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About Nail Systems International

OUR COMMITMENT TO NAIL TECHNOLOGIES

We listen to nail professionals to understand your needs as we pursue better nail chemistry, better techniques and faster applications to help you succeed. You ask, we answer.

Since the 1950s, NSI has been a family owned and operated manufacturer of high quality monomers, polymers, and other enhancement products for the professional nail industry. As early developers, inventors, and chemists, NSI pioneered and developed the first non-yellowing, cross linked formulations used in all traditional acrylic systems today.

 

As pioneers, NSI was the first to introduce fiberglass-reinforced polymers, light activated liquid and powder acrylics, UV cured gels, and air and heat activated polish sealants. Our chemists continually meet the demand for innovative products. In terms of quality control, NSI goes the extra mile by providing batch and tracking numbers on all products. If a nail technician does experience a problem, it can be quickly identified and solved.

Meet our team

Fred Slack

Fred Slack

Director of R&D

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Before focusing on nail products, Fred Slack III was an innovator and pioneer in the dental industry. He was in the forefront in the development of the first high impact crown and bridge materials, the first powder/liquid composite filling material, the first direct bonded orthodontic adhesives, and the first hybrid composite. He began working in NSI’s parent company in 1960, started by his father Fred Slack Jr., which at the time was developing and manufacturing dental products. He used his knowledge of dental technology, acquired at the University of Pennsylvania Dental Laboratory, and worked on the characteristics of acrylic polymer/monomer chemistry with DuPont, Rohm & Haas, and Imperial Chemical of UK, to name a few.

When his father retired in 1962 and moved to Florida, Fred purchased the company. Through his leadership, the company launched many new products in the dental field that would pave the way for nail enhancement technology. He developed the first fiberglass reinforced, tooth colored acrylic materials and the first liquid composite resin with a new composite resin monomer, which led to UV gel chemistry in the nail field.

In the early seventies, Fred saw the business potential of professional nail products using acrylic and UV gel technology and he accelerated his R&D work in the cosmetic nail industry. By 1978, he had developed the first EMA-based, color stable, powder and liquid system for nail technicians and began supplying private label nail products to the major players in the cosmetic nail market.

After approximately a decade of success as a private development manufacturer, Fred Slack, and his son, Rick Slack decided to take their business to the next level. They agreed to start their own branded company called Nail Systems, later renamed NSI, with their first product being Secrets; the industry’s first odor-free acrylic system. Fred has been behind every new product launch in NSI’s history and while his son has taken over as President, he is still very active in the company as the Director of R&D.

Rick Slack

Rick Slack

President

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Rick has over 20 years experience in the professional beauty industry. In 1987, after attending the University of Rhode Island, Rick joined his father to work in the family business which, at that time, was a dental manufacturing company and a developer of private label nail products for the professional nail industry.

Rick learned the product development side of the business by working side-by-side with the chief chemist and manufacturing department. As the company grew, he pursued his interest in sales by networking at trade shows and working with dentists, nail technicians and distributors.

Rick watched his father develop new nail chemistry for many companies in the beauty industry which led him to suggest the creation a branded line of professional-only nail products. Rick and his father decided to take the plunge and Nail Systems, later to be renamed NSI, was born. While continuing to develop dental and private label nail products, Nail Systems introduced Secrets; the first odorless powder and liquid system. Rick’s focus was now on partnering with distributors around the world to bring the Nail Systems story and nail products to nail technicians.

Rick’s focus in the company was not just in sales. He still remained involved in the development of new products. One of the products that Rick collaborated on was fiberglass reinforced nail powders called Choice. Some of the same technology is still used today in NSI’s Attraction Acrylic System. Other products that Rick helped develop are Thermoshield, the first heat-cured polish sealant, and Line Out, the original fill-line eraser, among others.

Demonstrating expertise in various areas of the company, it was time for Rick to take the top seat as company President, while his father, Fred Slack, spent more time devoted to R&D. As President, Rick has continued to grow NSI by adding new distributors throughout the world. He never forgets the company mission, which is to further advance nail technology and the ongoing success of the nail technician. This mission affects every decision he makes within the company.

Bob Maxwell

Bob Maxwell

Manufacturing & Development Manager

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Bob Maxwell joined NSI in 1994, bringing over 35 years of manufacturing experience with him.  He previously worked in various field including pharmaceutical and food industries.  As Manufacturing Manager, Bob not only oversees the production of all NSI products, he has played an instrumental role in new product development.

Bob and his wife Donna, of 45 years, have two sons and five grandchildren. Bob is a U.S. Army veteran having served in Vietnam.  He is an avid sports fan and has coached youth sports teams.  His newest passion is the game of golf.  On the weekends, you can find him on the golf course with his two sons.  Fore!

