Membership Memo: Because You May Not Know, What You Don’t Know!

I often talk to companies considering a new powder coating system that don’t know basic aspects of their needs. Perhaps because they were assigned the task of investigating a new system without much direct experience, but just about as often, the owner or paint system manager is also unfamiliar with the myriad options currently available. Even those extremely familiar with their current powder process may not know much about other possibilities. In other words, they… and I’ll especially include myself in this… don’t know… what they don’t know!

I often recommend PCI membership and events to these customers so they can learn about their options, talk to those who already have systems, and investigate those who supply equipment or services to the market. The March Powder Coating 2018 Technical Conference is a great example of a networking environment to learn and collaborate with your peers.

An IntelliFinishing customer, JR Custom Metal Products of Wichita, KS, often tells their own story of four years investigating powder coating before getting their system. PCI was invaluable for them. At the PCI Custom Coater Forum held this past January, Jorge Martinez, Vice President of Sales & Marketing in their family business, expressed to me that some of the best information they learned was simply through the casual networking times at PCI events. He said listening in on conversations among other custom coaters and other members of PCI was a huge help to them.

Full disclosure: I am also a “newbie” within PCI. I was assigned to my company’s IntelliFinishing division late last spring with very little prior knowledge of paint systems. PCI has given me huge opportunities to learn, network, and make friends… and I have learned one thing well… I still have a lot to learn!

If you are considering PCI or PCI events… look me up! I’ll probably be learning right alongside you!

John Claman