Meet the Team: Brendan Richardson, Hayden Lowery, and Noah Brooks
Meet Brendan Richardson, who joined Soltex as a Laboratory Technician at our Baytown facility. Brendan holds a degree in biochemistry with a minor in molecular biology and has a passion for the natural sciences. Eager to be part of a lab environment, he was drawn to Soltex for the opportunity to contribute to a team where every role makes an impact. His academic foundation, with his international study experience in organic chemistry and chemical manufacturing, positions him well to support the company.
Brendan describes himself as resilient, curious, and driven. He is known for his attention to detail, love of problem-solving, and eagerness to learn and grow. He’s proud to be part of a company that emphasizes quality and values its laboratory team.
Outside of work, Brendan is a powerlifter and avid traveler, he’s explored over a dozen countries. Since joining the team, he has quickly recognized the standards and collaborative environment that make Soltex a great place to grow!
Meet Hayden Lowery, who recently joined Soltex as a Buyer on the Supply Chain team. With prior experience in the industry, Hayden was already familiar with the world of chemical purchasing and had heard great things about Soltex before officially joining in November. He was excited by the opportunity to learn more, contribute his own knowledge, and be part of a company where culture and collaboration are valued.
Hayden brings a strong sense of determination and curiosity to his role, two qualities that drive his approach to continuous learning and making a positive impact. Whether supporting his team or interacting with suppliers, he aims to bring value not just to the business but to the people around him. Originally from New Orleans, Hayden enjoys fishing, watching sports, and traveling in his free time. He describes himself as someone who is “always chasing perfection,” and that mindset has already made him a great addition to the Soltex team.
Meet Noah, who joined Soltex in May 2024 as a Buyer for the Canadian facility who has been recently promoted to a Supply Chain Specialist. With a strong academic foundation and a detail-oriented mindset, Noah brings precision and quick decision-making within the purchasing and supply chain functions. He’s excited about the opportunities within the industry and looks forward to applying his knowledge to improve Soltex processes as he grows professionally.
Noah is a former Division I swimmer and was nationally ranked in Canada across multiple events, a testament to the discipline and drive he brings to every challenge. Outside of work, you’ll often find him on the water, either riding his Seadoo or volunteering with Quinte Search & Rescue. Describing himself as dependable, enthusiastic, and outgoing, Noah values the strong collaboration within the Soltex team and is eager to contribute to Soltex’s continued success.
Josh Stouder – Purchasing Manager
Meet Josh Stouder, Purchasing Manager at Soltex, who has been with the company since July 2022. In his role, Josh oversees supplier relationships, collaborates cross-functionally to develop purchasing strategies, and ensures inventory levels strike the right balance, supporting timely order fulfillment without driving up excess stock. With over three years of service, he’s become a key part of the Supply Chain team, known for his strategic mindset and calm, steady leadership.
One of the most interesting and impactful projects Josh has led involved Soltex’s response to shifting tariff regulations. He played a big role in analyzing risk and building a sourcing strategy. This effort speaks to one of Josh’s biggest ongoing challenges: finding the balance between cost optimization and supply consistency. It’s a tough line to walk, but Josh manages it by staying close to suppliers and making decisions that support both the company’s bottom line and long-term stability.
Josh attributes his success to being reliable, thoughtful, and communicative. He values transparency and support in his interactions, and he’s quick to credit the strength of his team as a key reason those values translate into results. He measures success not only through metrics like on-time deliveries and inventory accuracy, but also in the strength of supplier relationships and internal collaboration.
Outside of work, Josh runs a small fine-jewelry business, balancing precision and creativity in a completely different kind of craft. That combination of practical problem-solving and an eye for detail shows up in his work at Soltex as well, where he continues to bring value, focus, and steady leadership to the Supply Chain team.
Product Spotlight – Naptel
Naptel Flood & Fill Products
From buried telecom lines to high-speed fiber optic networks, Soltex’s Naptel Cable Flood & Fill products are hard at work behind the scenes protecting the cables that keep the world connected.
