-use residential neighborhood in Thornhill, Ontario and required the use of a thermal oxidizer to keep solvent-based volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) at bay. But high operating costs and the need to potentially invest heavily in a refurbishment project left Raywal wondering what the best path to success could be.
Background
Raywal Cabinets was firmly invested in using solvent-based coatings for all of their finishing needs, working with some of the biggest coatings companies for over 50 years (check reference). This allowed Raywal the comfort of knowing that their finishes would perform consistently each and every time. But over time, there were issues with their solvent-based formulations that were becoming more difficult to overcome, and frustrations with coating companies’ support for these challenges were leading to frustration. Combined with the need to overhaul the thermal oxidizer, Raywal was at a point where a big decision was needed: invest heavily in the overhaul of the thermal oxidizer and stay committed to solvent based finishes; move the facility to a new location, eliminating the need for the thermal oxidizer but still relying on solvent based coatings; or some other way to reduce costs, keep consistency and reliability of finishes while staying put in Kitchener.
The Move to Water-Based Coatings
Canlak Coatings was already a supplier of certain solvent based formulas for Raywal, having been asked to bid on some business because of issues from other coatings companies. As a dual supplier to Raywal, Canlak Coatings level of technical service and support was evident from the start, and led to a series of wins with Raywal on the solvent side, including all of the paint business. So when Canlak proposed moving Raywal over to water-based formulations, there was interest if not confidence in water.
With a level of support that is unparalleled in the industry, Canlak set about proving not only the benefits of durability and viability of water-based finishes, but also an improved workplace environment, a much-cleaner environmental footprint, and a happier and healthier neighborhood. Not to mention a significant yearly cost savings, less waste and less customer complaints.
The Result
After an exhaustive series of tests and trials with Raywal, showing the unparalled level of technical service , support, training and testing, Canlak Coatings was able to improve Raywal’s business and win 100% of their finishes business.
Now the thermal oxidizer is a memory, bringing savings that was ultimately better invested in new equipment to help further improve Raywal’s bottom line. And best of all, water-based finishes have been proven to be the equal of the solvent based finishes while improving workplace quality & performance.
