From Alaska to Memphis: The Evolution of Heat Shrink Technology

 

“Long distance information, get me Memphis, Tennessee!”

That’s where this stop takes us—June of 1976. The pipeline industry was in the middle of a quiet but important transition, and once again, innovation was being driven by necessity.

Not long before this, Raychem had made a name for itself by developing coatings used on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. One of those key products, Arcticlad, was engineered for extreme conditions—applied with specialized equipment on the unforgiving slopes of Alaska.

But as with most innovations, the next challenge wasn’t invention—it was adaptation.

By the time we arrive in Memphis, Raychem is working to modify that same Arcticlad technology for a much more practical application: coating pipe bends in the field—without the need for large, specialized equipment.

This was a big deal.

Bends have always been tricky. Unlike straight pipe, they introduce geometry that doesn’t cooperate easily with rigid or pre-formed coatings. The goal here was to create something flexible, field-friendly, and reliable—without sacrificing performance.

What we see in these early applications is a product that works… but still has some growing up to do.

Today, that evolution has led us to Flexclad Heat Shrinkable Tape—a far more refined and contractor-friendly solution.

Available in:

• 2", 3", and 4" widths
• 50-foot rolls

Flexclad is designed specifically for applications like these—tight geometries, field installs, and situations where simplicity matters. Even better, it’s readily available and kept in stock at our production facility in Conroe, Texas, just outside The Woodlands.

The photos from that 1976 Memphis job tell a familiar story—one that anyone who has ever worked with a “new” product can appreciate.

It’s a bit clunky.

You’ve got:

Hand application

One person dedicated to running a torch just to keep the pipe preheated

Constant adjustments to get the material to cooperate

And the result?

Functional—but not exactly pretty.

Wrinkles show up throughout the installation. At first glance, you might assume poor adhesion or trapped air. But in reality, those wrinkles are something different: pockets of adhesive that cooled too quickly, before the heat-shrink backing had a chance to fully conform and smooth out the surface.

In other words—it wasn’t a failure. It was a process still being refined.

What makes this moment in Memphis interesting isn’t just the product—it’s the process.

This is what innovation actually looks like in the field:

• Trial and error
• Imperfect installations
• Learning how materials behave outside of controlled environments

Those early “good enough” results laid the groundwork for the solutions we take for granted today.

Modern products like Flexclad eliminate many of those early challenges:

• Easier handling
• More forgiving installation
• Consistent performance across a range of conditions

The jump from Arcticlad on the Alaskan slopes to Flexclad in today’s field applications is a great example of how the industry evolves—not in giant leaps, but in steady, practical improvements.

Memphis, 1976 wasn’t about perfection. It was about progress.

And sometimes, a few wrinkles are just part of getting there.

A Look Back at Innovation (and Cigarettes) on the Pipeline Right-of-Way

 

Let’s start with the real question—because you know it crossed your mind too: back in the 1970s, how many packs of cigarettes did a pipeline crew go through in a single day? A carton? More? Honestly… I’d believe it.

Different time, different jobsite culture. And while a lot has changed since then, one thing hasn’t: the constant push to solve problems in the field.

We’re still in Bakersfield, California, in the early days of wrap-around shrink sleeve technology. At this point, the industry was transitioning from tubular sleeves—an important innovation, but one that came with limitations.

This particular project introduces a new challenge: an insulated pipeline.

The original tubular sleeves developed by Raychem were designed to slide over the pipe before welding. That works well—until insulation enters the picture.

With an insulated line, a tubular sleeve would have needed to:

• Be large enough to fit over the insulation during installation
• Still be capable of shrinking tightly down onto the steel pipe

That’s a big ask.

This is where the wrap-around shrink sleeve starts to shine.

Instead of sliding over the pipe, it wraps around the joint after welding—making it far more adaptable, especially in cases like insulated lines or field repairs.

It’s another example of Raychem doing what they did best:

• Thinking ahead
• Solving problems before they became widespread
• Constantly innovating for new applications 

It’s a mindset you still see today from companies like Henkel—always working multiple angles and anticipating what the market will need next.

Now, if you take a closer look at this particular installation… it’s not winning any awards.

