- 11 October 2006 -
Third DoD Conference Slated for November

A third Department of Defense (DoD) metal finishing conference has been scheduled to take place Nov. 28-29, in Washington, D.C. The first two of such conferences on the environment, technology and defense coatings needs, were held earlier this year in May. The Policy Group is encouraging interested finishing industry representatives and suppliers to attend.

The May event, held in concert with the industry's SFIC Washington Forum, was hosted by the Pentagon's Strategic Environment R&D Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). Specifically, it focused on environmental regulatory challenges for surface finishing processes.  Representatives from throughout the defense maintenance depot system attended with key industry technical representatives to discuss emerging coating applications and alternatives in the defense manufacturing base.  The technical exchange and follow-up "workshop report" will help guide DoD decisions on implementing "clean" processes and research on new technologies.

The May 2006 meeting was so successful for DoD that Pentagon officials are holding a second workshop on November 28-29, 2006 in Washington, D.C.  The meeting will be held jointly with the Pentagon’s popular annual event – "Partners in Environmental Technology:  Technical Symposium and Workshop," which attracts nearly 1,000 attendees every year. The metal finishing meeting will focus on what the Pentagon can learn from commercial finishing successes that minimize environmental and health risks in aerospace, weapons systems, transportation and related defense manufacturing operations.

The meeting will consist of two parts: Tuesday, Nov. 28, will feature an afternoon kick-off session that will be facilitated by Keith Legg (Rowan Technologies) and will feature presentations from the Pentagon and the metal finishing industry, including:  Christian Richter (The Policy Group), Craig Bishop (Atotech), John Beatty (Army Research Laboratory), Joe Osborne (The Boeing Company), Sheldon Toepke (Aerospace Consultant), and Luke Haylock (Alcoa Fastening Systems – Aerospace). 

A special "Side Meeting" on the following day will provide a more open forum for manufacturers, metal finishing industry suppliers, and DoD depots officials to discuss DoD surface coating needs, how industry solutions and expertise can inform defense decisions, technology gaps to be filled by future research and development programs, and how best to maintain DoD/industry collaboration to meet future military needs and regulatory requirements. 

To register for the SERDP/ESTCP Symposium, download the forms at https://sems.serdp-estcp.org/annualSympRegForm.jsp (There is a registration fee of $125. Lastly, if you plan to attend, please reach Christian Richter or Jeff Hannapel in order to confirm an accurate number of attendees. If you have any questions, please contact Christian Richter or Keith Legg at (202) 530-5910.