Dave Crosley, our company founder, began to search for a new and emerging technology on which to start a business. The technology he pioneered was called barrier coat process paint stripping. These products were first introduced in 1972. David continued his extensive investigation to characterize the chemistry, understand and define the process limitations. He worked initially with silicate chemistries while screening hundreds of functional materials to find a better barrier coating than what Challenge was currently providing.

By 1982, Dave had pushed this initial technology to make it significantly better. His investigation of functional materials began to pay off and he developed a polymer that offered an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for process paint stripping.

At the same time, Thierica, a Grand Rapids, Michigan based equipment manufacturer, offered the first pressure flood mask washer. The equipment that had been cost prohibitive was coming of age.

Challenge expanded their product offerings to include product for metal pretreatment and metal working fluids, and, in 1994 development efforts led to non-chrome seal rinse technology.

David’s goal for Challenge was to establish a work environment based on sound environmental technologies, responsive customer service and quality products developed and manufactured to meet the specific needs of customers.