There are visible wrinkles in the closure strip—something that would raise eyebrows today. But context matters:

• The technology was brand new
• Installers were still learning the process
• Best practices were being developed in real time

So if you happen to be the installer from 1976 reading this—no disrespect. You were laying the groundwork the rest of the industry would build on.

A Game-Changer in the Field: The Introduction of Wraparound Shrink Sleeves

 

Let’s set the scene: it’s the mid-1970s, and we’re heading to Bakersfield, California—right in the heart of pipeline country. At this point in time, the industry is on the verge of a meaningful shift with the introduction of a new solution: the wraparound shrink sleeve, commonly referred to as WPC.

At first glance, it might not sound revolutionary. But for contractors working in the field, this innovation was a big deal.

Flexibility Comes to the Jobsite

Prior to wraparound sleeves, field joint coatings often required pre-installed tubular sleeves. That meant planning ahead—sometimes far ahead—and physically sliding those sleeves down long sections of pipe to reach the weld joint. As you can imagine, that wasn’t always practical.

With the introduction of wraparound shrink sleeves, contractors suddenly had flexibility. They could complete their welds first and then return later to apply the coating. This was especially valuable in real-world conditions, where field joint coatings are frequently ordered at the last minute. Instead of scrambling or working around logistical headaches, crews could simply bring the material to the weld and install it on the spot.

In short, it made life a whole lot easier.

Built to Perform

Early versions of these sleeves looked a bit different than what you’ll see today—some even featured a bold “RAYCHEM” print across the closure. But while the appearance has evolved, the core technology has remained remarkably consistent.

At the heart of the system is a high-shear adhesive designed to bond quickly and securely to polyethylene (PE) surfaces. Even under elevated temperatures, the adhesive maintains its grip—an essential characteristic for pipeline integrity.

Over time, enhancements were made to improve performance even further. One key addition was the incorporation of a fiber mesh within the closure, providing extra strength to resist the forces generated by high-shrink materials. These refinements helped ensure reliability across a wider range of conditions.

Expanding the Possibilities

The introduction of WPC didn’t just solve a logistical problem—it opened the door to an entire family of solutions. With this new format, manufacturers like Raychem were able to expand their product offerings to address a variety of applications, operating temperatures, and environmental challenges.

What started as a practical innovation in the field quickly became a foundational technology, shaping the way pipeline coatings would be applied for decades to come.

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From a modern perspective, it’s easy to take wraparound sleeves for granted. But back in the 1970s, this was a pivotal moment—one that brought much-needed flexibility, efficiency, and performance to pipeline construction and maintenance.

Understanding Covalence’s WPCT Thermal Indicator: A Built-In Inspection Tool

For those who may not be familiar, WPCT from Covalence is a wrap-around heat-shrinkable sleeve designed for pipeline corrosion protection. One of the most interesting features of this product is its built-in thermal indicator, which essentially acts as a built-in inspection tool for installers and inspectors in the field.

When the sleeve is first supplied, the backing material displays a distinct cross-hatch pattern. This pattern is intentional and serves a very practical purpose.

During installation:

• Before heating: The sleeve shows the cross-hatch pattern across the backing.

• During proper heating: As the installer applies heat, the backing begins to shrink.

• After reaching the correct temperature: The cross-hatch pattern disappears and becomes smooth.

That smooth appearance indicates two important things have happened:

1. The sleeve has shrunk as much as the pipe substrate allows.

2. The mastic sealant has reached the correct temperature to properly flow and fill, ensuring a complete seal around the pipe.

In other words, the visual change from cross-hatched to smooth confirms that the sleeve has reached the proper installation temperature.

For pipeline inspectors and coating crews, this built-in indicator provides a simple but powerful benefit: instant visual confirmation of proper installation.
This type of backing technology isn’t limited to WPCT alone. Variations of the same thermal indicator backing are used across several products in the Covalence lineup, including:
Despite many innovations in pipeline coating systems over the years, Covalence heat shrink sleeves remain widely used both in the United States and around the world. Their durability, ease of inspection, and reliable sealing performance continue to make them a trusted choice for field joint coatings.

Rather than relying solely on temperature guesses or installer experience, the sleeve itself provides feedback. If the cross-hatch pattern remains visible, more heat is required. When the backing becomes smooth, the sleeve has reached the correct thermal state.

