Press Releases

2009

2008

 

NPCA/FSCT Changes Name to American Coatings Association

Dec. 1, 2009 — On Jan. 1, 2010, the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA/FSCT) will change its name to the American Coatings Association (ACA). The change marks the culmination of the merger between the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT), which was finalized in 2009. The NPCA/FSCT Board of Directors approved the identity change in October. In addition, all current NPCA/FSCT operations in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. will be transferred to the Washington, DC headquarters as of Jan. 1.

According to NPCA/FSCT President Andy Doyle, "By adopting the name, American Coatings Association, we will retire the two historically distinct identities associated with NPCA and FSCT. As the American Coatings Association, we will move forward in the future as one united organization capable of serving all members of our industry while continuing our commitment to environmental protection, product stewardship, and science and technology."

The organization has also adopted a new logo, reminiscent of the color wheel. The image is intended to evoke the organization’s combined mission and bring to mind the science involved in manufacturing, research and development of industry’s products, as well as the products themselves.

Through its renewed identity, the association remains committed to serving both industry professionals and companies as the American Coatings Association.

For more information, please contact Lisa Román at (202) 462-6272.

 

NPCA/FSCT Supports Passage of the HIRE Act
Economy Will Benefit from Consumer and Retailer Tax Incentives

Washington, D.C., July 31, 2009 — The National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA/FSCT) strongly supports legislation introduced by Congressmen Hank Johnson (D-GA), Nathan Deal (R-GA), and a bipartisan group of 11 members of Congress that is intended to enable consumers to purchase products home furnishings and building products.

H.R. 3382, the Home Improvements Revitalize the Economy (HIRE) Act, establishes targeted consumer tax incentives for the purchase of building products and home furnishings such as architectural coatings, mattresses, furniture, flooring, and other home-related products.

"Not only would this bill help stimulate the manufacturing market for home furnishings and building products, it would save and create retail jobs, generate billions in revenue and increase home values at a time when we really need a boost," Congressman Johnson said. Congressman Deal added: "The HIRE Act will offer incentives for consumers who would otherwise forgo spending in 2009 and 2010, allowing them to improve their homes. And, in turn, jump-start the home furnishings and building products market."

Provisions of the HIRE Act, which apply to households with income up to $300,000, provide a tax deduction of $2,000 per family and tax credits of $500 for the purchase of qualified building products and home furnishings. These credits are doubled for products meeting certain environmental certifications. Retailers would be eligible for related tax credits of up to $10,000 under provisions of the bill.

The HIRE Act is supported by the Home Furnishings and Building Products Coalition, which was organized in late 2008 and brings together 14 associations representing home improvement and furnishing industries, including the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA/FSCT), the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), and the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). NPCA/FSCT and other members of the coalition are now mobilizing their members to help secure additional co-sponsors for the HIRE Act. Members have sent letters, made phone calls and visited with their Congressmen to advocate for the HIRE Act.

 

NPCA/FSCT Launches First CoatingsWiki

Washington, D.C., June 2, 2009 — NPCA/FSCT has announced the launch of the coatings industry's first wiki. CoatingsWiki, accessible at www.coatingstech.org/wiki, is patterned after the popular online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. The NPCA/FSCT CoatingsWiki provides a collaborative online environment where industry professionals can obtain information, as well as submit and edit content. Information and definitions on all topics related to coatings can be added, categorized, and modified by the global coatings community.

All members of the coatings industry are invited to participate by posting tutorials, articles, examples, and other resources on the wiki. To add content or edit existing articles, users must set up a log-in account with a username and password. The Help area of the CoatingsWiki provides easy to follow instructions for setting up an account and formatting articles.

Recent additions to the CoatingsWiki include entries on "Clearcoat" and "Pigment Volume Concentration."

Learn more about coatings and contribute to the depth of knowledge on topics critical to the industry. Visit the CoatingsWiki today. For additional information, contact NPCA/FSCT at info@coatingstech.org.

