The first few weeks of the year are always full of intention.

New habits. New energy. A clean slate.

But we all know the reality. Most resolutions don’t survive once routines settle back in.

That’s not a reason to stop making them. It’s a reason to be more specific about which ones matter.

That’s why, this year, we aren’t just making promises; we’re focusing on reliability.

At CPI, we’re doubling down on what matters most to the people running the line: technical service that shows up when it’s needed, and product innovation designed for real production (not just lab success).

With that lens in mind, here are the resolutions we’re holding ourselves to as we head into 2026:

1. Eliminate phosphate sludge

We’re helping teams move away from high-maintenance iron and zinc phosphate systems in favor of zirconium-based pretreatment. Sludge, hazardous waste, and constant cleanouts eat up production time. Zirconium eliminates those byproducts and simplifies day-to-day operation.

2. Move beyond clipboards

Manual checks and educated guesswork make it harder to catch problems early. Our focus is on replacing those checks with real-time IoT monitoring, using tools like SteadyChem™, to catch quality issues instantly, without relying on inconsistent logs or after-the-fact reviews.

3. Future-proof for tightening regulations

With environmental rules tightening—especially around phosphorus discharge—we’re committing to supporting transitions to green chemistry so teams can meet environmental targets before 2026 deadlines put pressure on production. The goal is simpler EPA permitting, lower regulatory risk, and fewer surprises as requirements continue to evolve.

4. Bridge the skills gap

As processes change, understanding matters. We’re investing in team upskilling through resources like Paint Line University, so operators understand the chemistry and engineering why behind the process (not just the steps).

5. Audit downstream compatibility

Upstream decisions affect everything that follows. We’re committing to helping teams evaluate forming lubricants for VOC compliance and total cost of ownership, making sure residues don’t quietly create problems later in brazing or welding operations.

Hold Us to This

The throughline into 2026 is simpler systems, fewer surprises, and decisions that hold up over time.

So here’s the question we want to ask you:

What’s the one thing on your line you’d most like to make more reliable this year?

If any of the areas above connect to that answer—and it helps to talk through options—we’re always happy to be part of the conversation. Get in touch.

And just as importantly: hold us to our commitments.

If we miss, tell us. That’s how this stays real.