With nearly 50 years in the machining industry, Bruce Lowry is a true entrepreneur. Based in Seattle, he runs Cutting Tool Control Inc., a family-owned industrial distribution company that provides everything a machine shop might need — from cutting fluids and tools to oil mist separators.
A few years ago, Bruce faced a familiar challenge. In his own shop, he used a CNC grinder to sharpen tools and manufacture small parts. But after working just a couple of hours in the evenings, he began to notice how his eyes were irritated and tired — despite having a mist collector installed. One summer night, as the sun set and light streamed through the open door, he saw the haze hanging in the air. “That’s when I realized, this thing just wasn’t doing what it was supposed to.”, Bruce recalls.
At the WESTEC trade show in Los Angeles in 2019, Bruce came across 3nine for the first time. He was immediately impressed by the separation technology — it was unlike anything he had seen before. Soon after, he installed a 3nine LINA oil mist separator on his grinder. The results were instant: the haze disappeared, and his eye irritation was gone.
It was such a clear difference — the air was clean, my eyes felt fine, and the machine stayed spotless. I also saw the benefit of recovered cutting fluid, which could be reused directly on the machine — a real bonus, he says.
What began as a personal solution quickly turned into a business opportunity. Convinced by the performance, Bruce became a 3nine sales representative and has been working successfully with the company ever since. Since then, he has steadily grown his business across the Northwest and West Coast, building a strong base of new customers in the region. He describes the partnership as efficient and supportive. “The 3nine team gave us excellent training and made sure we understood both the product and the technology. It’s a great company to work with.”
By separating oil from air with 99.9% efficiency, 3nine units not only create a cleaner, healthier workspace but also recover cutting fluid directly back to the machine. This enables shops to reduce oil consumption and save significant costs each year, while also minimizing waste. He knows first-hand the difference cleaner air makes — not only for the machines but for the people.
Employees are happier when the air is clean — it’s a real benefit for any employer. And the reduced maintenance and ability to reuse cutting fluid make it a win for both productivity and the environment.
Bruce recalls a customer with a large machine shop who used to spend around $20,000 annually on cleaning costs alone — just to remove the oil mist that settled on floors, machines, and equipment. “With 3nine units installed, the shop stays remarkably clean”, he says. “It’s a huge time and cost saver, and employees appreciate the cleaner environment.”
Looking ahead, Bruce sees strong potential for 3nine in his region, particularly within the aerospace sector. “There’s a big opportunity out here,” he says with a smile. “Once people see what 3nine can do, it really speaks for itself.”
Bruce Lowry – Cutting Tool Control Inc.
Territory: U.S. Northwest and West Coast
Contact: [email protected]
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