 

NPCA/FSCT Presents James Weil with its George Baugh Heckel Award

Washington, D.C., Apr. 30, 2009 -- During the Honors Luncheon of its 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, NPCA/FSCT presented James Weil, President of Complementary Coatings Corp. (doing business as INSL-X Products Corporation), and the association's outgoing chairman, with NPCA's George Baugh Heckel Award. This award is the association's highest honor.

Weil, known widely as "Jimmy," has spent much of his life entrenched in the industry and active in NPCA efforts. In 2004, NPCA honored Weil with its Industry Achievement Award for his leadership of its Membership & Association Consolidation Subcommittee, tasked with reviewing NPCA's membership recruitment and retention activities. With a renewed vision for opportunities to expand NPCA's reach, Weil brought an extraordinary ability to "think outside the box" to address challenges the association deals with daily, with a fresh approach and results-oriented agenda. His keen perception of the issue allowed him to develop a specific action plan for membership recruitment and retention that fit into the association's overall strategic plan. Weil, who chaired NPCA's former Membership Committee, was also a member of NPCA's State Affairs Committee and the longtime president of the New York Paint & Coatings Association.

Following graduation from Boston University School of Communications in 1972, Weil matriculated at the University Law School. His life in the industry took root when family obligations forced him to take a leave of absence from law school and return home to work in his family's paint business, where he worked in all areas from general maintenance to shipping, from product development to production. In 1979, he acquired the business, Stevens Paint, changed the name to INSL-X Products Corp. after acquiring this manufacturer of insulating varnish, and over a period of several years acquired a number of other paint companies, including Proctor Paint, Bruning Paint, and Coronado Paint Co.

In 1989, INSL-X purchased property and built a 190,000 sq. foot environmentally friendly facility on 25 acres in Stony Point, N.Y., which was home to its manufacturing facilities and executive offices. INSL-X also has manufacturing facilities in Edgewater, Fla., Baltimore, Md., and warehouses in Schertz, Tex., Elk Grove, Ill., and San Bernardino, Calif. INSL-X manufactures and distributes coatings throughout the United States and also exports products. INSL-X has separate companies, including Lenmar, Inc. and Trinity Coatings Company that manufacture and distribute lacquer as well as coatings to the flooring industry. At one point, INSL-X was the 25th largest paint manufacturer in North America, 61st largest paint manufacturer worldwide, and was either the first or second largest privately owned paint producer prior to its sale to Benjamin Moore Paint Co.

Weil is committed to his philanthropic work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gilda's Club of Westchester, and the Anti-Defamation League, which recently presented him with the League's Man of the Year Award.

While he has accomplished much professionally, he has also led a fulfilling personal life. He and his wife Judy have a daughter and son, Mandy and Marc, to whom they are fiercely devoted. Affectionately referred to by his family as a born comedian, his passions include singing and his philosophy in life has been "life is not easy but the most important thing is to be able to laugh."

 

Brian Heath Receives NPCA/FSCT's Industry Excellence Award

Washington, D.C., Apr. 30, 2009 -- Brian Heath received NPCA/FSCT's Industry Excellence Award during its 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, April 26-28. The NPCA/FSCT Industry Excellence Award is granted to individuals who have distinguished themselves through many years of service to the paint industry, and have made significant contributions to NPCA through participation on one or more of NPCA's Issue Management Committees.

Heath, who retired earlier this year from The Valspar Corporation, after spending the last 38 years there — the past 20 years in Valspar's Regulatory Affairs Department — was a dedicated and influential member of NPCA's Labeling and Product Stewardship Committees. He began his service to NPCA in 1982 as a member of the NPCA Labeling Committee at a crucial time when new and comprehensive labeling changes required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) required massive revisions in labels used for paint products used in the workplace. Heath was instrumental in supporting NPCA's efforts to develop constructive guidance on the OSHA-HCS, leading to the publication of an advanced supplement to the NPCA Paint Industry Labeling Guide in 1987, known as the NPCA Health Effects Labeling Approach (HELA ).

