In order to best serve its customers and the horses they care for, Finish Line has, and is constantly in the development of, laboratory facilities at its factory location.

The availability of a wide range of analytical instruments has proven very valuable in both R&D (research and development) of new products, as well as QC (quality control) of existing products.

Within the scope of R&D, the lab has a large variety of small quantities of raw materials for the production of “lab batches” of new products for testing. Glassware, digital and mechanical balances, pH meters, viscometers, microscopes, cameras, Gas Chromatographs, Liquid Chromatograph, computer-based data acquisition, thermometers (electronic, IR and mechanical types), vacuum and convection ovens, vacuum pump, spectrophotometer, centrifuge, reagents for specific tests, deionized water supply, a freezer, pipettes and test papers are just some of the equipment available for R&D projects.

Liquid Chromatograph system in Finish Line’s Lab

Many of the same instruments and equipment are also used for QC or Quality Control projects. For example, several ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate, glucosamine hydrochloride, methylsulfonylmethane, and biotin are considered “High Asset Value”. They’re expensive, so each incoming shipment is tested to insure that the identity/potency is what it’s supposed to be. All other raw materials are quarantined on arrival and can be used in manufacture only after approval, per the procedure in Finish Line’s NASC BMP manual (National Animal Supplement Council, Best Manufacturing Practices manual).

Foreground: Spectrophotometer. Backround left: TCD gas chromatograph. Right: FID GC

The lab is headed by Nick Cinquino, BS Chemistry, with almost 30 years experience as an analytical chemist and formulator. Nick has been associated with Finish Line since the early 1980’s.

Vacuum oven, Convection oven and vacuum pump at lower left.

Some fascinating situations can develop as a result of lab work. Case in point: several years ago Finish Line purchased several of the leading joint relief products and ran several tests on all. On adding up the solid materials listed on the guaranteed analysis of one of the products (competitor brand), a theoretical solids of 28% was calculated. But the actual oven solids came out at only 8%. Something is obviously not right. Finish Line’s laboratory can assure that this never happens to our products; they contain what’s stated on the label, guaranteed.

Compressed gasses for Gas Chromatography

The lab’s mission statement is in line with Finish Line’s philosophy; to assist in the formulation, production and quality control of all Finish Line products and processes, so you, the consumer gets the best possible value for your horse’s well being. The lab is located within the facility where all Finish Line products are manufactured, so the lab assets can be applied immediately to any issue large or small at any time and for any product or process. Long term R&D formulation projects can last up to 2 years, with input from Veterinarians, Trainers and specialists such as Farriers.

GC data system at left, large stainless steel oven at right.

Click here to go back.