This feature helps improve:

• Installation consistency

• Inspection confidence

• Long-term coating performance

This same backing is used with the following products (and some that I haven't listed)

• WPCT

• WPC65M

• WPC100M

• HTLP60

• HTLP80

• WPC120

• TPS

Each of these products utilizes similar heat-shrink technology designed to provide reliable sealing and corrosion protection for pipeline field joints.

Today, Covalence operates as part of Seal For Life / Henkel, and the technology traces its origins back to the pioneering pipeline innovations of Raychem Corporation.

Even decades after their introduction, these heat-shrink systems continue to prove that simple visual engineering can make a big difference in the field.

 

From the Jungle to the Jobsite: Raychem LTPS in Iquitos, Peru (1975)

 Get your passports ready — we’re heading to Iquitos, Peru, July 1975.

The project? A 24” crude oil pipeline.
The setting? Deep in the Amazon.
The timing? Right at the beginning of a coating revolution.

When this line was being built, Raychem’s pipeline division was barely two or three years old. The division really began gaining traction around 1972–1973, meaning this Peru project happened while the market was still very much in its infancy.

At the time, traditional field joint protection methods like:

• Cold-applied tape

• “Granny ragging”

• Other hand-applied systems

were the norm.

And then came heat-shrink technology.

Raychem’s LTPS (Large Tubular Pipe Sleeves) were quickly becoming a serious disruptor. For many contractors, this was their first exposure to a system that combined:

• Factory-engineered consistency

• Strong technical performance

• Faster, more predictable application

• Improved long-term corrosion resistance

Compared to traditional methods, tubular shrink sleeves offered something different: engineered performance rather than improvised craftsmanship in the ditch.

(And yes — if you’re still a believer in granny ragging as the pinnacle of technical achievement, we can respectfully agree to disagree.)

It’s important to remember where we are in the timeline.

In 1975, Raychem had not yet introduced the wraparound shrink sleeve. That innovation was still about a year away. At this stage, LTPS products were slipped over the pipe before welding — a method that required planning but delivered strong, uniform protection once installed and shrunk.

The wraparound sleeve would eventually change field joint coating logistics forever. But in Iquitos, tubular sleeves were already proving that heat-shrink technology could compete — and win — against legacy systems.

Projects like this 24” crude oil line in Peru weren’t just installations — they were proving grounds.

They demonstrated that:

• Heat-shrink sleeves could perform in challenging environments.

• Application speed could improve without sacrificing technical performance.

• Innovation in field joint coatings was not only possible — it was necessary.

In 1975, the pipeline coating market was just beginning to evolve. What seemed disruptive then is now standard practice.

And it all happened one joint at a time — even in the middle of the Amazon.

Revisiting a Milestone in Raychem History: The Great Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Challenge (August 1975)

 

In August of 1975, Raychem found itself at the center of a historic moment in the oil and gas industry. The Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, a massive undertaking that would transport oil from the Alaskan wilderness to the rest of the world, was facing significant delays. One of the primary challenges? A substantial amount of pipe coated with Fusion Bond Epoxy (FBE) had been left exposed to the harsh UV rays of the Alaskan sun for far too long. As a result, the FBE began to degrade, jeopardizing the integrity of the entire pipeline.

Enter Raychem: a company known for its innovative solutions, but this time, the task ahead was nothing short of extraordinary. Raychem was given a daunting proposition: find a way to re-coat thousands of feet of exposed pipe without needing to ship it anywhere. The clock was ticking, and the stakes were high.

Raychem’s team immediately sprang into action. They understood that solving this issue wasn’t just about fixing a problem; it was about developing a solution that could be deployed quickly and effectively in some of the most remote and challenging conditions on Earth.

The result? Arcticlad. A revolutionary product—a spiral-wrapped, heat-shrinkable tape—was born. This tape could coat long lengths of pipe with precision, effectively protecting the pipeline and preventing further damage from UV exposure. But there was one more hurdle to overcome: the installation. Raychem didn’t just create a new product; they also engineered the machinery needed to apply the Arcticlad tape in the field.

This was a true engineering marvel. The teams worked tirelessly, and within an incredibly short amount of time, they had a solution that was both effective and scalable.

