New European Collection & Shipping Points

National Collection Points now available in UK, Belgium & Germany

POZNAN, POLAND – POLARIS Laboratories® Europe now offers National Collection & Shipping Points in the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany. These collection points allow fluid analysis users in these countries to easily send their samples to a local address for transit to the laboratory in Poland.

Samples received at these hubs will be consolidated on a daily basis, shipped overnight to the laboratory and tested the next day. This greatly reduces the cost of shipping individual or small batches of samples to Poland without increasing the shipping time.

To find out more information on this new service or discuss your Fluid Analysis requirements in Europe, please contact Gwyn Simmonds on +44 (0) 7766 073860 or at gsimmonds@polarislabs.com.

New HORIZON® App Feature Eliminates Paperwork

Sample submission makes sampling quicker, easier, more accurate

INDIANAPOLIS – The latest feature offered on the new app for HORIZON – online sample submission – will improve how users collect and submit oil, coolant and diesel fuel samples. Now sample data can be entered into the app and linked to the barcode on the sample jar, eliminating the need for sample paperwork to be filled out and shipped.

“Giving customers the ability to submit samples from a phone or tablet means they can stand next to the equipment while they enter the numbers,” POLARIS Laboratories® Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw said. “Going digital greatly improves accuracy and speeds up the process, too. It’s a positive change for everyone.”

The process is simple. Customers use the app to select a component from their equipment list, enter required information and link the data to the barcode on the sample. Common paperwork mistakes can prevent a sample from being tested, so a data validation process immediately tells users if information is missing or incorrect.

The app uses the mobile device’s camera to automatically scan barcodes, eliminating the need to type in long strings of numbers and characters. In addition, customers can create QR codes of their equipment’s ID numbers and use the camera to find the component in the app.

Since August 2015, the initial version of the HORIZON app has been downloaded on more than 1,300 mobile devices. Users employ the app’s customizable alerts to notify them when testing is complete. A few taps can bring up a testing result summary and recommendations, and another tap will download the full report as a PDF. With the addition of the sample submission feature, users can perform oil analysis from start to finish without using a computer, email account or written paperwork.

The HORIZON app places the power of the web data management application in the palm of your hand. The app allows users to quickly submit sample data and read reports from mobile devices. Available now on iOS devices, the app will expand to Android platforms in the near future.

POLARIS Laboratories® Adopts New Test Methodology

Initial pH test (ASTM D7946) available now 

INDIANAPOLIS – Maintaining their reputation for continued innovation and cutting-edge fluid analysis, POLARIS Laboratories® adopted the new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test method to measure the acidity of oils.

“We test pH at each of our laboratories around the globe, so transitioning to initial pH required collaboration and coordination,” POLARIS Laboratories® Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw said. “However, the benefit to our customers was obvious, so we worked quickly to adopt ASTM’s new method.”

Released in December 2014, ASTM D7946 was designed to test the Initial pH (i-pH) of in-service lubricants. Compared to the previous method (ASTM D664), i-pH is superior for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of lubricants.

POLARIS Laboratories® uses pH to evaluate the strength of the acids present in compressors, natural gas engine and biogas engine lubricants. Typical operations (oxidation, blow-by of combustion gases) and environmental contamination increase the acidity of lubricants (which decreases the pH).

Most oils contain detergent and antioxidant additives to neutralize acid. As these additives are depleted, the lubricant no longer protects the internal components from corrosion. Oil analysis uses i-pH and acid number tests to determine if the lubricant is suitable for continued use and the oil drain can be extended, which saves time and money.

Three POLARIS Laboratories® Customers Recognized for Generating Proven Results

Inaugural Award launched at Company’s first annual Customer Summit

INDIANAPOLIS – POLARIS Laboratories® is announcing the finalists and winner of its inaugural Program Champion Award. These companies demonstrate all the elements of a successful oil analysis program, including an internal expert to drive action and achieve goals.