In 1991, Heath helped develop the Fourth Edition of the NPCA Paint Industry Labeling Guide, which was the first guide to utilize the "one-label concept" for label content provided on consumer and industrial product labels. In 1994, Heath became a charter member of the newly formed NPCA Labeling and Product Safety Committee, which, in addition to managing the industry's labeling guidance, also developed support publications for chemical control legislation and regulations, including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). He developed special expertise in TSCA, and could always be relied on by NPCA to provide insight and analysis of particularly difficult compliance scenarios. One of the most infamous scenarios involved a U.S. EPA interpretation that the "polymer salts" would require "pre-approval" by the agency before manufacturing. Heath's insight on the impact of this new interpretation helped frame a successful effort by NPCA to roll back this interpretation — an action which continues to provide benefits to the industry to this day.

With the advent of the Coatings Care® program and the attendant reorganization of NPCA's Issue Management Committees to align with the scope of this new program in 1997, Heath became a charter member of NPCA's new Product Stewardship Committee. As a longstanding and continuing committee member, he has helped develop the current guidance for the Product Stewardship Code under Coatings Care. He also assisted in the development of the Fifth Edition of the NPCA Paint Industry Labeling Guide, published in December 1999 and revised in May of 2005.

 

NPCA/FSCT Honors Five Individuals with Industry Statesman Awards

Washington, D.C., Apr. 30, 2009 -- Five individuals received Industry Statesman Awards during NPCA/FSCT's 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, April 26-28. The Industry Statesman Award is an honor given by NPCA to persons in recognition and appreciation of their long and devoted service to the paint and coatings industry.

The following are NPCA/FSCT's 2009 Industry Statesman Award recipients.

W. Rodney Biddle, retired from Reichhold as senior vice president, Global Coatings for a second time at the end of 2008 after 41 years of service. Biddle, who was a member of NPCA's Board of Directors, and past chairperson of the Industrial Coatings Committee, also served on NPCA's Architectural Coatings and Membership Committees. Biddle joined Reichhold in 1976 in the Textile Chemicals sales division. In 1981, he was appointed business development manager in the Emulsion Polymers business and began his involvement in the coatings and adhesives industries. He was appointed marketing director of the coatings business in 1989 and later served as vice president of sales and marketing and vice president and business manager for the coatings business. In 2000, the company refocused its efforts in the emulsion polymers arena and he was appointed vice president and general manager of that business. In 2002, after completing a joint venture with Dow Chemical, he retired from Reichhold and joined the CHEMARK Consulting Group as vice president and partner focusing on merger and acquisition opportunities in the coatings business. Biddle returned to Reichhold in 2004 to lead the North American Coatings business. A year later, as a member of Reichhold's Executive Team and senior vice president for Global Coatings, Rodney was part of the management team that put together the management buyout of Reichhold from DIC.

Biddle holds a BA in business from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an MBA from Wilmington University in Wilmington, DE.

Of his years in the coatings industry, Biddle says, "The coatings industry offers an excellent career opportunity for anyone that is interested in a diverse set of market segments and is willing to look for the options that are created by customer demand, government regulation and the ever present consolidation of both suppliers and producers. Participation in the NPCA programs, meetings and networking opportunities is the foundation to success in our industry. I have worked in many diverse businesses and have never found the same level of shared goals and willingness to help a new person become part of the industry as I have been privileged to receive in the paint and coatings industry."

Joseph Junkin, retired from California Products Corporation, where he was president and CEO from 1974 to 2008. In the past 20 years, Junkin served on NPCA's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and Coatings Care®, Membership, and Management Information Committees. In 2004, Junkin received NPCA's Industry Achievement Award for his outstanding service as chairman of NPCA's State Affairs Strategic Planning Subcommittee. During his tenure as subcommittee chair he helped gauge the effectiveness of the association's State Paint Council Network, making sure that NPCA members were getting true value for their dues dollars, which support the State Affairs program's paint councils, covering states key to the industry's health and prosperity.