The success of Arcticlad wasn’t just a technical win. It was a business triumph that would have lasting implications for Raychem’s future. The ability to offer a cost-effective, field-deployable solution allowed the company to generate significant revenue while cementing its reputation as a leader in pipeline coatings. This success didn’t just solve a problem—it set the stage for Raychem’s pipeline division to thrive in the years to come, establishing a legacy that would last for decades.

Thanks to the ingenuity, quick thinking, and relentless dedication of the Raychem team, the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline project became more than just a milestone—it was a defining moment that helped Raychem’s pipeline division flourish and remain a leader in the industry for many years.

This remarkable chapter in Raychem’s history shows how, with the right combination of innovation, determination, and teamwork, a challenge can be transformed into an opportunity that reshapes the future.

A Trip Back to 1975: Raychem LTPS in Corpus Christi, Texas

This week, we’re heading back in time—December 1975, to be exact—to beautiful Corpus Christi, Texas. The project? A pipeline installation featuring one of Raychem’s now-retired products: LTPS.

Based on old Raychem nomenclature (which, let’s be honest, was usually more practical than poetic), LTPS likely stood for “Large Tubular Pipe Sleeve.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—Raychem was incredibly creative when it came to products, backings, and sealants. When it came to naming them? Not so much!

This particular job involved 18-inch and 20-inch pipe, which meant these LTPS sleeves had to be installed before the pipe joints were welded. The process would have looked something like this:

1. Sleeve Placement (Pre-Weld)
   The shrink sleeve was slipped onto the pipe before welding took place.

2. Weld Completion
   Once the joint was welded, the crew prepared the weld area.

3. Surface Prep & Preheat
   The weld zone was cleaned thoroughly and preheated to at least 140°F—critical for proper adhesion and shrink performance.

4. Positioning the Sleeve
   The LTPS sleeve was then slid into place over the weld area.

5. Release Liner Removal
   The liner was removed to expose the adhesive.

6. Shrink It!
   Using a propane torch, the installer shrank the sleeve tightly over the joint, creating a protective, sealed coating.

LTPS has been a dead product for as long as I’ve been around. However, its smaller sibling—TPS—is still very much alive and well. Today, TPS sleeves are regularly sold for 2", 2.5", 3.5", 4.5", 6" and 8".

While product lines evolve, it’s always fascinating to see the roots of today’s solutions in these legacy installations.

What really makes this project memorable are the photos. In one shot, the installer is casually smoking a cigarette through the entire application process—while operating a propane torch.

Different times, indeed.

It’s wild to think that 1975 was 51 years ago. The industry has changed. Safety standards have changed. Product technology has changed. But there’s something timeless about looking back at these projects and appreciating the craftsmanship and ingenuity that laid the groundwork for where we are today.

Here’s to the legacy of LTPS—and to the crews who made it work in Corpus Christi, December 1975.

 

Waterwrap: A 50-Year Journey That Started with an Opportunity

 

It was October of 1975 when a team of Raychem pipeliners headed south to Grand Gulf, Mississippi with a simple goal: solve a real problem in the field.

At the time, the large-diameter pipe market was struggling with a familiar challenge—how to reliably coat field joints in a way that was consistent, repeatable, and practical for crews working under tough conditions. And in those days, when Raychem identified a need, the company didn’t hesitate. They saw opportunity.

In the mid-1970s, Raychem was best known for manufacturing tubular heat-shrink sleeves for oil and gas pipelines. One of the flagship products was the TSS (Tubular Shrink Sleeve). It worked well—but only when pipe sizes and logistics allowed for a sleeve that could slide over the pipe.

Large-diameter pipe created a new challenge. You couldn’t easily slip a tubular sleeve over it in the field. So Raychem’s engineers did what they did best: they invented something new.

The result was a wrap-around heat-shrink sleeve prototype designed specifically for large pipe. And what did they call it?

LTSS — Large Tubular Shrink Sleeve
(…even though it wasn’t actually supplied as a tube).

Raychem was exceptional at innovation and rapid R&D. Naming products? Maybe not their strongest suit—but the technology was what mattered.

Armed with LTSS sleeves and a team of field technicians, Raychem went to work evaluating the new design under real-world conditions. What’s fascinating—at least to those of us who live and breathe pipeline coatings—is that this LTSS prototype was the first generation of what we now know as Waterwrap.

