MVP 2010 News
May 18, 2010
The Hedger Family
FRP INDUSTRY PIONEER DIES
Clearwater, FL - MVP Founder, Jim Hedger, Sr. Passes Away
Magnum Venus Plastech is saddened to announce the passing of an FRP Industry pioneer, Mr. Jim Hedger Sr. on April 29th, 2010.
Many people might say they have been in fiberglass since the beginning, but Mr. Hedger really was. When this industry was still in its infancy he saw its potential and become involved as a distributor of fiberglass equipment products that included the lines of Binks, Poly-Craft, and eventually GlasCraft. He was there when the guns were rudimentary and pressure pots were the equipment of choice - and he was ignorant with the rest regarding the potential hazards. It was an exciting time for him and he loved the challenge of helping something grow. He was there with the beginnings that included people like Frank Ives of Venus, Jim Cavanaugh of Poly-Craft, and Jay Johnston of Glas-Craft - men that were pioneers and visionaries. Although only involved as a distributor in the early days, Jim Hedger, Sr. was every bit a visionary as they were.
Mr. Hedger began his career with Graves Spray Supply, Inc. in 1951, and spent a few years in various jobs, learning the business top to bottom before taking over as the head of the company. As the leader of the largest distributor of paint spray equipment in the United States, Mr. Hedger cemented relationships with customers like Ford, Chrysler, GM, GE and many more.
As an employer, Jim was not only respected but loved by his employees. He had a way about him that made you feel that you, as an employee, were an important part of his business plan. He had a captivating smile that disarmed you and made you feel comfortable. On more than one occasion a former employee has been quizzed about what it is like to work for Jim Hedger, Sr. and the response was “I would have no problem going back to work for ‘Mr. Jim’.”
He was a man that commanded respect from not only employees but by business associates at every level. This respect came from the high level of character that he demonstrated on personal and business issues. He had a relationship with Burke Roche where even Mr. Roche gave him respect. One story goes that Mr. Hedger, on entering Mr. Roche’s office, exhorted him to get out of his office and spend more time with his people. That recommendation was put into practice almost immediately by Mr. Roche. You may not have liked what Jim had to say, but you knew he was giving it to you straight and you could count on him all the way.
Mr. Hedger was known in various ways. Within the FRP industry Mr. Hedger and his sons have worked closely with many of the industry experts for years on research and testing of new technologies to improve the industry. He was a great business man with a talent to work numbers that confounded the accountants. He was a strong business man in his dealings but always fair and always showing respect to the parties involved. He was a visionary that always strove for improvements whether in the products his company produced or business procedures within his company. He was never afraid to change and that work ethic drove him to bring new or improved products to market. He was a common sense man that tried to run his business like a household and was often heard to say…”that is how the government should be running this country…spend within your means.” Outside of the industry he was a generous man supporting employees in need, friends, strangers, and many charities while never looking for credit or recognition. He was an accomplished golfer who also enjoyed spending many free hours fishing, and he was a model family man.
Mr. Hedger was a driving force in bringing new technology and his first impact on the FRP industry was to recognize the value of “airless air-assist” in the spray-up applications. That decision led to Graves Spray Supply creating its own manufacturing division in 1983 known as Magnum Industries. This took the company from solely a distributor to a manufacturer of cutting edge technology for the betterment of the FRP industry. Magnum received a patent for the use of airless air-assist technology used in FRP in 1986.
During the 1980’s and early 1990’s, Mr. Hedger personally guided the development of new equipment that would anticipate the market’s next requirement, and meet customer’s needs. However, the most important and exciting innovation in spray application was yet to come.
In the 1990’s, governmental regulatory agencies began to investigate the effects of high styrene levels in the workplace. Seeing the struggles that his customer’s were having in trying to meet the new regulations placed on them, and working with the CFA (now ACMA), and utilizing the extensive data that the organization was able to collect from tests run at Dow, Mr. Hedger was able to determine the direction Magnum needed to go. Under Mr. Hedger’s guidance Magnum’s engineers continued to look into new ways of lowering emissions while improving application. The results of that research completely changed the face of “spray-up”.
Released in 2000, Fluid Impingement Technology (FIT®) was to become the industry standard for achieving low emissions that exceeded MACT standards. The levels to which FIT® lowered styrene emission surprised even those who developed the technology. Not only was FIT® able to help customers meet the new government guidelines, but it also provided a more uniform application of materials.
In 2000 Mr. Hedger learned that he had the opportunity to acquire one of his most respected competitors. Successful negotiations were concluded that summer, and Venus Products became part of Magnum Industries. Forming a new company, Magnum Venus Products (MVP), Mr. Hedger personally oversaw the integration of the two companies and their technologies. Magnum Venus Products was now the largest FRP equipment manufacturer in the world, serving the needs of the small “mom and pop” shop to supplying the demands of large automated and Advanced FRP operations. Receiving the U.S. patent on FIT® in 2001, MVP became the only company at that time able to ensure its customers that they would meet and exceed governmental regulations while producing a consistently superior product.
Seeing the steady move of the industry toward more closed mold (RTM) production, led MVP to the purchase of Plastech Thermoset Tectonics. In December 2006, Magnum Venus Products became Magnum Venus Plastech - the largest Composites equipment manufacturer in the world.
Overall, from his humble beginnings in a small store front shop selling paint equipment, to owning and managing the largest and most sophisticated manufacturer of composites equipment worldwide, Jim Hedger, Sr. was a leader in the FRP industry. No small achievement. With all that he brought to our world of FRP, we hope the distinguished members of the ACMA would consider it fitting to bestow the Life-Time Achievement Award posthumously to Mr. Hedger.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, great businessman and visionary, a leader in FRP and a good man...an enviable legacy and testimony for any person. He now leaves his business in the hands of his family who he mentored – allowing them to follow in his footsteps and fulfill his plans and dreams.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, 6 children, 26 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
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