Junkin, who worked in venture capital and investment banking for nine years at Robert Fleming Inc., Stralem & Co., and Smith Barney, prior to California Products, holds a BA from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Junkin is a former trustee of the Middlesex Schools, served on the Finance Committee of the Historic New England, was former Chairman of Weston Finance Committee, a trustee of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Charles D. Storms, retired in 2008 from Red Spot Paint & Varnish Company, Inc., following 42 years of service. Storms joined the company in 1966, holding various management roles until his appointment as chairman, president and CEO in 1993. Since the late 1980s, he has been an active participant in NPCA activities and decision-making, serving on the association's Board of Directors, Coatings Care®, Industrial Coatings, Membership and Small Business Committees. During his 42 years in the paint and coatings industry, Storms was an active member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineering/ Association for Finishing Processes (SME/AFP), and the Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC), authoring numerous technical papers on coatings for plastics, for which he was recognized with the societies' professional awards. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Old National Bank, Karges Furniture Company, Uniseal, YMCA and Federal Reserve Board of the Louisville Branch of the St. Louis District. Storms earned a BS in Business Administration from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

James Swanson, retired in 2008 as Rohm and Haas Company's vice president and general manager for Paint and Coatings Materials, North America Region. An active association member, he served on NPCA's Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Architectural Coatings Committee. Swanson joined Morton International, Inc. in 1992 as director of sales for Powder Coatings. He was elected vice president and named general manager of Powder Coatings in 1996. Rohm and Haas Company purchased Morton International in 1999, and elected Swanson a company vice president and member of its Leadership Council. He served as business director for Powder Coatings until 2002, when he was named to his final position before retirement. Before joining Morton International, Swanson held various positions in engineering, sales and marketing for Air Products and Chemicals from 1979 to 1992. Previously, he held engineering positions at both Celanese Chemical and Texaco, Inc. Swanson earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from Wilkes University.

Joseph P. Walton, retired principal of Jamestown Paint Company, has served the paint and coatings industry, his community and our country dutifully for the last four decades. He was a member of NPCA's Board of Directors from 2001 to 2003 and 2005 to 2007 and was on NPCA's Manufacturing and Owner/Manager Committee. He also chaired and was a member of NPCA's Manufacturing Management Committee. A former member of FSCT's Board, he served as its president from 1994 to1995 and on its Executive Committee from 1992 to 1996. He was also Chairman of FSCT's Manufacturing and Finance Committees. Walton was a member of the Cleveland Paint & Coatings Association, serving as its president from 1993 to 1994 and on its Executive Committee from 1981 to 2004. Walton served in the U. S. Navy on active duty from 1971 to 1973, and in the Reserves from 1973 to1976. In addition, he has served on numerous boards and civic organizations, including the First National Bank of Pennsylvania and its Executive Committee, and University of Pittsburgh Horizon Hospital. He was also former Councilman and Mayor of the Borough of Greenville, Penn. Walton holds a BA from Wheeling Jesuit University and has done graduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University and Penn State University.

 

NPCA/FSCT Honors Five Industry Members with Industry Achievement Awards

Washington, D.C., Apr. 30, 2009 -- Five industry members received Industry Achievement Awards during NPCA/FSCT's 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, April 26-28. These awards are presented to individuals for their distinguished achievement in service to the industry.

In 2000, the California Air Resources Board amended its aerosol coatings regulation and changed from mass-based volatile organic compound limits to reactivity-based Maximum Incremental Reactivity standards for this source category. At the time, there was a great deal of pressure on state agencies to meet their federal State Implementation Plan (SIP) requirements and it became clear that state environmental agencies were going to look at previously unregulated source categories. In an effort to create a uniform system of regulation for aerosol coatings and to prevent state agencies from adopting state rules that would have differed from one another, a dedicated workgroup of NPCA's Spray Paint Manufacturing Committee (SPMC) immediately assumed leadership of this issue, taking aggressive steps to seek a national air quality rule for aerosol coatings products. The following individuals comprised the workgroup, committing an extraordinary amount of time and resources to seeing through the development of a tenable national rule: Patrick Gieske, Technical Manager, The Valspar Corporation; Gregory Johnson, Director, Legislative Affairs for Diversified Brands, The Sherwin-Williams Company; Michael Murphy, Corporate Counsel, Rust-Oleum Corporation; and Edward Piszynski, Vice President of Laboratory Services, Bridgeview Aerosols LLC.