Over the decades, that original concept evolved dramatically:

• Improved formulations

• New backing materials

• Multiple thickness options

• Enhanced performance for demanding environments

Each improvement built on the last, refining the product into something truly special.

Waterwrap Today

Fast-forward nearly 50 years, and Waterwrap stands as the premier field joint coating for water pipelines. It’s trusted around the world for its reliability, ease of installation, and long-term performance.

Even more impressive? Waterwrap has proven itself capable in weld-after-backfill applications—one of the most demanding scenarios a field joint coating can face.

Every proven product has a beginning. For Waterwrap, that beginning was a forward-thinking team in 1975, a job site in Mississippi, and a willingness to rethink how field joints could be protected.

So here’s to 1975 Raychem—seeing a problem, seizing an opportunity, and laying the groundwork for a product that’s still protecting pipelines half a century later.

Well done.

Waterwrap: Weld after backfill sleeve

 Coating CHALLENGE: Covalence Waterwrap (Weld After Backfill)

Today we’re taking a look at Covalence Waterwrap – Weld After Backfill (WAB), a product designed for one of the most demanding coating applications you’ll ever encounter.

Let’s start with the baseline challenge.

You’re dealing with massive, heavy pipe. It’s already in the ground. Preheating a pipe with that much thermal mass is no small task. Installation crews have to be absolutely disciplined—every square inch of the sleeve must be properly heated to ensure a reliable bond. None of this is easy on a good day.

Now add this twist:
the pipe is going to be welded after the sleeve has been installed.

Yeah… kind of nuts.

Don’t let the photo above fool you (I borrowed it from tomorrow’s history post, which goes all the way back to 1975). What’s interesting about that image isn’t just what you see—it’s what it represents.

The product shown, LTSS, was literally Raychem’s first serious attempt at developing a solution for large-diameter water lines. It was an important starting point, but very much a first pass.

Fast forward to today.

Waterwrap WAB is the result of dozens of generations of product evolution, refined over decades. Each iteration has been driven by real-world field experience—improving long-term performance on the pipe while simultaneously making life easier for installation crews. Better materials. Better installation tolerance. Better outcomes where failure simply isn’t an option.

That kind of evolution matters when you’re coating buried pipe, welding after backfill, and asking a system to perform flawlessly for decades underground.

If you’re in the water pipeline construction world and dealing with these kinds of challenges, we’d love to talk. There’s a lot of hard-earned history—and a lot of practical knowledge—behind today’s Waterwrap systems, and we’re always happy to share it.

Raychem Historical Snap Shot Series:

 Blast From the Past: San Juan, Puerto Rico — October 1975

This week’s blast from the past takes us to San Juan, Puerto Rico in October of 1975, and it’s a special one for more than one reason.

Front and center in this snapshot of pipeline history is JSI’s own Sam Damico, one of the founders of Joint Specialists. Beyond his technical skill, Sam was known as a genuinely good, kind, and generous person. He left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him, and he is deeply missed by many to this day.

At the time, the pipeline industry was still in the early days of Raychem’s pipeline solutions, and this project highlights one of the most innovative technologies of that era: GRS (Gas Repair Sleeves). These heat-shrink sleeves were designed to do something remarkable for their time—seal active, leaking natural gas lines without shutting them down.

The challenge in San Juan was a leaking flange, a situation that even today demands careful planning and execution. Sam tackled the repair using a GRS heat-shrink sleeve, a torch, and putty filler—simple tools by today’s standards, but cutting-edge technology back then. With skill, confidence, and experience, he successfully sealed the leak and restored integrity to the line.

Looking back, it’s impressive how much was accomplished with ingenuity, hands-on expertise, and a deep understanding of materials and application. These early successes laid the groundwork for many of the gas repair and sealing solutions we rely on today.

This moment isn’t just a piece of industry history—it’s a reminder of the people who helped build it.

Raychem / Covalence / Seal for Life WPC100M

 

WPC100M: A Proven Field Joint Coating with Decades of Reliability

For more than 30 years, WPC100M has been a trusted field joint coating—particularly in offshore applications. Its long-standing track record speaks for itself, making it a familiar and reliable solution for contractors and operators around the world.

