About 10 years ago, corporate America got the brilliant idea to relocate U.S. manufacturing off-shore to low labor cost countries. This would save them money, increase margins and please shareholders. So off they trotted to China, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to have parts, subassemblies and often fully fabricated goods manufactured in these foreign lands.

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Associations are a group of people or companies organized for a common purpose. In the case of The Powder Coating Institute (PCI®), that purpose is to promote the benefits of powder coating. The idea is that this group of people or companies can have a greater impact to move their agenda forward together than as individual companies.

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Often used to cure powder coatings, combination ovens—ovens that employ both infrared and convection— usually connect infrared and convection heating zones together in series: that is, a zone of infrared followed by a zone of convection. This is logical given that when curing powder coatings, the objective is first to fuse the coating, then cure it.

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One masking supplier’s ability to quickly arrive at a solution for this Orange County, Calif., sheet metal shop was the pinnacle for what is now a decade-and-a-half-long business relationship.

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For the past decade or so, researchers have been exploring the possibilities of incorporating bio-based materials into powder coating formulas. At this juncture, they are yet to make a commercial breakthrough. Efforts are being renewed to re-explore the possibilities. Will these programs finally bear fruit? Let’s take a look at the issues.

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Slated for September 16-18, 2014, and brought to you by The Powder Coating Institute, the 2014 Powder Coating Show is the only tradeshow solely dedicated to the powder coating industry in North America! Proudly recognized as the leading resource for technical and applied technology forums as well as new product innovations and developments, this is your single best opportunity to meet and interact with the leading professionals from the powder coating industry.

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When Cambridge, MN-based Accent Ornamental Iron installed a powder coating system to finish its intricate iron designs, the fabricator was able to not only complete its own projects rather than subcontracting (jobbing) them out, but also start a new business as a custom coater for other shops.

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Julie Hanes has joined The Powder Coating Institute (PCI®) as events manager. She is an action and results-oriented meeting/event planner with strong organization background and 14-plus years’ experience.

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The Powder Coating Institute (PCI®) announced the 2014 Executive Committee and Board of Directors at the beginning of January.

The Executive Committee for 2014 is Bob Allsop, Nordson, President; John Cole, Parker Ionics, Vice President; and John Sudges, Midwest Finishing Systems, Secretary/Treasurer.

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While it is true that the ability to reclaim overspray powder is a prominent selling point of the powder coating process, this does not mean that it makes sense for you under every circumstance. Everyone who either has an existing powder coating process or is looking to purchase one must eventually come to grips with this issue. Surprisingly, most people look at this dilemma the wrong way because they get mesmerized by the technology rather than analyzing this issue using normal cost accounting techniques.

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