Tom Quinn

Tom graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.  In 1973, he was hired by the H.B. Fuller Company in St. Paul, MN as an Analytical Chemist. 

Within a year, Tom transferred to the Hot Melt R&D Laboratory where he became a product development chemist.  In 1976, Tom was promoted to Department Head of the Hot Melt R&D Laboratory.  In 1985, Tom took over the newly created job of “Technical Systems Manager” where he further developed the use of computer systems for the laboratory. 

Tom left the H.B. Fuller Company in 2002 to found Adherent Laboratories.  His outside interests include playing Irish fiddle and tennis.

Some of Tom’s achievements include:

• Development of the company’s first hot melt PSA’s.
• Conceived and helped develop the first co-extruded pillows that eliminated the need to ship tacky products in silicone lined boxes
• Received a patent in 1976 for the invention of S(EB)S based PSA’s used as attachment adhesives for feminine hygiene products.  These products are still in use today.
• Assumed responsibility for leadership in developing Fuller’s hot melt technology.
• Led the technical efforts to integrate several company acquisitions.
• Participated in the planning and startup of Fuller’s first modern hot melt manufacturing facilities.
• Led in the transfer of technology to Fuller’s international locations, particularly Europe.
• Purchased the first personal computer in the H.B. Fuller Company in 1980.  This first Apple computer was used to track projects, compose technical data sheets, and serve as the first database of product formulations and properties.  By 1983, many of these efforts were being transferred to the Company’s mainframe computers and were adopted by all of the other laboratories and used throughout the entire network.
• First introduction of e-mail to the company in 1987.
• First Internet connection in 1990.
• World Wide Web access was established in mid-1993 and the laboratory had its own Intranet by the end of the year.
• Development of databases for raw material information, project tracking, regulatory compliance, library and research materials and project tracking.
• Introduction of experimental design methodologies for product development in 1987.
• Represented the technical community in strategic planning to re-tool the entire company’s information systems in 1993.
• Developed and managed a Hot Melt Technical Intranet. Led efforts to transfer technology among Fuller’s various international hot melt laboratories. Leadership role in a joint development project with Dow Chemical to develop single-site catalyst polyolefin polymers for packaging adhesives. 
• Recipient of the Annual Technical Achievement Award in 1998 for role in developing polyolefin based hot melt adhesives for packaging.
• Led efforts to reduce the overall cost of raw material ownership for the company.  In this role, Tom served as the main technical liaison with Fuller’s raw material suppliers and coordinated technical raw material projects among Fuller’s various hot melt laboratories.