- 11 January 2007 -
A New Year's Resolution to Expand Market Coverage

As we ring in the New Year, it is usually a time for looking back to the past and—more importantly—forward to the future. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on them.

At Metal Finishing magazine, we usually come up with several New Year's resolutions, all of which are designed to provide our readers with more information that can help them do their jobs more efficiently and improve their bottom lines. Which is why, in 2007, we are enhancing our market coverage to provide you with even more frequent reporting of new technical and business developments, hot topics, and issues affecting our industry.

One major initiative is expanded organic finishing coverage. Our market research found that a number of electroplaters are considering either entering this business or expanding existing paint/powder coating operations this year. Some platers are attempting to diversify their businesses to capitalize on niche market opportunities; others are positioning themselves as one-stop shops.

Whether you specialize in organic finishing of metal parts, or are a plater interested in learning more about coating materials, application methods, stripping, and testing, Metal Finishing is expanding its coverage to provide you with the answers. In each monthly issue, a diverse group of authors from academic, professional, and business backgrounds will inform you about the latest advances in paint/powder coating R&D, equipment, materials, and processes. This includes Metal Finishing's Organic Coatings Editor, Ron Joseph, who has more than 30 years' experience in the paint and coatings business.

But that's not all. The pages of the magazine will come alive via a series of two-day courses we are organizing in four cities this year that will provide a greater and more positive understanding of powder coating. (Visit www.metalfinishing.com/powderlasses). The courses, instructed by the powder coating experts at TIGER Drylac USA, will help take your operation to the next level. Topics range from pre-treatment and powder application to equipment selection, oven and cure issues, troubleshooting, and so much more. Registration is $395 per person and includes course materials, a CD of the proceedings, certificate of completion, lunch for two days, and admission to the networking reception.

These programs are indicative of our commitment to serving job and captive shop operators in a way that no other industry publication can. It also exemplifies our ability to provide readers with the information they need to help them become more successful in running their businesses. If you’re interested in registering for the Powder Coating Academy, have specific questions about our paint/coatings coverage, or have a special request/question relative to organic finishing, please contact me at +1-212-633-3105, or via e-mail at g.valero@elsevier.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

--Greg Valero, g.valero@elsevier.com