By working diligently on advocacy efforts in the states to defer state rulemakings to a national rule, to working with U.S. EPA to promulgate a national rule for aerosol coatings (petitioning, drafting comments, providing market data on aerosol coatings, diligent review of the rule in development, etc.), this dedicated workgroup of the SPMC has assured that the standards for this source category are uniform and consistent across the country.

While it is difficult to determine the actual cost savings to the aerosol coatings industry, these consistent standards mean that, in most cases, manufacturers do not have to reformulate nor will they be required to re-label their products — a significant cost savings.

Dr. Dean Webster, a professor in the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials at North Dakota State University, has been an active participant on many committees responsible for the educational programs at FSCT and a strong advocate for student participation. Having served on FSCT's Professional Development Committee since 2002, this year he will serve as an instructor for the upcoming Virtual Learning Conference on Marine Coatings, and is a member of the planning committee for the NPCA/FSCT International Marine and Offshore Coatings AC Series.

Webster has been awarded the prestigious Roon Award for technical excellence at the FSCT annual meeting programs in 2003, 2004, 2006, and at FutureCoat! in 2008. He and his colleagues at North Dakota State University developed, on behalf of FSCT, the Guide to Coatings Calculations, which is offered as a member benefit on the FSCT website. He received a B.S. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering Science, both from Virginia Tech.

Prior to joining NDSU in 2001, he worked for Sherwin-Williams at their Central Research Laboratories in Chicago and at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tenn. His current research interests include the design of high performance polymer and coating systems, use of high throughput methods in the development of new materials, low surface energy coatings, radiation curable polymer systems for microelectronics, and the use of natural products in materials.

Webster has served as chair for the Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering of the American Chemical Society in 2008, and chair-elect in 2007. He currently serves on the editorial board for Progress in Organic Coatings.

 

NPCA/FSCT to Fully Merge to Create New, Stronger Organization

Washington, D.C., Jan. 16, 2009 -- The National Paint and Coatings Association and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (NPCA/FSCT) have announced their intent to complete a full merger of the two organizations by March 31, 2009. After that time, the NPCA/FSCT will become one fully integrated coatings industry association providing goods and services for science and technology professionals, as well as corporate members.

Since June 2008, NPCA and FSCT have been operating as two separate but aligned organizations. However, the current economic conditions, and a substantial decrease in both short- and long-term FSCT revenues, now require the two organizations to pursue a full organizational merger. The goal of the merger is to create a stronger, more cohesive organization allowing NPCA/FSCT to provide the advocacy and public policy programs NPCA is traditionally known for, while preserving and eventually enhancing the highly valued technical programs currently provided by FSCT.

FSCT programs and services will be continued by the new NPCA/FSCT and will include, among others, the following:

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NPCA's eCoatings and FSCT's Coatings Edge

The NPCA and FSCT e-newsletters have been combined into a new e-newsletter entitled Coatings Today, which will provide members with information on all aspects of the association's services, as well as breaking news within the industry. This will be distributed semi-monthly beginning Jan. 2009.

NPCA's Coatings Newsletter/FSCT's JCT CoatingsTech Journal

The NPCA newsletter will be discontinued. The information normally highlighted in Coatings will be featured in Coatings Today and CoatingsTech throughout 2009, and will be distributed to members of both organizations. In 2010, a new industry publication will be created, which will represent the voice of the newly combined NPCA/FSCT association. This new publication will feature association, industry, regulatory, and legislative information, and will serve as an important source of information on technology in practice.

Journal of Coatings Technology and Research (JCTR) and Other Important Technical Publications

NPCA/FSCT will continue to develop and support the publication of important technical work for the industry, continuing the tradition of such publications as the JCTR, Infrared Spectroscopy Atlas, the Service Life Prediction proceedings, and Coatings Encyclopedic Dictionary.