Formulated with synthetic hydrocarbon fluids and wax/polymer blends, the Naptel product line is designed to block moisture, resist oxidation, and maintain dielectric properties in a variety of cable constructions. These compounds are essential in preventing water ingress, one of the biggest threats to long-term cable performance.
What makes Naptel products so versatile is how they’re used across multiple layers of cable construction. All Naptel grades are made for flooding cable cores, over-armor layers, and the spaces between insulation layers. Whether in underground, aerial, or high-humidity environments, these compounds help preserve both the physical and electrical integrity of the cable over time.
Why Naptel?
Naptel products offer many advantages:
· Moisture protection to block water migration within cable assemblies
· Oxidation resistance for long-term stability in varied conditions
· Dielectric performance for optimal signal transmission
· Compatibility with polymers used in modern cable construction and termination enclosures
· Application across different cable designs and specifications
Where It’s Used
Naptel Cable Flood & Fill materials are used in a wide range of telecom and fiber optic cables, including:
· Core flooding to protect the innermost layers
· Over-armor applications for an added barrier beneath protective metal layers
· Inter-layer fill between insulation and outer jackets
· Outdoor, buried, and high-performance data cable systems where long-term durability is critical
Soltex continues to support the evolving demands of global connectivity with reliable, high-performance materials. With Naptel, cable manufacturers and designers gain a trusted solution to keep infrastructure protected from the inside out.
Christmas at Soltex
Cheers to the Season: Soltex Celebrates the Holidays in Style
To close out 2025, Soltex employees gathered for our Annual Christmas Party at the Hyatt Centric in The Woodlands, Texas. The event brought teams together to reflect on the year, celebrate our accomplishments, and enjoy a memorable evening as one company.
This year’s celebration embraced a Roaring ’20s theme, complete with festive attire, vintage flair, and an atmosphere full of Gatsby-era charm. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, live entertainment, and plenty of time to unwind and reconnect with colleagues from across departments. It was a fun, memorable evening, and a perfect way to celebrate the season together.
We were also honored to hear from Soltex Owner, Tony Massoud, and President, Glenn Bohny, who shared words of appreciation and encouragement while reflecting on the growth and momentum of the past year. Their remarks were a meaningful reminder of the leadership and vision that continue to guide our company forward.
A special highlight of the evening was the announcement of this year’s Charity Donation winners: Crystal Vernon, Dawn Allen, and Elizabeth Thompson. Each winner will select a charity of their choice, and Soltex will donate $1,000 in their name. It’s a tradition that reflects our shared commitment to giving back and supporting the causes our employees care about most.
What makes this annual tradition so meaningful isn’t just the food or the venue; it’s the chance for the entire company to step away from the day-to-day and reflect on the year as a team. For both new hires and longtime team members, it’s a reminder of the supportive, people-first culture that drives what we do.
As we look ahead to 2026, celebrations like this remind us that our greatest strength continues to be our people. Thank you to everyone who helped make the night unforgettable, and cheers to another great year ahead at Soltex.
A Year of Impact from Soltex
Soltex Gives Back: A Year of Impact in 2025
This year, employees across the Soltex team came together to support local communities through a variety of hands-on volunteer efforts and donation drives. Here’s a look at how Soltex gave back this year.
Kids’ Meals & Houston Food Bank
This summer, our team participated in volunteer shifts with Kids’ Meals, helping prepare and pack meals for preschool-aged children. Volunteers served at both Magnolia and Houston locations between July 14–18, making an impact on thousands of young lives.
In November, just in time for Thanksgiving, Soltex also partnered with the Houston Food Bank. Employees volunteered time at the Portwall Street warehouse, helping sort, pack, and distribute food for families in need across 18 counties. This effort reflected Soltex’s commitment to supporting families during a time of year when community and generosity matter most.
School Supply Drive
In June, Soltex hosted a company-wide School Supply Drive. Team members collected essential items including backpacks, notebooks, toiletries, and classroom supplies to help prepare students for the upcoming school year. The donations supported Communities In Schools (CIS), an organization that provides students in the Greater Houston area with the tools and support needed to thrive both academically and personally.