One of the key advantages of WPC100M is its butyl mastic sealant, which makes the system extremely forgiving when it comes to surface preparation. Unlike many onshore coating systems, WPC100M does not require an anchor pattern to perform effectively. While it is widely recognized for offshore use, it’s worth noting that WPC100M is also commonly and successfully used in onshore applications.

From a performance standpoint, WPC100M offers impressive temperature capabilities. It is rated for service temperatures up to 212°F when applied over insulated or concrete-coated pipelines, and up to 176°F when in direct contact with soil or the ocean floor. These properties also allow WPC100M to function effectively as a jacket continuation, adding to its versatility in the field.

WPC100M is available in 11", 17", 24", and 34" widths, with custom sizes also available. This flexibility allows it to accommodate a wide range of pipe diameters and project requirements. Combined with a **rapid installation time—often just a few minutes per joint depending on pipe size—**WPC100M helps keep projects moving efficiently without sacrificing performance.

Compatibility is another strong point. WPC100M works seamlessly with nearly all commonly used factory-applied coatings, including polypropylene, making it easy to integrate into existing pipeline coating systems.

With decades of proven performance, fast installation, and broad compatibility, WPC100M remains an excellent choice for a wide range of field joint coating applications—both offshore and onshore.

Raychem History: GRS

 Tiptoeing Through History: Raychem’s GRS Sleeve in Stockton, CA (1975)

This week’s opportunity to tiptoe through history takes us back to Stockton, California, in 1975—a time when Raychem was grappling with a problem that was equal parts challenging and dangerous.

The issue? A leaking bell-and-spigot natural gas line.

That alone is serious enough. But this leak wasn’t out in the middle of nowhere. It was downtown—surrounded by buildings, roads, and plenty of traffic. Shutting everything down and replacing the line wasn’t always an option, so the question became: How do you safely stop a gas leak and permanently repair it in place?

Somewhere inside Raychem’s R&D group, a solution began to take shape. Looking back today, it’s a fascinating mix of caution, ingenuity, and confidence in their technology.

Here’s how the process worked.

First, crews would excavate and expose the leaking gas line. No shortcuts here—you had to clearly see what you were dealing with.

Next came the delicate part. Using a brass hammer and lead wool (chosen specifically to avoid sparks), the crew would carefully hammer the lead wool into the leaking area in an attempt to temporarily stop the gas flow.

Once that was done, soapy water was sprayed on the area to confirm the leak had been stymied. No bubbles meant it was time to move forward.

Cleaning the pipe was next—but again, safety was paramount. Surface preparation had to be done without introducing sparks. That meant sand blasting or using air-driven tools, such as a brass needle descaler.

With the surface as clean as conditions allowed, the GRS shrink sleeve was wrapped into place and secured using Raychem’s rail and channel system.

And then came the part that still makes people raise an eyebrow today…

Open flame.
Once everything was in position, the torch came out and the sleeve was shrunk down onto the pipe, forming a tight, sealed repair.

It sounds a little crazy when you read it now—open flame on a gas line in a busy downtown area—but the reality is this: GRS was an extremely successful product. Over its lifetime, it generated multi-millions of dollars in sales and was widely accepted as a reliable solution for this exact problem.

If memory serves, the GRS product line began to fade out in the late 1980s or early 1990s, giving it a solid 15+ year run in the field. That’s no small achievement, especially considering the demanding and hazardous applications it was designed to address.

Next week, we’ll revisit GRS once again—but this time, we’ll be heading to Puerto Rico for another chapter in its story.

 A Trip Down Memory Lane: Raychem’s Relentless Pursuit of “Better Than Good Enough”

For this week’s trip down memory lane, we’re heading back to Des Moines, Iowa — September 1974.

Last week, I shared the results of a Raychem product evaluation involving a shrink sleeve applied to corrugated pipe. The verdict? It didn’t go particularly well.

But if there’s one thing Raychem was known for, it was thoroughness. When a company invests a significant portion of its revenue into research and development, it doesn’t walk away from a challenging application after a single setback. Quite the opposite.

So the story continues.

This time, Raychem evaluated whether a heat-shrink sleeve could successfully seal a simple corrugated pipe connection. By most accounts, the results were… okay.

