Products Finishing

JUN 2014

Products Finishing magazine is the No. 1 industrial finishing publication in the world. We keep our readers informed about the latest news and trends in plating, painting, powder coating, anodizing, electrocoating, parts cleaning, and pretreatment.

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Five years ago, major players within a key segment of the North American aluminum industry came together to defend their markets from an existential threat: the surge of extruded aluminum product, much of it anodized, being imported into the United States and Canada from China. What followed is described by some as a "defensive strategy" to protect previously tariff-free and highly competi- tive markets from the detrimental effects of unfair trade practices such as government subsidization and predatory under-cost pricing (dumping). As a result, this key segment of the aluminum industry remains safe and intact. To read more about this strategy, go to aluminumextruderscouncil. blogspot.com . Note that this surge in imports from China peaked in 2009, just as the North American economy was feeling the brunt of the post-housing-bubble recession. AEC's Jeff Henderson writes in his current blog (linked above) that the effect of fair trade initiatives is to have "delivered over 1 billion more pounds in aluminum extrusion shipments in 2013 as compared to 2009. This 32-percent increase in volume has led to extruders investing more than $700 million U.S. in the past two years." Fairness led to competi- tiveness, and that led to more business, more jobs and, one Free Trade Initiatives to the Rescue Rand Baldwin, President, Aluminum Anodizers Council, rbaldwin@tso.net could argue, better products for customers. Have aluminum anodizers and other metal finishers benefitted from this? Common sense indicates the answer is "yes." A myriad of consumer and industrial applications were targeted by the Chinese. Anodized and fabricated extrusions would have been easy targets. As more orders began pouring into North America, it became easier for custom service offerings using domestic warehouses to deliver just-in-time delivery programs. With subsidized production, artificially low prices, special delivery systems, and improving quality, the growth in Chinese extrusions had no barrier. In short, this portion of the domestic aluminum manufacturing industry was in dire peril of being completely outsourced. Fortunately, due to the foresight and diligence of leading aluminum manufacturers, that didn't happen. Our trade association, the Aluminum Anodizers Council, has remained aware and supportive of efforts to restore and maintain fair trade. AAC believes global trade is good for competition and consumers, but only when it is conducted freely and fairly. Rand Baldwin is chief of staff for the Aluminum Anodizers Council, a not-for-profit trade organization representing the interests of aluminum anodizing firms, suppliers and other members of the aluminum anodizing industry. For more infor- mation, visit anodizing.org . The 2014 Powder Coating Show, the only trade show dedicated to powder coating technology, is just around the corner. It will be held September 16-18, at the Lucas Oil Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sponsored by The Powder Coating Institute, the show is proudly recognized as the leading resource for technical and applied technology forums, as well as new product innova- tions and developments. This event is the single best oppor- tunity to meet and interact with leading professionals from the powder coating industry. The show will kick off with a keynote speech from Garrison Wynn, who helps people make the jump from being great at what they do to developing the qualities it takes to be consistently chosen for the job. He gets them to under- stand why their products, services or leadership styles—or those of their competitors—are selected. The Powder Coating Show will offer 44 hours of the top technical training sessions, along with about 100 exhibitors who make materials or equipment for, or provide services to Showtime! 2014 Powder Show Attracts Finishing Pros Dave Lurie, Executive Director, The Powder Coating Institute, dlurie@powdercoating.org the powder coating industry. The technical conference will offer a wide range of sessions targeting those just entering the coatings world as well as those who are much more experienced. It is broken up into four tracks: Pretreatment for Powder Coating Protection, Powder Coating from Start to Finish, Optimizing Your Powder Coating Process and Advancements in the World of Powder Coating. Attendees who have participated in past shows include engineers, tech- nical personnel, plant managers, quality control managers, purchasing personnel, applicators, presidents and CEOs, business owners, sales and marketing representatives, and more. In addition to the technical conference, the show will offer attendees time and opportunities for networking with the thousands of other powder coating professionals in attendance. There will be hospitality stations throughout the show floor and a special reception and Casino Night to benefit the PCI Scholarship Fund. To register or for more information, visit powdercoatingshow.com . 48 JUNE 2014 — pfonline.com ASSOCIATION DIGEST 0614_PF_Association Digest.indd 48 5/16/2014 1:49:46 PM

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