- 09 May 2008 -
Technical Conference Kicks Off With Timely Seminars on Electroless Deposition
The highly touted Technical Conference at SUR/FIN 2008, which takes place at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis next month, lifts off on Monday, June 16, with a program dedicated to innovations in electroless nickel....more

- 09 May 2008 -
SUR/FIN Certified Training Course Deadline Approaching
May 29 is the last day to register for the AESF Foundation–certified training courses at SUR/FIN, which takes place June 16–19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis....more

- 09 May 2008 -
Register Early for SUR/FIN
and Save $$$$!
Early registration for SUR/FIN 2008 ends on Thursday, May 15. After this date, registration fees increase for the conference programs. Don’t delay—register online today!...more

- 02 May 2008 -
PCI Names New Executive Director
The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) has named Steve Houston its new executive director, effective May 1. Houston, who most recently served as global marketing director for DuPont’s Industrial Coatings business, replaces Greg Bocchi, who resigned from PCI on Feb. 20 to accept the executive director position with the Vinyl Institute....more

- 02 May 2008 -
Countdown to SUR/FIN:
NASF Previews 2008
Automotive Symposium Lineup
The value-packed conference program will feature informative technical sessions, an automotive market trends forecast, plus an appearance by J.D. Power & Associates' chief economist....more

- 02 May 2008 -
Metalformers Expect Business Conditions to Weaken Over
Short Term
Metalforming companies expect business conditions to weaken during the next three months. This news comes from the April 2008 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, released earlier this week....more

- 25 April 2008 -
Nordson Corp. Signs
Distribution Agreement with Sensory Analytics
Nordson Corp., Westlake, Ohio, earlier this week announced that it has signed a license and distribution agreement with Greensboro, N.C.–based Sensory Analytics, a leading developer of innovative coating measurement systems. The distribution agreement enables the exclusive use of certain Sensory Analytics SpecMetrix coating measurement technologies within new Nordson coating measurement offerings for container manufacturers....more

- 25 April 2008 -
Ian Sellars, Managing Director of Elcometer, Passes
Ian Sellars, the owner and managing director of Elcometer, and one of the founders of the modern coating inspection industry, passed away last week. He was 70....more

- 25 April 2008 -
Chemical, Paint Suppliers Report First-Quarter Earnings
DuPont, Rohm & Haas, Co., Sherwin Williams, and PPG were among the market leaders reporting first-quarter earnings....more

- 18 April 2008 -
U.S. Industrial Production Inches Up in March
A newly released report from the Federal Reserve showed U.S. industrial production rose 0.3% in March, despite projections forecasting a decline....more

- 18 April 2008 -
IPC Urges California Members to Act on Chemicals Initiative
The Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC) is urging its California members to contact the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) regarding the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative. Through its “Green Chemistry Initiative” the DTSC plans to establish a new framework for chemicals management, which would have major adverse implications for all types of industries, including the electronics industry....more

- 18 April 2008 -
Finishers Test Market at SAE Automotive World Congress
Major parts and materials suppliers to the automotive industry—as well as a handful of platers and coaters—were on hand at this week’s SAE Automotive World Congress in Detroit, Mich. Finishers on hand—several of which attended the show for the first time—came to get a lead on how Tier 1 and Tier 2 players are influencing finishing specifications for their OEM partners and automotive manufacturer customers....more

- 11 April 2008 -
Continental Airlines Receives
EPA Award for Use of Non-Toxic Pretreatment in Aircraft Painting Process
Continental Airlines, the industry's fifth-largest carrier, has received an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) Program. The honor is in recognition of the airline's use of PreKote, an environmentally friendly, non-chromium surface pretreatment for its aircraft. Continental is the first commercial air carrier to use this technology—which is produced by Pantheon Chemical—on its aircraft....more

- 11 April 2008 -
Exhibitors 'Wired' at '08 IPC Printed Circuits Expo
From the opening awards ceremony to the bustling show floor, attendees and exhibitors alike had high marks for the recent IPC Printed Circuits Expo, APEX, and the Designers Summit, held April 1–3 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas. In fact, according to event organizers, the show exceeded many exhibitors' expectations....more

- 11 April 2008 -
Michigan Industrial Jobs Fall by 5.3% Over Past 12 Months
Industrial employment in Michigan dropped 5.3% over the past 12 months, according to the 2008 Michigan Manufacturers Directory, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News, Inc., (MNI) of Evanston, Ill. MNI reports Michigan lost 43,087 industrial jobs in 2007-the largest 12-month job loss MNI has reported for any state over the past two years....more

- 04 April 2008 -
Top Automakers Report Sales Slump in March
First-quarter automotive sales continued on their downward curve as several of the industry’s largest manufacturers reported a slump in sales....more