And that was the problem.

“Okay” was never the goal. In fact, good enough was never good enough in Raychem’s world. If a product didn’t meet the high standards Raychem was known for in the marketplace, it simply wasn’t acceptable—regardless of whether it technically worked.

That relentless mindset—pushing past acceptable and striving for truly dependable solutions—is a big reason Raychem became the industry leader it was. And thankfully, that same philosophy still lives on today within the Henkel family of companies.

Because real innovation isn’t about settling. It’s about learning, improving, and refusing to compromise—especially in demanding, real-world applications.

Up next week: heat-shrinkable sleeves used to repair leaking gas lines. You won’t want to miss it.

31 Years of Change, Consistency, and Commitment

 

Established in 1995, Joint Specialists (JSI) has truly seen it all. Over the past 31 years, one thing has been nearly constant: change. And yet, through every transition, JSI has remained grounded in the same core values—quality products, trusted relationships, and a deep understanding of the industries we serve.

JSI was founded by Stan Simpson and Sam Damico, both of whom began their careers in the 1970s as direct employees of Raychem. When Raychem was sold, Stan and Sam made a bold move. On a Friday, they were Raychem salesmen. By Monday, they were business owners—launching Joint Specialists as a Master Distributor. That leap of faith laid the foundation for more than three decades of success.

Since then, we’ve witnessed an impressive series of name changes across the manufacturers and brands behind our products:

Raychem became Tyco International,
then Covalence,
then Berry Plastics,
then Berry Global,
then Seal for Life,
and now Henkel.

That’s a lot of evolution on paper—but what’s mattered most is what hasn’t changed. The products have continued to be manufactured to the same strict specifications, with the same commitment to performance, reliability, and quality that customers have trusted for decades.

JSI has evolved right alongside the industry. While we began as a Master Distributor for Raychem and Covalence heat shrink sleeves, our offerings have expanded significantly over time. Today, we are also a Master Kitter for Powercrete products and a stocking distributor for Stopaq visco-elastic materials. These additions allow us to better serve a wider range of project needs while maintaining the technical expertise our customers expect.

Innovation has also come from within. In response to real-world field challenges, JSI developed its own proprietary product: BBS—bumpers designed to protect pipelines during multi-pipe pull-through applications such as bores and directional drills. This product reflects what JSI has always been about: listening to customers, understanding the work, and delivering practical solutions.

As we look back on more than 30 years in business, it’s impossible not to recognize the accomplishment of our founders. Building a small business is hard. Sustaining it for over three decades—through industry consolidation, product evolution, and constant change—is something truly worth celebrating.

Here’s to Stan and Sam, and to the people, partnerships, and products that have shaped Joint Specialists into what it is today. The names may change, but our commitment never has.

Thursday Flashback: When R&D Teaches the Hardest (and Most Valuable) Lessons

 

After a brief holiday break, our Thursday Flashbacks are back — and this one takes us all the way to July of 1973.

At that time, Raychem was working to solve a challenging problem: how to effectively protect corrugated steel pipe from water ingress and corrosion. Their approach was ambitious. Engineers developed a heat-shrink sleeve with an exceptionally thick mastic layer and even packed additional mastic into the ridges of the corrugated pipe, aiming to create a truly waterproof barrier.

On paper, it seemed promising.

However, anyone familiar with shrink sleeves understands a fundamental limitation when it comes to corrugated surfaces. Shrink sleeves naturally tend to “bridge” across the peaks of corrugation. When that happens, a spiral leak path is left behind in the valleys — exactly where water is most likely to travel.

Despite extensive evaluations and testing, the solution simply didn’t perform as intended. Ultimately, the entire project was scrapped.

And that’s where the real value of this story lies.

Raychem devoted a significant portion of its revenue to internal research and development. When you invest millions of dollars into R&D, not every project will become a market success. Some efforts result in breakthrough products. Others fall into a different category: not a great product — but a great lesson.

This 1973 experiment was one of those moments. While the product never made it to market, the insights gained helped shape future technologies and reinforced an important truth in our industry: understanding why something doesn’t work can be just as valuable as finding something that does.

Sometimes progress comes not from success, but from the lessons learned along the way.