In the competitive landscape of the marine industry, American Safety Technologies (AST) stands as a distinguished manufacturer of anti-slip coatings with a legacy spanning more than 80 years. AST is among the few brands approved by the U.S. Navy for use on its vessels and has been proudly providing products to the branch for decades. Collaborating on multiple occasions with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Navy's coating authority, AST significantly aids in developing new systems to meet the Navy's needs. 

A cornerstone of this enduring legacy is the invaluable contribution of veteran personnel, notably within the AST Military & Marine Division. To provide some insight into the veteran and active duty experience working at AST, veterans and current AST Military & Marine Regional Managers Alex Diaz and Stacey Schlosser share their point of view. 

Seamless Transition

The knowledge and skills that veterans possess are honed through years of practical, on-the-job training that is immediately transferable to our current roles in the private sector. Navy veterans, in particular, arrive with exposure to the end product and familiarity with nautical terminology that helps them add immediate value. 

As former U.S. Naval Officers ourselves, we bring a combined 54 years of active-duty experience. This experience helps us serve as a link between the research and development (R&D) team and our customers’ needs. We engage in monthly R&D meetings and work closely with the marketing team to form a collaborative connection that ensures AST stays abreast of the latest industry trends and emerging technologies. Additionally, our military backgrounds augment the identification and recruitment of well-suited candidates for the AST team. 

On the marketing front, Gerry Messina, Head of Marketing for the Adhesives, Coatings, and Sealants business unit that includes AST, served as an officer in the Air Force Reserve and leads the marketing team with a clear vision for the needs and aspirations of the end users. Quenton Roehricht, Product Manager, currently serves as an officer in the Navy Reserve. Roechricht brings a wealth of knowledge in understanding the media dynamics and Department of Defense copyright guidelines, which greatly supports AST marketing efforts.

End User Familiarity

A proficient sales and marketing force is often characterized by deep understanding of customer needs; at AST, veteran personnel understand customer needs from personal experience. Specifically, our prior roles as end-users of military systems on aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships equip us with a distinct understanding of fleet requirements and shipboard safety concerns. 

Having both worked within the Naval Aviation Enterprise, we followed similar career trajectories and served the role of aircraft handling officers. Our primary duty was ensuring the safe movement of aircraft on the ship. A crucial part of this was maintaining the non-skid system on the flight deck and hangar bay to prevent aircraft and equipment from sliding, thus helping reduce aircraft mishaps and personnel injuries while enhancing the organization's operational readiness. The AST non-skid system was our top safety tool, and vital to ensuring a safe and functional deck for handling heavy aircraft.

We were introduced to AST products early on in our careers and always considered them to be premium. Our previous roles as liaisons between end users and government contractors facilitated our smooth transitions to AST and helped us strengthen the relationship between AST, the fleet, and contractors in our regions.

Demonstrating Impact and Fostering Relationships

A noteworthy success story came when we used our military network to record a training video on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The video provides step-by-step training on how to apply the non-skid coating and an example of how the U.S. Navy maintains the surface integrity of air-capable vessels. Furthermore, the team's vast experience and sound judgment have earned the trust of entities like Newport News Shipyard, which has integrated recommendations from AST into a multi-million-dollar project.

AST has a long-standing relationship with NAVSEA's Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), which is strengthened by our veteran personnel. At AST, we strive to maintain our reputation as the "go-to" provider of non-skid solutions to the U.S. Navy. So, when the NRL communicates a need, our team proudly delivers solutions. We’ve collaborated directly with government authorities to develop a cold cure system usable down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which we currently provide as our MS-8000 series and 11CZ primer. More recently, there was a need for a low-density qualified system. A qualified AST product already met the requirement, so we were able to seamlessly provide a solution without the need for further R&D. Currently, we are working with the NRL to extend the shelf life of non-skid systems. 

Aligning Around Culture

We have found that conversations with current and former military teammates reveal a shared appreciation for the culture at AST. Above all, we value the supportive working environment and appreciate a leadership team that allows us to foster new ideas based on extensive naval experience.

Veteran personnel at AST are integral to our work in marine safety technologies, ensuring every challenge is met with expertise, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. In particular, the Navy veterans within our teams provide a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of the marine sector's dynamics.

For more information and to reach us directly, please see here: https://holcimast.com/find-your-rep-military-marine-coatings/. 

Disclaimer: Holcim is proud to provide products to the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense; however, Holcim makes no reference to any endorsements or partnerships by the Navy or Department of Defense and is not formally endorsed by the Navy or Department of Defense.