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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12 APRIL 2016 — PFonline.com OF FINISHING EXCELLENCE 80 YEARS ECOAT16 Featured Latest in Coating Technology The ECOAT16 conference, hosted by Products Finishing and the Electrocoat Association, attracted its largest attendance since 2004. Attendees saw the latest in ecoat technology and heard from some of the top speakers in the fnishing industry, says Karen McGlothlin, executive director of the Electrocoat Association, which hosts the event every other year. "We were able to deliver a fantastic schedule of speakers, which really drove the attendance," she says. "In addition, many of the newest technology was on display during our Exhibit Night, where attendees could see the equipment and technol- ogy frst-hand." The conference was held in Orlando, Florida, and included an industry awards banquet, which honored those that made great contributions to the coat industry. The Dr. George E. F. Brewer awards went to Frank Knoth from The Crown Group, Jay Bassett from Spectrum Industries Inc., and Joe Subda from Axalta Coat- ing Systems. "We are already working on ECOAT18 and are expect- ing the same great success," says Todd Luciano, publisher of Products Finishing, which has produced the ecoat con- ference with the Electrocoat Association since its inception. Luciano says ECOAT18 will be at the Innisbrook Golf Re- sort in Palm Harbor, Florida, from April 24–26. To see pho- tos from the latest conference, visit electrocoat.org. N E W S Columbia Chemical Invests $250k to Upgrade Lab Equipment Columbia Chemical (Brunswick, Ohio) has completed a 12-month, $250,000 upgrade and replacement project for its key laboratory and analytical equipment. The renovation sup- ports the development of innovative chemistries and product support for customers and OEMs, while meeting ISO and ASTM standards. Upgraded equipment includes: ion chromatograph, high-performance liquid chromatograph, Fourier transform in- frared, Schatz torque tension unit, Kocour STEP test unit, UV/VIS spectroscope, scanning proflometer, X-ray fuorescence, metal- lographic microscope, neutral salt spray and stress analyzer. For more information, visit columbiachemical.com. Pro Plating Hosts Manufacturing Day Students Professional Plating and the Ariens Co. co-hosted Manufacturing Day in Brillion, Wisconsin. Manufacturing Day is an annual national event designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers. Over 160 students representing six local high schools attended the event in an efort to change people's perceptions about today's manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstand- ing opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide. "There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology; as well as problem-solve and react to the operational challenges of a fast-paced work environment," Professional Plat- ing's General Manager Larry Dietz says. "The average age of a manufacturing employee is 50 to 55 years old. Our concern is that between now and the year 2020, there will be an unprecedented number of skilled workers who will need to be replaced." For more information, visit proplating.com .