Live from FABTECH 2021: Bill Heuer and Paul Peterson

While automation is prevalent in many aspects of manufacturing, finishing and liquid applications have been slower to find the right solutions. Derek DeGeest, host of Manufacturing a Stronger Standard, spoke with Product Marketing Manager Bill Heuer and Worldwide Sales Director for Automation-Liquid Finishing Paul Peterson of Graco at FABTECH 2021 about their partnership as a LestaUSA Authorized Equipment Partner in automating painting with robotics.

“There’s been a trend of moving from manual to automatic, and the pandemic highlighted the need for this. Finding painters is hard as well,” Heuer said. 

“Almost everything needs some type of finishing. Some companies also used to outsource this but now need to bring it back in with this new equipment,” Peterson explained. 

Graco and LestaUSA partnered to bring automation of liquid applications to the market in an accessible way. LestaUSA provides the robotics, while Graco provides the finishing products. 

Graco was LestaUSA’s first equipment partner, working together to create an easy-to-use solution. 

“The automation trend is here to stay. Automotive was an early adopter, and now the general industry is catching on. With new capabilities like the ability to change colors, automation answers the need here,” Heuer shared. 

“We’ve figured it out together. There’s a great relationship between our engineers,” Peterson added.

At FABTECH 2021, DeGeest, Heuer, and Peterson described the automation process of taking the paint sprayers and moving them from an operator’s hand to a Lesta robot as simple. Everything is programable and controllable in real-time, which also helps bridge the gap in recruiting new workers into the field, such as robotics programmers. “It’s much more fun to use a Lesta robot than suit up and go into a paint booth,” Peterson commented.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More
ham radios
Hamvention 2025: ICOM Ham Radios Inspire Beginners and Veteran Operators Alike
July 9, 2025

Dayton Hamvention 2025 drew amateur radio hobbyists of all experience levels who shared stories and personal milestones. ICOM ham radios took center stage in many of these testimonials, featuring longtime fans to new licensees discovering the hobby through family and school. Attendees praised the reliability, sound quality, and ease of use of models like…

Read More
global radio enthusiasts
Dayton Hamvention 2025: Global Radio Enthusiasts Rely on Icom Radios for Versatility and Reliable Performance
July 9, 2025

Radio operators from around the world gathered at Dayton Hamvention 2025 to share firsthand stories of connection, experimentation, and gear that stands the test of time. As digital modes, satellite operation, and mobile setups continue to grow in popularity, global radio enthusiasts reaffirmed Icom as a trusted choice across all experience levels.. A diverse…

Read More