- 04 April 2008 -
SERFILCO Announces
U.K. Trade Tour
SERFILCO, Ltd., manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of corrosion-resistant pumps, agitators, filtration systems, and instruments, has announced plans to conduct a trade tour in the United Kingdom this fall. The tour, which is slated for Oct. 7–10, 2008, will entail visits to aerospace facilities utilizing SERFILCO’s products and technologies....more

- 04 April 2008 -
IPC 2008: Day One Report From Las Vegas
Industry luminaries and noted authors received special recognition on day one of the IPC Printed Circuits Expo/APEX/Designers Summit, which kicked off in Las Vegas on March 29....more

- 28 March 2008 -
J.D. Power & Associates Chief Economist Named Featured Speaker for SUR/FIN 2008 Automotive Symposium
Dr. Bob Schnorbus, chief economist and director of macroeconomics at J.D. Power & Associates, has been tapped to discuss the current state of market as well as future global trends at the Automotive Symposium at SUR/FIN 2008, which takes place June 16–18 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. During his 90-minute presentation, which jumpstarts the day’s programming on Tuesday, June 17, Dr. Schnorbus will address a host of timely and pertinent issues of critical importance to virtually all channels serving the automotive industry....more

- 28 March 2008 -
Sirius Technology and Taskem Announce Merger
Sirius Technology, Inc., and Taskem, Inc., are proud to announce that the two companies have merged, effective April 1, 2008. The combined company, which will be called Coventya, Inc., creates the fourth-largest general metal finishing supplier in North America....more

- 28 March 2008 -
U.S. Patent Assigned to ViaForm Leveler Copper Damascene Electroplating Chemistry
Enthone, Inc., a business of Cookson Electronics, has been assigned United States Patent No. 7,316,772 for its ViaForm Leveler copper damascene electroplating chemistry....more

- 01 April 2008 -
Tucker's Take: Multitasking Tips for Business Owners
Accomplished business owners and people in general can be better multitaskers by mastering the art of managing priorities as situations dictate. So says Jones Loflin, the guest speaker at the recent NASF Management Conference in Los Cabos, Mexico....more

- 01 April 2008 -
Finish Line: It’s Getting Close to Show Time!
Spring is here, which means SUR/FIN 2008 is just around the corner. The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) is organizing an event built around comprehensive conference programming complemented by a two-day exhibition showcasing a smorgasbord of surface finishing processes, equipment, products, and services....more

- 02 May 2008 -
2008 Washington Forum Provides Platform to Air
Critical Issues
Ensuring that “bad” science and misinformation does not factor into legislators’ decision-making processes—especially when drafting laws or rulings that stand to significantly impact the metal finishing industry at large. That was the driving issue that dominated discussions at the 2008 Washington Forum, held April 22–24 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C....more

- 07 March 2008 -
Policy Group Update
The Policy Group, the educational and advocacy arm of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF), next week expects to submit a proposal to the EPA regarding the pending USEPA "Plating and Polishing Rule." According to Christian Richter, one of the Policy Group's principals, the EPA rule would essentially impose new requirements on non-chromium plating processes. The good news: over the last two months The Policy Group, along with industry members, has been able to achieve a major cost avoidance on behalf of the industry. "By working with the EPA over the last couple of years, we've been able to whittle that rulemaking down so that when the rulemaking comes down we're going to see minimal cost to the industry," said Richter, during the 2007 NASF Management Conference in Los Cabos, Mexico, on March 6.

- 26 February 2008 -
OSHA Issues Inspection Procedure Guidelines on
Hex-Chrome Exposure
OSHA recently issued an instruction to provide guidelines and establish uniform inspection and compliance procedures for the new hexavalent chromium workplace exposure standard that was promulgated Feb. 28, 2006 (OSHA Directive Number: CPL 02-02-074). This new directive sets forth OSHA’s policy and guidance for enforcing the hexavalent chromium workplace exposure standard....more

- 26 February 2008 -
EPA Updates Solid Waste
Testing and Monitoring Manual (SW-846)
The EPA has announced new revisions to its guidance manual of appropriate and reliable methods for testing and monitoring hazardous waste. The updated version of the manual, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods (also known as SW-846), contains 43 new or revised analytical methods that may be used for monitoring hazardous waste and other requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

- 09 May 2008 -
TrueLogic Opens Asia-Pacific Regional Office in Singapore
TrueLogic Company, LLC, maker of TrueChem chemical and wet-process management/control software, has announced the opening of its Asia-Pacific regional office in Singapore. TrueLogic Far East will be responsible for business development, sales, and customer satisfaction for TrueChem across the Asia-Pacific region....more

In brief...BASF SE said it will set up a new engineering plastics factory in the city of Thane and that it plans to expand its coatings facilities in Mangalore, both in India, to cater to the booming car industry in Asia. (Asian car makers posted an 8% sales increase last year, making Asia the fastest growing region in the global automotive industry, according to BASF.) In Thane, where BASF operates a plastics engineering lab, the company will build an engineering plastics compounding plant that will enter service in the second half of 2009. In Mangalore, BASF is building a new laboratory for systems to mend damaged coatings.

