Interview with Jennifer Lunn, Our New Product Manager for Metal Forming Lubricants
Jennifer Lunn is FUCHS’ newest Product Manager for our Metal Forming Lubricants and Mill Applied Corrosion Preventatives. Jen comes to FUCHS with more than 20 years of experience in the metalworking fluid industry as both a chemist and product manager. We sat down with Jen to ask her about the current challenges the metalworking industry is facing and how FUCHS fluids can help.
What challenges does the metalworking industry currently face?
I think there are several key challenges facing the metalworking industry right now. Lightweighting, sustainability, raw material shortages, and the growing use/change in metals being machined. All of these challenges put a strain on metalworking fluid formulators.
How can metalworking fluids address these challenges?
Sustainability can be achieved in various ways. The use of renewable resources is two-fold; these additives and base stocks decrease dependency on mineral oils while providing outstanding performance and extending the metalworking fluid operating life if properly maintained/formulated. They can also lessen stresses in the machining process by maximizing throughput and decreasing the energy required to cut or form the final pieces, lowering the overall cost of production and waste to dispose of.
As more aluminum is being formed and machined for lightweighting in automotive production, renewable resources that are naturally more polar provide the necessary lubrication to form and cut these parts. Unfortunately, metalworking fluids don’t lend themselves to easy reformulation to account for raw material shortages. Identifying additives that are multipurpose can lower the overall number of components in the final formulation which can help minimize raw material complexity. Working with suppliers to identify multiple sources at the time of development can also lessen the strain when one or more become unavailable.
What sets FUCHS apart from companies offering metalworking fluids?
From my short time here, I think the thing that sets FUCHS apart from other companies is the people. It doesn’t matter what amazing technology is available to the market, you need to have the right people in the right positions to maximize the value. In addition, the metalworking fluids industry is built upon relationships. People make those relationships and FUCHS values that.
What is your favorite part about working at FUCHS?
The excitement of meeting new people, learning new things, and the very warm welcome I’ve received from everyone. I’ve felt like a part of the team from day one. I also love seeing the relationships with customers and the focus on “MOVING YOUR WORLD.” Innovation has always been very important to me, and I am happy to be part of a company that values it as much as I do.