FSCT and NPCA Websites

These two communications vehicles will be merged into one website for the newly combined organization, offering all services in a consolidated manner. As such, members will continue to have access to all current services in a much more centralized and efficient manner. The combining of current websites will take place during 2009. In the meantime, NPCA/FSCT will enhance the compatibility and functionality of the two sites to provide members with easier access to NPCA/FSCT services.

CoatingsTech Conference/Annual Meeting

During the years that NPCA/FSCT does not host the American Coatings Show and Conference (beginning in 2009), a world-class, industry-wide technical conference will be held in conjunction with or following the NPCA/FSCT Executive Leadership Conference/Annual Meeting. The next CoatingsTech Conference will take place on April 27-29, 2009 in Indianapolis, IN.

Education and Training

FSCT's Advancement in Coatings Series (ACSeries) and the Virtual Learning Conferences (VLCs) will continue after the full merger is complete. Such science and technology education and training will bolster the ongoing regulatory and legislative programs offered by NPCA.

Liaison with Local Societies and Associations

The newly combined association will continue to support the work of the local associations and local societies. The FSCT Society Liaison Council (SLC) will continue to be an important vehicle for interaction between the NPCA/FSCT and the various local organizations. The SLC will continue to meet and serve as a key communication link into the NPCA/FSCT. In the future, the NPCA/FSCT will consult with the membership on how to best involve the local associations and paint councils in this or a similar manner.

Coatings Industry Education Foundation (CIEF)

The new combined association will continue to provide staff and administrative support for the CIEF and to look for ways to help grow this important organization.

NPCA/FSCT Committees

The NPCA/FSCT committee structure will continue to serve as an important source for volunteer leadership and participation in the newly merged organization. NPCA is conducting a committee evaluation process led by its Board of Directors. That process will now include FSCT committees as well. The goal will be to streamline the committee structure so that it supports the new NPCA/FSCT, while providing members with direct access to the new organization.

FSCT and NPCA Membership Categories

The newly combined association will continue to offer NPCA corporate membership categories as well as all FSCT individual membership categories at their current rates. Current FSCT members will continue to receive all FSCT member goods and services with no disruption including but not limited to JCT Coatings Tech, member pricing for all education and training programs (CoatingsTech Conference, ACSeries, VLCs), access to the association's web site, issues of the e-newsletter Coatings Today, member pricing for the JCTR or free online access to the archives, as well as member pricing for all science and technology related publications. In the future, new incentive programs will be explored to enhance the value of membership in NPCA/FSCT.

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In the coming weeks, NPCA/FSCT will provide updates on the progress of the merger and the benefits for NPCA/FSCT members. In the meantime, a survey of the entire membership will be taken to ensure that the new NPCA/FSCT continues to meet member needs during and after the merger and reorganization process.

 

NPCA/FSCT: A Stronger Organization for a Stronger Industry
Q&A

Why did NPCA and FSCT announce their plans to fully merge?

While the original intention of the merger was for NPCA and FSCT to operate as two separate organizations working in tandem, current economic conditions, including a substantial decline in FSCT revenues, have presented challenges that require a quicker consolidation of the programs, as well as the organizations, by March 31, 2009. By merging, the two organizations will be able to consolidate resources and create a stronger, more cohesive industry organization capitalizing on the strong technical training programs of FSCT and the advocacy and public policy programs of NPCA.

The announcement of original merger approval was released in June. What will happen after March 31?

The initial intention of the merger was for NPCA and FSCT to operate as two separate organizations working in tandem. NPCA and FSCT spent the past 6 months becoming familiar with one another's products, services, and operations. This effort allowed both organizations to assess ways of working more efficiently by reducing duplication of efforts, and also allows NPCA/FSCT to make informed decisions about the best use of resources.

Will FSCT membership change?