Giving Back for the Holidays
To close out the year, Soltex is also participating in a Toy Drive benefiting Juguetes Para El Barrio, a local organization dedicated to bringing joy to children during the holidays. Throughout December, employees are encouraged to bring toys. This effort helps ensure that families in need have a brighter holiday season and gives Soltex another meaningful way to support our surrounding communities during this special time of year.
Supporting Local Communities in Canada
Our Soltex Canada team also gave back in 2025, carrying out a wide range of outreach efforts to support their local community. During the holiday season, the team organized a Christmas Food Drive, collecting four boxes of non-perishable food along with gift cards and cash for donations to Gleaners Food Bank. The team also awarded two high school graduation scholarships to local students, helping recognize and encourage the next generation of leaders.
In addition to food and education support, the team sponsored a Family Day event at the Belleville Senators AHL arena, offering local families a chance to enjoy a hockey game and snacks together. They also participated in several nationwide initiatives, including Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Days and Dairy Queen Blizzard Days, with proceeds benefiting causes such as Children’s Miracle Network, Kids Camps, and the local United Way. From Earth Day cleanups during Belleville’s Trash Bash to ongoing support for youth sports and arts programs, Soltex Canada continues to demonstrate that community support is at the heart of who we are, across every location we call home.
A Company-Wide Effort
Throughout 2025, Soltex employees showed up with generosity, time, and heart. Whether packing meals, donating supplies, or fulfilling holiday wishes, the collective effort made a real difference in the lives of others.
Thank you to everyone who participated, organized, and gave. Together, we’ve proven that at Soltex, giving back is just part of who we are.
New Employees: Crystal Vernon and Matt Mottola
Meet Crystal Vernon, who recently joined Soltex, this past July, as an Office Administrator. With over 25 years of experience in administrative roles across various industries, Crystal brings organizational knowledge and strong support skills to our team. Drawn to Soltex by the warmth of its people and the alignment of company values with her own, she saw the opportunity as a “perfect fit,” one that allows her to apply decades of experience while continuing to grow professionally.
Outside the office, Crystal embraces life with enthusiasm. Whether she’s boating with friends, enjoying a quiet movie night with family, or even skydiving, she brings the same positive energy to her personal life that she brings to work. Describing herself as positive, happy, and loyal, Crystal says she’s grateful to be part of a workplace where teamwork is authentic and everyone is willing to step in and support one another. “It feels like a family here,” she says and she’s proud to be part of it.
Meet Matt Mottola, who brings years of experience to his new role as Account Manager at Soltex. Since joining the team in August, Matt has already made a strong impression on his role. During his time in the industry, Matt became familiar with Soltex’s growing reputation and was eager to join a company that had earned his respect. Now part of the team, he’s focused on expanding business opportunities by using his background and industry relationships. Known for being a strong communicator and self-motivated, Matt is eager to help drive growth.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys golfing and spending time in nature, especially exploring national parks. In his early days at Soltex, he’s already felt the company’s close culture, where people genuinely enjoy working with one another. Describing himself as honest, helpful, and humble, Matt says he feels lucky to be part of the team and is excited to see what’s ahead!
Team Member Spotlight: Bret Timme
Meet Bret Timme, our Electrical Engineer I, supporting both Operations and Soltex R&D. Over the past two years, Bret has worked across a broad range of technical areas, including product development, testing, process design, and customer-facing support. His role is highly collaborative, requiring coordination with internal engineering and production teams as well as engagement with customers seeking technical solutions. One standout area of his work involves dielectric and thermal fluid products, where he focuses on single-phase immersion cooling applications. His ability to integrate electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering has helped advance innovation in this growing field.
