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KECO’s 100P
KECO 100P Teflon plate coating is available for a variety of industries, providing extreme release, more abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and longer cycle runs. The process can be used to refurbish used plates, or we can provide new coated press plates for existing equipment. Plus, Teflon attributes include insulating, high-temperature resistance, conductivity, and of course, non-stick properties. Adhesives, food, ink, labels, paint, tape, etc., will not adhere to coated surfaces. It can be used in temperatures from cryogenic to 500°F and, depending on the chemistry, 550°F intermittently. Plus, steel and aluminum would deteriorate in a corrosive environment without any type of protection, but Teflon easily protects them, creating a much longer application lifespan.
As with McRae, KECO specializes in customizing coating and processes to provide the best solutions to meet our customers’ diverse needs.
McRae’s storied history
McRae was founded in 1959 by Branson J. McRae as a manufacturer of children’s footwear. In 1967 the company transitioned to manufacture military footwear for the U.S. Department of Defense. This period presented the company the opportunity to participate in early contracts for Jungle Boots as were used in Vietnam. Those early DMS (Direct Molded Sole – vulcanized bottomed) boots proved to be a very functional, durable, and successful part of the soldiers’ arsenal of equipment. These early olive drab/black boots were so successful that they remained a mil-spec item (with color changes to all black and desert tan) until well into the 1990s during Desert Storm. McRae still manufactures commercial versions of these boots on the same vulcanizing presses and molds as used during the 1967 era.
Currently, McRae competes on military contracts for modern issue boots for the Army, Marines, and Air Force. Today’s military boots are produced utilizing direct attached polyurethane/rubber bottoms applied by state-of-the-art, multi-station injection molding equipment.
McRae operates its footwear manufacturing facilities in two locations in the Mt. Gilead area. The original factory was in a school building where Branson McRae attended school. As the business grew, a 100,000-square-foot addition was added to its other facility in nearby Troy. This was done to supplement a growing demand from the U.S. DoD and commercial marketplace. The new facility is where the new direct attach injection mold equipment for the manufacturing of current-spec military boots is housed.
The family business
After Branson McRae’s passing, his oldest son, Gary, became the CEO and president and younger son, Jim, vice president, secretary, and director. Jim’s son, Jay, is the plant maintenance supervisor.
KECO Coatings North Carolina would like to thank Jay McRae for the opportunity to develop and provide a coating system to improve and enhance their process.