Recognized at the company’s exclusive 2015 Customer Summit in Indianapolis, the companies presented the 2015 Program Champion Awards by POLARIS Laboratories® are:

  • Arch Coal, Inc. – Champion
  • Lehigh Hanson – Finalist
  • Southwestern Energy – Finalist

“When companies commit to an oil analysis program, they are actually committing to saving more of their equipment,” POLARIS Laboratories® Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw said. “But programs can ensure significant savings and increased equipment uptime when they position a program champion. Those champions add value to the overall program by increasing internal visibility, securing top management support and generating results.”

Arch Coal, Inc., the second-largest coal producer in the U.S., was awarded the Program Champion Award for its commitment to proactive maintenance. The company uses oil analysis as their primary predictive maintenance resource in order to plan and schedule maintenance. In addition, the company communicates regularly with POLARIS Laboratories®, takes action on test results and follows up with data analysis.

Lehigh Hanson was named a finalist for leveraging oil analysis throughout their maintenance program. They use test results and recommendations to increase uptime and reduce the severity of problems developing within their equipment. The cement, aggregate and building materials company works with management to set goals and develop an oil analysis program to help accomplish those goals. Lehigh Hanson has consistently saved time and money through the use of oil analysis.

Natural gas and oil producer Southwestern Energy earned their finalist status for their deep understanding of their machinery’s operating condition. Their staff uses predictive maintenance practices to ensure equipment remains operational and continue the company’s industry-leading run time standard. Oil analysis sampling, analysis and recommendations are used to reduce wear before it happens and head off potential equipment failure.

Published October 7, 2015

POLARIS Laboratories® Launches New Oil Analysis Mobile App

Take the award-winning management reporting software on the go with HORIZON® Mobile

INDIANAPOLIS – POLARIS Laboratories® is proud to announce a HORIZON® mobile app is available for devices running iOS 8 and higher. HORIZON Mobile brings the powerful oil analysis management tool to users anytime, anywhere.

“Maintenance personnel need sample results with them in the field or on the plant floor, not tucked away in the maintenance office,” POLARIS Laboratories® Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw said. “HORIZON Mobile pushes alerts to users so they can save and extend the life of their equipment before serious damage occurs.”

The mobile app features a customizable push notification feature users can adjust by fluid type and severity level. Alerts lead users to a sample report summary with the overall severity and maintenance recommendations. The full report also can be downloaded as a PDF to analyze wear metals and trending data.    

“HORIZON Mobile allows us to connect with our customers in a way we never have before, and we aren’t done yet,” Debshaw said. “We’re upgrading the app this fall so users can submit sample data to us through the app itself. They’ll avoid countless hours of paperwork by entering the equipment hours while standing next to the equipment. That’s value no one else in the oil analysis industry can offer.”

In addition, POLARIS Laboratories® plans to expand the mobile app to Android devices to serve the vast majority of POLARIS Laboratories® customers and set the standard of the oil analysis industry. HORIZON Mobile is available for download from the Apple App Store.

HORIZON® is a web and mobile application for viewing and managing fluid analysis data. The Winner of 2012 MIRA Award for Corporate IT Excellence & Innovation, HORIZON helps equipment managers make informed decisions about asset maintenance through data-driven reports and straightforward recommendations.

POLARIS Laboratories® is an independent fluid analysis company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company analyzes oil, fuel, coolant and water-based fluids to provide maintenance recommendations that reduce maintenance costs, improve equipment reliability and minimize unscheduled downtime for companies in the transportation, oil and gas, construction, mining and power generation industries. The North America and Europe locations are ISO17025 accredited through A2LA (certificate 2145.01) and all seven labs worldwide use the same test methods to ensure consistent results. The company serves more than 165,000 customers in 90 countries directly and through more than 125 private label fluid analysis programs, such as Chevron, Phillips 66, Ingersoll Rand, MTU and Cummins Filtration.

