NEWS

U.S. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DIPS 1.1% IN MAY
Industrial production in the United States fell 1.1% in May, the 16th time in the last 17 months, a newly released government report stated. The largest decreases were in motor vehicles/parts and machinery. more

METALFORMERS EXPECT STEADY CONDITIONS OVER THE SHORT TERM
The newly released June 2009 Precision Metalforming Association Business Conditions Report shows metalformers anticipate stable economic activity during the next three months. more

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES JOB-CREATION INITIATIVES
Michigan governor Jennifer M. Granholm has announced an aggressive strategy to diversify the economy and attract investment in the state. The plan entails more than a dozen job-creating projects estimated to generate more than 11,100 new positions while retaining another 846 jobs. The plan will reportedly bring more than $247 million in new investment to communities across the state. more

NEWS IN BRIEF

General Motors recently announced plans to recall 900 laid-off workers and restore the second shift at a factory near Lansing, Mich., due to increased sales of its Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, and GMC Acadia large crossover vehicles, The New York Daily News reported. GM also said it has canceled plans to shut down the Spring Hill, Tenn., plant for an additional week in August because of increased demand for the Chevrolet Traverse crossover.

Xiom Corp. has appointed Joseph F. DiMario managing director of operations, under a management agreement with DiMario's Consulting Company, Gateway Management. DiMario's functions will be to manage the day-to-day operations and building Xiom Corp.'s infrastructure while focusing on forward-looking long-term planning. DiMario is an industrial engineer and turn-around specialist with a rich background in management and technical areas. One of DiMario’s career highlights was his stint with Latrobe Die Casting Company of Latrobe, Pa., where he reversed four consecutive unprofitable years. He also achieved a master's of science degree from Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate School of Industrial Administration, and a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University in engineering.

North American Galvanizing & Coatings, Inc., a leading provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coatings for corrosion protection of fabricated steel products, recently opened a new facility in Benwood, West Va. Construction of the facility was completed in May at which time the plant commenced a "soft start-up." The plant, the company’s eleventh facility, is now fully operational and in commercial mode. “We are very pleased with the construction process; the plant was completed on time and on budget,” said Ronald J. Evans, president and CEO. “We now look forward to implementing our marketing program and providing quality hot-dip galvanizing product and service.” The new plant, located three miles south of Wheeling, West Va., is centrally located in the vicinity of Interstates 77, 70, and 79—a location that will allow the company to more economically and efficiently service customers in the tri-state area, Evans added. For more information, please visit www.nagalv.com.

The Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC) has released IPC-4553A, Specification for Immersion Silver Plating for Printed Boards. This newly revised specification sets the requirements for the use of immersion silver (IAg) as a surface finish for printed boards, adding a maximum deposit thickness based on performance criteria; the minimum thickness requirement was provided in the original release of IPC-4553. Revision A also establishes a single thickness range to avert confusion between what is thin and thick. “What was formerly termed ‘thin’ is no longer recognized or addressed in IPC-4553A,” said subcommittee co-chair George Milad, national accounts manager for technology, Uyemura International Corp. “Thin immersion silver has declined to such a minor portion of the total immersion market that delineating two thickness ranges just exacerbated the confusion between board manufacturers and their chemical suppliers.” Additional questions should be directed to subcommittee staff liaison, Tom Newton, IPC director of PCB programs, standards and technology, at TomNewton@ipc.org or (847) 597-2849.

GLOBAL WATCH

Dürr Systems, Inc., supplier of plants and equipment for the automotive, environmental technologies, aircraft, mechanical engineering, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, has completed a new state-of-the-art paint facility for Daimler Trucks, N.A. in Saltillo, Mexico. This facility has begun production of the new Daimler Class 8 Trucks and is the second paint facility to be built in this area by Dürr Systems for a major automotive company. The plant features the latest paint process and application technologies, including pretreatment and electrocoat system, washer lines, and two topcoat lines, dual pass ovens, electrical controls, and eight Dürr EcoRP E robots. Four of the robots will utilize the EcoBell2 atomizers in the paint mix and delivery system for reduced paint usage and recycling of the air supply. Benefits of the above technologies are quality improvements, uniformity of coatings, minimal use of chemicals, lower energy utilization, and optimal use of manufacturing floor space. Special to the Daimler facility is the PT-ED programmable hoist and paint skid conveyors.

Canada-based Ferrinov, Inc., which has achieved a major technological breakthrough in the production of anticorrosion pigments, has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Wonder Technology Co., Ltd., for the distribution of approximately 6,000 metric tons of “green” pigments in the Chinese market. This agreement will enable Ferrinov to expand its plant in Sorel-Tracy and create 20 additional jobs. In order to increase its production capacity and fulfill the orders it has received, Ferrinov plans to invest $2 million in expanding its Sorel-Tracy plant. The plant will then produce 1,200 metric tons of pigments annually, compared with 200 metric tons at present. Work will likely be completed in August 2010, with the number of employees expected to rise from 10 to 30 people. Many of these include specialists in inorganic chemistry, hydrometallurgy, and organic chemistry.

PPG Refinish has renewed its U.K. warehousing and logistics contract with Norbert Dentressangle (ND) for another four years. Part of U.S.-based PPG Industries, PPG Refinish produces automotive coatings at the group’s factory in Stowmarket. ND was originally appointed by the former ICI Automotive Refinish division in 1997 and has since been retained by PPG following its acquisition of the ICI division in 1999.