From Symposium to Shop Floor: Thermal Spray Leaders Gather in Peoria for the ITSA Annual Meeting and Symposium

Thermal spray industry leaders gathered in Peoria, Ill., for the International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA) Annual Meeting and Symposium held November 10–12.

Attendees traveled from across the United States, Canada, and Australia to learn about the latest developments in thermal spray technology, additive manufacturing, and other advancements.

Experts Share Insights and Solutions

The event took place at the historic Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette. As home to Caterpillar Inc., a manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, engines, and turbines, Peoria provided an ideal backdrop as this year’s symposium focused on the impact of thermal spray technologies in heavy machinery, overhaul, and mining.

Attendees heard from over a dozen speakers on topics such as solutions for wear and corrosion resistance, hybrid coating technologies, leveraging cold spray for heavy machinery, executing thermal spray work in the field, advances in high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coatings, and sustainability. Also of interest to many attendees was a session on new legislation and IRS guidelines related to the R&D credit and what the new law means for credit claims, compliance, and strategy.

Inside the Heart of Heavy Machinery

The keynote speaker was Dan Sordelet, engineering fellow with the advanced materials technology team at Caterpillar.

Sordelet gave an overview of the company’s 100-year history, its products, and the importance of and need for surface engineering, including at Cat Reman, Caterpillar’s program for remanufacturing used parts. The process involves disassembling returned components, then cleaning, salvaging, or reconditioning all components before reassembling the part to meet original equipment manufacturer specifications.

Following Sordelet’s keynote, symposium attendees toured Caterpillar’s Building SS, the company’s track-type tractor assembly facility. Participants  received a guided tour around the plant to see how the company’s mid- and large-sized tractors (dozers) are assembled from start to finish. The facility receives fabricated components, including parts which are welded, machined, and painted at its LL facility, and uses them to build heavy machinery in the SS building. It is a key manufacturing site for Caterpillar, especially for large dozers, and part of the company’s long-standing presence in Peoria.

Opportunities Beyond the Sessions

Beyond the knowledge gained at this year’s sessions and the unique opportunity to see how Caterpillar’s largest dozers are assembled, the Peoria gathering allowed attendees to  meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and gain new business relationships. The opportunity to connect with peers started with a welcome reception on the evening of November 10. Attendees greeted each other and visited several tabletop exhibitors and sponsors set up around the room. Event sponsors included CTS, Cincinnati, Ohio; Polymet, West Chester, Ohio; and Superior Shot Peening International, Cleveland, Tex.  Exhibitors included Arzell Inc., Cypress, Tex.; Centerline, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; Progressive Surface, Kentwood, Mich.; SprayWerx Technologies Inc., North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Superior Shot Peening International, Cleveland, Tex.

Attendees had additional opportunities to visit exhibitors throughout the two-day event and to network during lunch, dinner, and networking breaks. Attending the meeting for the first time were AWS Vice President J Jones and Past President Dr. Richard Polanin, both of whom emphasized the importance of engaging with thermal spray leaders.

“Attending the ITSA conference was important because thermal spray technology plays a critical role in advancing welding and materials performance across industries. Being here allowed us to engage directly with innovators, understand emerging trends, and strengthen collaboration between AWS and ITSA. One key takeaway is the growing emphasis on sustainability (including green initiatives engaged through powder recovery and recycled materials) and precision in coating applications, which aligns perfectly with AWS’s mission to support cutting-edge solutions for manufacturing and repair,” said Jones.

Annual Business Meeting

Official ITSA business was conducted during the Annual Business Meeting. More than 30 members gathered to discuss updates and future endeavors.

ITSA Program Manager Adrian Bustillo provided updates on action items and financials, ITSA Membership Chair Jim Ryan introduced new members, AWS C2 Committee on Thermal Spray Chair Daniel Hayden shared news on the committee, ITSA Scholarship Chair Mollie Blasingame discussed ITSA scholarship applicants and opportunities, Education Chair Ana Duminie shared information about educational material revisions and a thermal spray training course, and ITSA Vice Chair Ashley Hunsaker led a vote on possible locations for the 2026 ITSA Annual Meeting and Symposium.

C2 Committee on Thermal Spraying

Before the ITSA welcome reception, the AWS C2 Committee on Thermal Spray held its annual meeting in conjunction with the ITSA event. The committee is responsible for creating and revising thermal spray standards.

“Both ITSA and C2 are built to serve the needs of thermal spray applicators, and the contributions of ITSA members are an essential part of what keeps our documents and standards relevant to the shops that use them. As with the other AWS committees, job shops are at the core of the work we do,” explained Hayden.

Looking Ahead

As the successful 2025 meeting wrapped up, ITSA’s planning committee began planning for the 2026 event. The annual meeting and symposium will take place next fall. Anyone interested in providing program input or assisting with the organization of the event is encouraged to contact ITSA Program Manager Adrian Bustillo at abustillo@aws.org.