Scappoose, Oregon — Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center, Research and Development (OMIC R&D), a leading collaborative in advanced metals manufacturing technologies, is pleased to announce that QualiChem Metalworking Fluids has joined its membership as a Tier 2 member.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Salem, Virginia, QualiChem has grown from a specialty chemical startup into a leading global supplier of metalworking fluids, cleaners, and corrosion inhibitors. The company’s product line includes cutting and grinding fluids, straight oils, rust preventives, and metal-forming fluids used across a broad range of industries including aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and energy. QualiChem’s fluids are engineered to extend tool life, reduce downtime, and optimize the machining environment across a wide variety of materials and operations.
QualiChem’s membership is expected to have a meaningful impact on the machining research conducted at OMIC R&D’s state-of-the-art facility in Scappoose. Coolant and cutting fluid selection is a critical variable in precision machining operations, influencing surface finish, tool wear, thermal management, and overall process repeatability. By bringing QualiChem’s technical expertise and fluid portfolio directly into the research environment, OMIC R&D and its industry partners will have greater ability to evaluate, optimize, and validate fluid strategies alongside the advanced machine tools already in operation at the facility. This collaboration opens new avenues for applied research into difficult-to-machine materials and complex multi-axis machining processes, areas of growing demand among OMIC’s manufacturing partners.
“OMIC R&D is fortunate to have a membership that already includes strong representation from the metalworking fluids industry, and QualiChem’s addition only deepens that expertise,” said Don Hendrickson, Executive Director of OMIC R&D. “Every new member brings a unique perspective and body of knowledge, and QualiChem is no exception. We’re growing our collective understanding of how fluid technology intersects with advanced machining, and that benefits everyone in our network.”
“From a research standpoint, having QualiChem at the table is a real asset,” said Urmaze Naterwalla, Director of Research and Operations at OMIC R&D. “Cutting fluid performance is deeply intertwined with the outcomes we see in our machining research including tool life, surface integrity, process consistency. QualiChem’s expertise complements the knowledge already present within our membership and gives our research team another valuable resource to draw on as we take on increasingly complex projects.”
“Joining OMIC reflects QualiChem’s commitment to supporting the advancement of manufacturing through collaboration, innovation, and technical expertise. We look forward to working alongside fellow industry leaders to help drive progress in advanced metals manufacturing.” – John S. Wiley, Director of Global Marketing and European Operations.
OMIC R&D and QualiChem share a commitment to pushing the boundaries of advanced manufacturing and look forward to a productive collaboration that delivers real-world value for the manufacturers and researchers working within OMIC’s membership network.
For more information about OMIC R&D and its initiatives, please contact Jon Elias, Director of Marketing and Communications, at (503) 821-1155 or jon.elias@oit.edu. Additional details can also be found on our website at www.omic.us.
For more information about QualiChem Metalworking Fluids, visit www.qualichem.com or contact QualiChem directly at metalworkinginfo@qualichem.com
About QualiChem Metalworking Fluids
QualiChem Metalworking Fluids is a global supplier of high-performance metalworking fluids, cleaners, and corrosion inhibitors. Since 2004, QualiChem has redefined expectations for fluid technology and supplier support, offering a comprehensive product portfolio backed by ISO 9001 manufacturing and dedicated on-site technical and laboratory services. QualiChem’s solutions serve industries ranging from aerospace and defense to medical devices and semiconductors, with manufacturing facilities in Salem, Virginia; Bendorf, Germany; and Puchong, Malaysia.