COVID-19 put the brakes on our industry last March and April when many states opted to enact a shutdown to quell the spread of the novel coronavirus. Production was curtailed, labs were reduced to 50% or fewer employees, and most office workers grabbed their laptops and headed home to set up shop. Fortunately, we have seen a rebound since then. 

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Shelley Verdun is the first to admit she likes a challenge. It’s a big part of who she is, quite frankly something she’s proud of, and rightfully so. No doubt her childhood is chock full of conquered challenges, but it’s Shelley’s journey to a career in powder coatings that serves as an inspiration for those just starting out, perhaps even more so to those already in the industry considering taking on a completely new role.

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When Allison Lee of Boise-based Coatings Plus became an owner of a powder powder coating business, she didn’t have a background in the powder coating industry. She did have tenacity, a positive attitude, and adventurous spirit. Eight years later, her adventure has just begun.

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Without the 25 women who make up just over a third of its workforce, Acme Finishing would surely be losing the war for talent. Acme has been in business since 1932 and is currently mired in one of the most difficult labor environments in its long history.

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Powder coatings, by their nature, possess rather good corrosion resistance. This is due to robust polymers, careful attention to metal cleaning and preparation, and in general, thicker coating films...

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It was June 23, 2016 when discussion ensued at the PCI Board of Directors meeting about ways to grow the association’s scholarship program and better engage the next generation of powder coating professionals.

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One only has to sit in the back of any FABTECH crowd or conference seminar room to view the sea of aged heads. Ours seems to be an aging community of...

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There are many types of education—teacher to students, online courses, on-the- job, and more. One program that has been running for two years now is delivering significant educational opportunities for participants.

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As this most unusual and unexpected year winds down, we thought it would be valuable to see how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the powder coating community and take a peek at what the future may hold. 

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It likely will be years before we fully understand all the ways our world changed because of COVID-19 and the concurrent domestic upheaval, virtual schooling, cancellations, shuttered businesses, lost jobs, lost lives; the dire impacts are heartbreaking and unfathomable.

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