Massillon's Tesla NanoCoatings, Weston partner on coating for bulk tanks, add jobs

MASSILLON ‒ Six months of research has led to the development of a specialized coating to protect metal bulk storage tanks from corrosion.

Tesla NanoCoatings worked with Weston & Associates to develop the coating that will be applied to tank systems made by Weston. The collaboration has led to a new product and developed a new client for Tesla NanoCoatings.

Meanwhile, Weston & Associates is preparing a facility on Oberlin Road SW where it will begin manufacturing pieces for storage tanks.

Todd Hawkins, president and chief executive officer at Tesla NanoCoatings, and Andrew Feucht, president of Weston & Associates, have known each other for years but only began collaborating earlier this year.

Weston had been installing bulk tanks manufactured by other companies. The company installed liquid and dry bulk storage tanks of the oil and natural gas industry, food companies, water and wastewater, and mining and cement companies, along with others.

Feucht said the company's client base has grown and that led to a need for Weston to create its own products with a coating to fight corrosion. "It's what really encouraged us to push into a nanocoating," he said.

Tesla has developed a variety of coatings that use carbon nanotubes that self assemble into rope structures. It makes the coating highly conductive, tough and flexible.

Hawkins said Tesla NanoCoatings has focused on working with customers that need coatings for harsh conditions, such as offshore drilling rigs. The company has established relationships with many leading customers that need coatings to protect in highly corrosive environments, he said. Having established that client base, Tesla NanoCoatings can explore new markets.

Feucht said Weston had been making stainless steel tanks for some customers but needed to work with other materials that cost less than stainless but provided similar durability. So Weston turned to Tesla NanoCoatings.

"It's the perfect scenario for both of us to be working together," Hawkins said

Weston is developing a production center on Oberlin Road SW with help from Putman Properties, based in Jackson Township. The production center is two miles from Tesla NanoCoatings' office and warehouse in downtown Massillon. The two companies have been able to collaborate on a high level and create a custom coating for Weston.

Meanwhile, Weston hopes to begin producing parts used to assemble its tank systems. The company's goal is to produce 75,000 panels per year, with most of the panels sized at 5-by-10 feet. Each panel will be coated with the material developed by Tesla NanoCoatings and Weston.

Feucht said the coating will provide maximum life for the tank. Where most tanks will need to be replaced or recoated within 20 to 30 years, indications are tanks covered with the Tesla NanoCoatings material will last 50 years or longer with minimal need for repairs or recoating. That leads to a better return on investment for customers, Feucht said.

Weston expects to be in full production later this month. It means about 75 new jobs at the Massillon facility where the parts are made.

Hawkins also anticipates the need to hire additional workers at Tesla NanoCoatings.

"We make each other better, and we make our community better," Hawkins said.

Hilscher-Clarke expands in Columbus

After several years of serving customers in the Columbus area, Hilscher-Clarke Electric Co. has established operations there with the acquisition of Cochran Electric, based in Powell..

HC Columbus will operate as a satellite of Hilscher-Clarke's 106-year-old Canton business. Bill Cochran will lead the operation in central Ohio.

The deal came together because both companies have a similar culture and core values, Hilscher-Clarke officials said.

Hilscher Clarke had been performing electrical construction in the Columbus area primarily for the data center market. That was a change from the work the company did in heavy industrial markets such as steel, food processing and other manufacturing segments.

HC Columbus will provide full electrical contract services in central Ohio, covering a variety of industries that include teledata and cryptocurrency mining. The operation joins Hilscher Clarke divisions service greater Akron, Coshocton, and the Tri-State area out of Toronto.

Marcus Allen selected as director on Hall of Fame Resort board

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Marcus Allen has been appointed as a director with the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co.

Michael Crawford, president and chief executive officer with Hall of Fame Resort, said the board is excited to welcome a "true living legend in the game of professional football" as a member. Allen "will be a key ambassador for the HOFV (Hall of Fame Resort) brand and the Hall of Fame Village, and we very much look forward to his input as a full-time Board member.”

Allen said he's impressed by the progress Hall of Fame Resort has made over the past tow years with development of Hall of Fame Village, a football-themed entertain complex surrounding the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "Seeing has definitely been believing as I’ve been able to experience first-hand during this past Enshrinement Week all that the Hall of Fame Village has to offer its guests and fans," Allen said in a press release.

Allen played 16 seasons in the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Minerva Dairy hires CFO

Steven H. Lefkowitz has joined family-owned Minerva Dairy as the chief financial officer.

Fifth-generation co-owner Venae Watts said Lefkowitz will be key to driving the company's strategic plan thanks to "his timely, accurate, and relevant financial and operational planning and execution.”

Lefkowitz is an Ohio native and since 2019 has been chief financial officer for ChromeScape, a specialty chemical manufacturing company in Twinsburg. During the past four decades, he's held financial management positions with Tire Centers, Monarch Steel and Alco Manufacturing.

Vehicle sales remain low in region

New vehicle dealerships in Northeast Ohio reported a 24.7% drop in July sales, according to the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association.

Dealerships in the 21-county region, including Stark County, reported selling 15,384 vehicles in Jule, down from 20,426 sold during July 2021. So far this year, dealers report selling 115,572 vehicles, a 25% drop from 153,945 during the first seven months of last year.

Inventory shortages and inflation are seen as key factors driving the ongoing decline in sales, Louis A. Vitantonio, the association's president said in a press release.

Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com On Twitter: @epritchardREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Tesla NanoCoatings, Weston & Associates develop storage tank coating