Full New Release

POLARIS Laboratories® CTO Mark Minges Retires

INDIANAPOLIS – POLARIS Laboratories’ Co-Founder, Partner and Chief Technical Officer Mark Minges retired from the company on Friday, September 26. Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw, Chief Information Officer Don Woods and Chief Science Officer Jeff White have assumed Minges’ duties during the orderly leadership transition.

“While we will miss his insight and experience, the entire company is excited for Mark and his wife Susan as they enter a new phase of their lives together,” Debshaw said. “Mark helped develop capable leaders within the company, and we are excited about continuing the company’s success in the future.”

Minges had the original idea to start POLARIS Laboratories®, and he has driven the company to remarkable heights. In just 15 years, a five-person operation in a small warehouse has flourished into a 63,000-square-foot Indianapolis headquarters with six satellite lab locations around the globe. The growth was recognized in many ways, including a place in the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for six consecutive years (2009-2014).

Under Mark’s Leadership, POLARIS Laboratories® drove the fluid analysis industry forward. It was the first in-line fluid analysis company to earn ISO 17025 accreditation in order to standardize equipment and techniques in multiple locations. Competitors still do not match the number of accredited tests perform by POLARIS Laboratories®.

Mark was instrumental in developing the data analysis process to evaluate test results, which POLARIS Laboratories® uses to provide accurate, reliable and timely maintenance recommendations. The company also reduced the time it takes to get the recommendations to customers with the development of HORIZON®, their award-winning reporting software. This software pulled the industry from printing and mailing reports to emailing reports or accessing them online.

Full News Release

Published October 2, 2014

IBJ lists POLARIS Laboratories® as a Healthy Employer

The company was a finalist for the second straight year

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Business Journal selected POLARIS Laboratories® as one of the Healthiest Employers in Indiana. This is the second year the company was chosen as a finalist in the 100-500 employees category.

“Many of our new health initiatives came to fruition over the last year,” POLARIS Laboratories Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw said. “Moving to our new Indianapolis laboratory gave us the opportunity to incorporate healthy initiatives into the structure of the building.”

In addition to building a new fitness center complete with showers, the break rooms were designed to encourage staff to bring their lunch (and maintain a clean kitchen) through large refrigerators with glass doors. Fresh fruit and filtered cold water and ice encourage healthy food choices as well.

“This year’s wellness program initiative is the most rewarding and comprehensive program I’ve seen from a company our size,” Debshaw said. “By completing health-focused activities, such as going to the doctor annually or taking a smoking cessation course, employees have the opportunity to earn an additional $1,000 per year.”

POLARIS Laboratories® encourages healthy activities outside of work, such as softball leagues, 5K runs, and the Plane Pull Challenge. Biweekly wellness newsletters and monthly health and wellness presentations give employees real-world tips to develop sustainable healthy habits.

More information on the Healthiest Employer awards can be found on their website at www.ibj.com.

Full News Release

POLARIS Laboratories® Earns a Place on Inc. 5000 List

The fluid analysis company’s continued growth is recognized by the national magazine for the sixth year in a row

INDIANAPOLIS – Inc. magazine recognized POLARIS Laboratories® as one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation for the sixth year in a row.

“We’re very proud to have grown in double digits nearly every year since the company started in 1999,” POLARIS Laboratories Chief Executive Officer Bryan Debshaw said. “We certainly have come a long ways since starting with five employees in Greenwood.”

Despite operating in the mature field of oil analysis, POLARIS Laboratories® achieved its long-running success by embracing technological advances and raising the standards of the industry.

“Today, we’re focused on exceeding customer expectations,” Debshaw said. “We want to help them increase their equipment uptime and reduce expensive unplanned maintenance.”

The largest independent oil analysis lab in North America, POLARIS Laboratories® earned the rank of #4652 of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. More information on the Inc. 5000 list can be found on their website at www.inc.com/inc5000.

Full News Release

Published August 27, 2014