finish line Sleepless in Aruba W hen I entered Customs after landing in Aruba last month to attend the NASF Management Conference, I realized most people around me were fellow Americans. As I overheard some of their conversations, I couldn't help but notice most tourists were talking about the state of the U.S. economy and the impact newly elected President Barack Obama might have on a rebound. Everywhere you rum, regardless of where you are in the world, the U.S. recession weighs heavilyon people's minds. The finishing industry has been particularly hard hit in the automotive sector, as the Big 3 struggle to keep their businesses afloat. The stock market lost approximately halfits value from around the same time last year,causing many publicly held companies to take extreme measures to maintain their businesses while delaying the retirements of countless others who have seen their 401(k) dwindle significantly. And while interest rates are near record lows, the credit crunch has led to much stricter lending criteria. These and other financial impacts were the subject of conversation as industry members did their best to mix business with pleasure at the convention. A spot survey of finishers and suppliers found Ql sales are down anywhere from 10-20% over the same period last year. In response, many companies are diversifying into multiple end-use sectors beyond automotive. Likewise, you're also seeing more platers expand their finishing services to include paint and powder coating. As we look ahead to the rest of the year, even though many of the economic indicators are pointing in the wrong direction, there is a sense of cautious optimism among industry members I spoke with that business conditions will gradually start to improve. People are hopeful that the economic stimulus package and new administration willhelp alleviatesome of the pressures impacting small to mid-size businesses. Some report business coming back to the U.S. from China; others say there are still profitable niches within the industry, particularly finishing for medical devices. To navigate these tough economic times, company owners and professionals across the industry are demanding strategic information like never before. Given the current state of the economy and ever-changing regulatory climate, finishers need to make the time and investment to attend events such as the upcoming Washington Forum, April 28-30, and SUR/FIN 2009 in June. Byparticipating in these events, you stand to gain new insights on policy developments and technologies that not only impact surface finishing but also help prepare you to survive the uncertain times that lie ahead. Clrde 033 on readerinformationcardor go to www.metalfinlshlng.com/aclvertlsers www.metalfinishing.com March 2009 I metalfinishing I5

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finishline

Sleepless in Aruba

W hen I entered Customs after landing in Aruba last monthto attend the NASF Management Conference, I realized

most people around me were fellow Americans. As I overheard someof their conversations, I couldn't help but notice most tourists weretalking about the state of the U.S. economy and the impact newlyelected President Barack Obama might have on a rebound.

Everywhere you rum, regardless of where you are in the world, theU.S. recession weighs heavilyon people's minds. The finishing industryhas been particularly hard hit in the automotive sector, as the Big 3struggle to keep their businesses afloat. The stock market lost approximately halfits value from around the same time last year,causing manypublicly held companies to take extreme measures to maintain theirbusinesses while delaying the retirements ofcountless others who haveseen their 401(k) dwindle significantly. And while interest rates are nearrecord lows, the credit crunch has led to much stricter lending criteria.

These and other financial impacts were the subject of conversation as industry members did their best to mix business with pleasure at the convention. A spot survey offinishers and suppliers found

Ql sales are down anywhere from 10-20% over the same periodlast year. In response, many companies are diversifying intomultiple end-use sectors beyond automotive. Likewise, you'realso seeing more platers expand their finishing services toinclude paint and powder coating.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, even though many ofthe economic indicators are pointing in the wrong direction, thereis a sense ofcautious optimism among industry members I spokewith that business conditions will gradually start to improve.People are hopeful that the economic stimulus package and newadministration will help alleviate some ofthe pressures impactingsmall to mid-size businesses. Some report business coming backto the U.S. from China; others say there are still profitable nicheswithin the industry, particularly finishing for medical devices.

To navigate these tough economic times, company ownersand professionals across the industry are demanding strategicinformation like never before. Given the current state of theeconomy and ever-changing regulatory climate, finishers needto make the time and investment to attend events such as theupcoming Washington Forum, April 28-30, and SUR/FIN 2009in June. By participating in these events, you stand to gain newinsights on policy developments and technologies that not onlyimpact surface finishing but also help prepare you to survivethe uncertain times that lie ahead.

Clrde 033 on readerinformationcardor go to www.metalfinlshlng.com/aclvertlsers

www.metalfinishing.com March 2009 I metalfinishing I 5