We have an old alkyd and polyester resin manufacturing plant, and we want to increase productivity. Can you suggest some cost-effective ways to do this?

I receive hundreds of calls and e-mails asking for sources of information or advice on how to do things. Everyone needs information and training to sustain their business. The most common inquiries right now are related to new ideas for part pretreatment (fewer stages, lower heat, less chemical use), powder coating on plastics, how to build an oven and sources for training. Different answers apply depending on the exact nature of the question, but I always try to give directions on where to find the needed information.

Hello to all! For those who haven't heard, let me introduce myself as the new executive director of The Electrocoat Association. I bring with me more than 12 years finishing experience and over 17 years professional business experience. I have formerly held a position on the marketing committee of the association and am excited to be involved in the industry and association again. I look forward to meeting many industry partners in the coming months.

When e-coat service provider Autocoat needed to cut its reject rate and labor costs as well as improve its efficiency, reconfiguring its racks proved to be profitable.

If the pumps in your e-coat system are throttled back, you may want to consider installing a variable frequency drive. Read on for how VFDs not only save you energy, but also can increase pump life and improve the quality and consistency of your process sprays.

You may recall the Publishers Letter I wrote last year, which informed you that Industrial Paint & Powder was introducing a new way to do business in the coatings industry (March 2005, page 4). I have always believed it is the responsibility of the industry-leading magazine to help create the marketplace serving its readers' best interests.

The sale of the assets of Magruder Color to Pochteca Color Co. LLC was completed on Friday, December 16. Pochteca Color has changed its name to Magruder Color LLC.

It is an impressive thing to see a very large job shop coater running high volume, high quality products on a three-shift basis and delivering finished product within one week of the customer order.

In our first annual Powder Report, Industrial Paint & Powder talked with several industry experts about powder coatings and their part in the finishing industry. Read on for what some of the industry's suppliers think about powder's place and performance in the market.

Fitz Chem Corp., Itasca, Ill., a distributor/sales agent of raw materials to the coatings, plastics, ink, construction, adhesives, I & I and personal care industries, announced that Penny Kichka has joined its customer service department as a customer service representative.