Isabel Fisher

Isabel Fisher

VP Sales and Marketing

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Isabel graduated from the University of Delaware in 2002, with a double major in Spanish and Latin American Studies. A highlight of her college experience was studying in Costa Rica, which she found useful for launching her professional career.

Following graduation, Isabel was recruited by Electro-Mechanical Systems International, an electrical manufacturer’s representative company in Philadelphia. She worked there for three years, working first as the Document Specialist and progressing to Operations Manager.

Desiring to challenge her interests and expand her experience, Isabel accepted a position with NSI in 2005, where she is currently where she is now Vice President.

Isabel and her husband, Adam, live in Lancaster County, PA with their two sons, Stone and Grayson.  They enjoy spending time together playing, reading, taking walks, and watching their children grow and learn.

DID YOU KNOW

In 1987 Fred Slack and his son, Rick Slack, decided to brand their already successful formulations and created NSI. But NSI’s History in the Nail Industry did not start in 1987, it started from humble beginnings in 1957.

Dr. Slack, Fred Slack’s father, cut his thumb nail while working in his Dental laboratory. Using aluminum foil, he created a platform to fix the nail with dental acrylic. This would lead to the patent of the industry’s first nail form!

In the late 1960’s Fred Slack with his polymer and monomer chemist developed many of new nail technician friendly polymer / monomers acrylic systems which continue to be used worldwide in the nail industry. To this day, NSI has been at the forefront of researching, developing and manufacturing innovative monomers, polymers, oligomers and many other enhancement products for the professional nail industry.

DID YOU KNOW

Just look at our history

1957

The First Nail Form

The First Nail Form

NAIL FORM PATENT

Dr. Slack while working in his dental laboratory cut his thumb nail. Using aluminum foil, he created a platform to fix the nail with dental acrylic. This lead to the patent of the first Nail Form.

1961

New Regulations on Acrylic Nails

FDA RESTRICTS USE OF MMA

The FDA restricted the use of Methyl Methacrylate Acrylic nails at that time as they felt that those chemical were not suitable for use for artificial nails.  The fact is that the beginning chemistry needed much work.

1963

New Advances in the Dental Industry

New Advances in the Dental Industry

NSI’s parent Dental company develops first tooth colored acrylic filling material using reinforced acrylics and cross linkers to make a harder more resistant filling material than the existing Silicate Fillings at that time.

1970

NSI Focuses on the Nail Industry

NSI Focuses on the Nail Industry

JUST THE BEGINNING OF ACRYLIC AND GEL

NSI’s parent company creates some of the first acrylic and UV gel products. Utilizing new chemistry, such as photo initiator systems. This was the beginning for NSI in the development and research of projects aimed at making the best, most user friendly professional only nail extension products.

1974

NSI Begins Developing Product for the Nail Industry

NSI Begins Developing Product for the Nail Industry

DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH & INNOVATION

NSI’s parent company developed many unique products for many of the leading brand name nail companies that dominate the nail markets today. During this time, they began researching and developing new monomers and polymers for both the nail and dental industry.

1981

Exploring UV Photochemistry

Exploring UV Photochemistry

NSI CREATES ITS COMPLETE LINE

NSI’s parent company explores UV activated photochemistry for dental and cosmetic industry with the help of many specialized chemists. This leads to the creation of a complete line of polymers, light activated urethanes for specific use in the nail industry.

1987

Fred Slack & Rick Slack

Fred Slack & Rick Slack

NSI BECOMES A BRAND NAME

Fred Slack and his son, Rick Slack, decided to brand their already successful formulations and created Nail Systems.

1993

THERMOSHIELD

THERMOSHIELD

NSI launches Thermoshield, eliminating the need for clients to wait around while their polish dries.

1995

AIRSHIELD

AIRSHIELD

Inspired by the success of Thermoshield, NSI created an air-dry version called Airshield.

1997

LINEOUT

LINEOUT

NSI created Line Out, the ONLY product in the industry to erase fill lines.

2003

BALANCE UV GEL SYSTEM

BALANCE UV GEL SYSTEM

NSI creates the user-friendly Balance UV Gel System.

2005

ATTRACTION ACRYLIC SYSTEM

ATTRACTION ACRYLIC SYSTEM

NSI utilizes the latest in acrylic nail technology to create their Attraction     Acrylic System.

2010

POLISH PRO GEL POLISH

NSI launches Polish Pro – A revolutionary light-cured gel polish system.

2016

DUAL CURE LAMP

DUAL CURE LAMP

NSI continues to develop new light cured technology and introduces the Dual Cure UV & LED Lamp.

2018

SIMPLICITE POLYDIP SYSTEM

SIMPLICITE POLYDIP SYSTEM

The Simplicite PolyDip Nail Enhancement System has risen to a whole new level of nail dipping systems that utilizes new oligomer technology. The unique light cured technology is faster than a traditional dip service and keeps clients’ nails strong and healthy.