Bret strongly believes in clear and honest communication, especially in engineering environments where collaboration is critical. He believes that success doesn’t come solely from having technical knowledge, but from the ability to explain ideas, listen well, and admit you’re still learning. This mindset is essential to his approach at Soltex, where he’s known for taking initiative and proactively solving challenges before they become problems. Additionally, Bret represents Soltex and participates within several technical organizations to help influence and translate insight into our strategies. Participating in these groups allows him to stay connected to the latest developments in the industry.
Bret describes himself as resilient, curious, and driven, three qualities that clearly show in his work. He adapts quickly, seeks to understand problems, and consistently pushes projects forward. These traits make him a strong contributor and a valuable part of the Soltex team.
Soltex, Inc. Marks 35 Years of Excellence
In 2025, Soltex Inc. proudly commemorates its 35th year as a trusted provider of specialty chemical products and performance additives. Since our founding in 1990, we have remained committed to delivering high-quality, reliable solutions to our customers across a broad range of industries.
Soltex was established to offer dependable chemical products backed by a responsive, customer-focused service. Operating initially from a small facility with a limited team, we’re committed to understanding the needs of our customers and delivering. This approach has allowed us to evolve into a recognized leader in the formulation and distribution of specialty fluids and additives.
Growth over the Years
Over the last three decades, Soltex has pursued growth through acquisitions and operational scaling. In 2015, we acquired Petroleum Chemicals, significantly expanding our capabilities in performance additives for lubricant formulations. In 2023, we acquired DSI Ventures, a leader in dielectric fluid technologies. These integrations have allowed Soltex to broaden our technical offerings and better support our customers.
As we mark our 35th anniversary, Soltex remains committed to technical excellence, supply reliability, and quality customer service. Our continued investment in infrastructure, talent, and innovation ensures that we have the ability to support our customers and partners.
Thank You
We thank our customers, suppliers, and team members for their continued trust and collaboration. We look forward to advancing performance chemistry together in the decades ahead.
Tank Farm Expansion – Baytown, TX
Exciting changes are underway in Baytown, Texas, where construction is actively progressing on a tank farm expansion project. This growth represents a major step forward in Soltex’s continued investment and focus into the dielectric and thermoconductive fluid industry, increasing capacity, improving logistics, and better serving the needs of our customers.
The project is already taking shape. The first phase of tanks has been installed, and construction of catwalks and stairs is currently in progress. Once complete, the expansion will include 11 tanks, each with a 21,000-gallon capacity, dedicated to both blending and storage. These enhancements will improve our ability to manage product volume, reduce turnaround time, and increase operational flexibility.
Though still under construction, the project is moving steadily toward completion and is expected to be finalized before the end of the year. As the expansion nears completion, we’re looking forward to the value it will add, not just infrastructure, but creating new opportunities to strengthen the value, reliability, and support for our customers.
Bright Stock Replacement and PCA 1301
At Soltex, our focus is on delivering trusted, innovative products designed to meet the demands of today’s industrial challenges. Bright Stock Replacement and PCA 1301 are both designed to improve viscosity management and deliver superior lubrication.
Bright Stock Replacement
Upgrade your lubricant formula with our enhanced solution designed to outperform traditional bright stocks.
Key Benefits:
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– Replaces traditional bright stock for enhanced performance
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– Acts as a viscosity modifier for improved stability and efficiency
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– Customizable formulations tailored to your operational needs
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– Polybutene-based for excellent film strength and thermal stability
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– Ideal for industrial applications
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– Manufactured by Soltex for consistent quality control
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PCA 1301
Engineered with polybutene-based technology, PCA 1301 is a powerful alternative for traditional bright stocks, delivering superior lubrication and durability.
Key Benefits:
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– Replaces traditional bright stock for enhanced performance
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– Acts as a viscosity modifier for improved stability and efficiency
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– Ideal for industrial and automotive gear applications
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– Manufactured by Soltex for consistent quality control
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Why Choose Soltex
With in-house manufacturing, technical expertise, and a commitment to quality, Soltex delivers high-performance, customizable solutions designed for modern industry applications. From enhancing gear reliability to upgrading lubricant formulations, our solutions are designed to achieve high quality result