While CNC machining demands meticulous attention to precision, productivity, and regulatory standards, lubricants often go unnoticed despite their essential role. But when manufacturers begin experiencing inconsistent performance, shortened tool life, and sustainability concerns, their lubrication strategy can quickly take center stage. That was exactly the case for Cadrex, a high-volume CNC manufacturer serving the medical, semiconductor, and aerospace sectors across North America.
With 21 facilities and over 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing space, Cadrex needed more than just another supplier. They needed a technical partner who could streamline their fluid portfolio, bolster safety, meet industry-specific regulations, and enable reliable performance across sites.
From Fragmented Fluids to a Unified Solution
Cadrex was sourcing lubricants from multiple suppliers before partnering with FUCHS Lubricants Co., the world’s largest independent lubricant supplier. “We were buying a lot of different lubricants from a lot of different companies that were not cost-effective, machine-friendly, and not environmentally friendly,” said Michael DeMonti, Maintenance and Facilities Manager at Cadrex. Their synthetic-based coolant was damaging machines, but beyond that the company was concerned about employee safety and environmental safety.
FUCHS started with a detailed assessment of Cadrex’s production and lubrication challenges. As Chris Ledger, Northeast Sales Engineer at FUCHS, explained, “We provided some solutions, one of them being the ECOCOOL 7830. They received a couple of drums for testing, and the results spoke for themselves.”
What followed was a full conversion. Over the course of a year, Cadrex replaced every lubricant in their Agawam, MA facility—including coolants, gear oils, spindle oils, hydraulic fluids, and Swiss lube—with FUCHS products. This transition wasn’t just smooth; it was seamless. All lubrication products were switched over to FUCHS with no downtime and resulted in reliable results in their machining processes.
Why Chemistry Matters: Customizing for Critical Industries
FUCHS’ success at Cadrex didn’t happen by chance. The company has built its reputation on developing lubricant solutions that are specific to industries with more critical requirements like medical and aerospace manufacturing. These sectors face strict chemical restrictions that rule out many traditional lubricants containing commonly used extreme pressure (EP) additives.
“For medical applications, we have to use alternative chemistries that still provide the performance needed for CNC applications,” Ledger explained. “We’ve reformulated many of our coolants to be boron-free and dye-free to meet evolving health and environmental standards.”
In precision machining, different materials behave very differently under stress. For example, titanium and Nitinol (a shape-memory alloy commonly used in medical devices) are both known for being especially difficult to machine. These substrates retain heat more readily than others, so reducing heat generation through proper lubrication and providing for increased heat transfer through robust fluids that allow for lower concentrations is essential.
To meet these challenges, FUCHS develops fluids that are specifically designed to work with high-performance metals. Not all additives are suitable or authorized for use in every application. In highly regulated industries like medical and aerospace manufacturing, many common EP additives are restricted for health or environmental reasons. These chemicals react with the heat generated during machining to create a protective layer between the tool and the material, reducing friction, minimizing wear, and improving cutting efficiency. In these cases, FUCHS engineers alternate formulations using specialized chemistries that still deliver the required performance without compromising safety or compliance. FUCHS fluids are approved by leading aerospace OEMs, which helps streamline qualification and validation processes for manufacturers working with sensitive materials and exacting standards.
Whether a customer is drilling titanium or micro-milling Nitinol, FUCHS can supply a lubricant that’s formulated for both the material and the specific machining operation. Matching the chemistry to the substrate and application increases precision and tool life while reducing quality issues.
Consistent Performance Across Materials and Facilities
CNC operations frequently involve complex alloys like titanium, Inconel, or cobalt-chromium, materials that demand precise cooling and consistent lubrication to prevent tool degradation and maintain surface integrity. FUCHS metalworking fluids are engineered for these demands, supporting extended tool life, corrosion protection, and faster cycle times.
At Cadrex, this translated into operational confidence. “Using FUCHS high-quality coolant allows us to be confident in the consistent performance and lifespan of our machines, enabling us to deliver faster, more reliable results to our customers,” said Rick Gdovin, Plant Manager at Cadrex. The improved performance also means the products being machined at other Cadrex locations benefit from the same level of quality and predictability.
Sustainability Built into the Formula
FUCHS has a strong focus on including sustainability into their formulations. In recent years, FUCHS has removed dyes in all metal processing fluids, developed boron-free formulations, and helped customers reduce water usage associated with flushing and disposal. The company’s global R&D teams work proactively to stay ahead of regulatory changes and customer needs.
“Here at Cadrex, tool life and machine ability are kind of our number one concern — but also our employees. Safety being our number one core value of Cadrex, we definitely wanted to be more friendly to our environment and also to our employees,” said DeMonti.
FUCHS chemists are continually developing new formulations that extend fluid life to enable consumption reduction and waste minimization. These innovations support practical goals for manufacturers like Cadrex, such as extending coolant change-out intervals, lowering disposal costs, and reducing environmental impact, all without compromising performance or safety.
Efficiency, Service, and the Value of a Unified Approach
One of the most significant operational benefits Cadrex experienced was the ability to consolidate all lubrication needs under one roof. This simplified procurement, reduced inventory complexity, and enabled tighter control over usage and costs. Switching every lubricant over to FUCHS helped Cadrex simplify inventory, reduce procurement complexity, and ultimately realize substantial cost savings.
But product performance is only half the equation. FUCHS’ service model has also been a critical differentiator. “They consistently provide reliable support whenever I require urgent shipments. If I need an order expedited, they ensure it is processed and dispatched promptly,” said DeMonti.
A Long-Term Partner for a Fast-Moving Industry
As the CNC manufacturing landscape evolves, FUCHS is helping companies like Cadrex stay ahead through responsive support, regulatory foresight, and unmatched technical knowledge. The partnership demonstrates that with the right lubricant strategy, manufacturers can achieve more than machine uptime. They can unlock performance, improve the working environment, and demonstrate a proactive approach to regulatory and industry-specific environments.
Many of FUCHS’ innovations are developed directly in response to customer challenges. With a global R&D network and close collaboration with major manufacturers, the company often tailors formulations to unique performance goals or compliance needs.
For manufacturers seeking to simplify their operations while elevating quality and compliance, FUCHS demonstrates that smart lubrication is both a maintenance decision and a competitive advantage.