- 02 May 2008 -
In brief...3M Co. plans to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products used in commercial, electronic, and automotive applications. The expansion site will be responsible for the coating of optical films, window film, and other film products. 3M estimates it will spend about $200 million on the facility over two years.

KMI Systems, Inc. has successfully completed the installation of a new porcelain enamel system for Midea, a major appliance manufacturer located in Guangdong, China. The new porcelain enamel coating line will be used for coating small appliances. The new system comprises a four-stage washer, dry-off oven, two Nordson powder booths, an environmental room, and porcelain enamel furnace. With four major projects installed in China and one more on the way, KMI has the experience, expertise, and dedication needed to deliver quality systems to companies in China. From the beginning the project was on a fast track, and KMI was able to deliver the system in less than 18 weeks, from purchase order to production.  

- 25 April 2008 -
In brief...Royal DSM N.V. announced its long-term manufacturing plan to expand its polyester powder coating resin facilities and prepare its manufacturing network for the future. The capacity at three of its locations will be expanded, while preparations have started for further expansions. Including investments currently under consideration, the long-term manufacturing plan would result in a total capacity expansion of 40 kilotons. The investments are scheduled for the period 2007–2010. As a first step, the facilities in Schoonebeek (the Netherlands), Ping Tung (Taiwan), and Santa Margarida (Spain) will be expanded. At the site in Augusta, Ga. (United States), engineering has already been started to prepare for a significant expansion of capacity for the American market. The announced investments are in addition to the capacity expansions as announced in 2006 in Kunshan (China), Ping Tung, and Santa Margarida. The investments at both Asian sites are fully aligned with and supported by Eternal Chemical, DSM's joint venture partner for these operations.
 
Columbia Chemical has named Tecnochimica its exclusive distributor in Italy. Since its foundation more than 25 years ago, the San Giuliano Milanese–based company has focused on the sale of specialty products to the electroplating industry, and has imported Columbia Chemical’s acid tin products for 18 years. “Thanks to Columbia Chemical technology and processes, we have achieved significant zinc business in the Italian plating market, said Fabio Farina, technical sales representative for Tecnochimica Italy. “Our partnership has enhanced our customer base and product turnover significantly.”

- 11 April 2008 -
In brief...Rohm and Haas Europe announced the acquisition of ACIL, its former exclusive distributor for the French powder coatings market. Based in Savigneux, France, ACIL has for 14 years positioned itself as a strong player in the French powder coating industry. "Through this acquisition we are clearly demonstrating our commitment to the powder coatings market," said Xavier Susterac, general manager powder coatings, Europe. "France remains a major market in the overall European powder coatings arena and one where we expect to see considerable growth opportunities through ACIL's excellent reputation and customer reach."

Machine tooling firm Haas Automation, Inc., of Oxnard Calif., announced the opening of two new Haas Factory Outlets (HFOs) in India to accommodate the country's booming manufacturing economy. The facilities are based in Bihwadi (near Delhi) and Ahmedabad. This brings to four the number of HFOs in India, with a fifth outlet scheduled to open in Chennai in June. Justin Quan, Haas business manager for Asia, noted that the Indian economy is remarkably strong. Calling it home to the largest forging facility in the world and citing GDP growth projections of 8% to 9% annually, he also noted that Indian airlines are going global, and a major Indian automotive manufacturer (Tata Motors) recently acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company. The shift from a labor-intensive type of production to high-tech CNC machine tools is one of the great drivers of Indian industry, he added. For more information about Haas Automation and Haas products, visit www.HaasCNC.com or call (800) 331-6746.




- 03 March 2008 -
PLATERS/PAINTERS Profile: Master Metal Finishers
Aluminum anodizing specialist leverages expertise in proprietary processes, innovation, and wealth of experience....more

- 04 February 2008 -
Converting a ‘Worker’ into a ‘Supervisor’
Are you faced with the daunting decision of hiring an outside manager or promoting an existing staff member? Should you choose the latter route, there’s an assessment map you need to follow...more

- 04 December 2007 -
You Can’t Forget Hazardous Wastes
When a waste material is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as hazardous, that classification can’t ever be rescinded. Finishers may stop using chromium in operations, but the chromium-containing wastes they previously disposed will always be theirs to own. In other words, the liability for management of a hazardous waste is permanent!...more