No. All FSCT member categories will continue and all FSCT members will continue to receive all member goods and services with no disruption, including but not limited to JCT CoatingsTech, member pricing for all education and training programs (CoatingsTech Conference, ACSeries, and VLCs), access to the association's website, issues of Coatings Today e-newsletter, member pricing for the JCTR or free online access to JCTR issues, and member pricing for all science and technology related publications.

Will NPCA membership change?

No. NPCA members will continue to receive all member goods and services they are receiving now but also have access to current FSCT goods and services.

The monthly newsletter Coatings will be discontinued, although the information will be featured in JCT CoatingsTech journal and the new e-newsletter Coatings Today throughout 2009. In 2010, a new publication will be created that will feature association, industry, regulatory and legislative information, and will serve as an important source of information on technology in practice.

NPCA and FSCT have different locations and staffs. Where will the FSCT/NPCA headquarters be and will there be staff changes?
Upon completion of the merger, all services and programs for members (companies and individuals) will be provided by one organization from one location headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Plymouth Meeting office location will be closed and staff responsibilities will be consolidated as appropriate.

What will be the governing structure of the new organization?
The NPCA/FSCT will be governed by one Executive Committee and one Board of Directors. Election to these bodies will be in accordance with the process currently utilized by NPCA. The separate FSCT Board of Directors and Management Council will be retired upon completion of the merger.

What about elections for new positions on the FSCT Management Council?
In light of the expected merger, the FSCT Management Council elections announced in the most recent issue of JCT CoatingsTech will no longer be held.

Why is NPCA/FSCT conducting a member survey?
A survey of the entire membership will be taken to ensure that the new NPCA/FSCT continues to meet member needs during and after the merger and reorganization process.

When will the member survey be distributed?
The member survey will begin distribution Jan. 27, and the process will last approximately two weeks. It will take several additional weeks to create a results report that will be used in conjunction with the merger and reorganization process.

 

IPPIC Releases Its Global Paint and Coatings Industry Market Analysis Report

Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2009 - The International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC), in conjunction with Orr & Boss, Inc., is pleased to announce the availability of its Global Paint and Coatings Industry Market Analysis Report. This comprehensive research report offers unparalleled insights into the size, growth rate, market dynamics, customer and competitive movements, and important trends and driving forces within the global paint and coatings industry.

The report covers the three primary categories of coatings — Decorative, Original Equipment Manufacturers and Special Purpose — and the many sub-segments within each of these categories. In addition, the global coatings marketplace will be segmented to offer major region and country-specific information for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

The Global Market Analysis is a single volume, easy-to-read document packed with interesting information, insightful and colorful charts, graphs, tables, and other illustrations. Anyone interested in making sound decisions and investments within the global coatings marketplace will find this report extremely useful.

Members of the 12 associations that comprise IPPIC may purchase an electronic version of this invaluable resource at a special members' only price of $2,500 U.S. (There will be a $200 U.S. printing surcharge for each hard copy ordered.) Members will also be afforded the opportunity to purchase a "global license" for $10,000 U.S. A global license entitles a purchaser to place an electronic copy of the study on a corporate intranet server on which employees of the licensee can view the study. Such a license would not entitle the licensee to place the study on an extranet server or web page where it would be accessible to persons not employed by the licensee.

This report may also be purchased by non-members at a price of $4,000 U.S. per copy by companies or persons who are not members of any of the above mentioned trade associations but still have a need for this valuable market information.
You may order copies online, and more details are available at http://www.paint.org/pubs/global_analysis.cfm. For more information, contact NPCA's John Hopewell or (202) 462-6272.

IPPIC, the sponsoring organization of this critically acclaimed market analysis report, is comprised of paint and printing ink trade associations (ABRAFATI) Brazilian Paint Manufacturers Association, (ANAFAPYT) Mexican Paint and Printing Ink Manufacturers Association, (APMF) Australian Paint Manufacturers' Federation, (CEPE) European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists' Colours Industry, (CNCIA) China National Coatings Industry Association, (CPCA) Canadian Paint and Coatings Association, (FIPEC) French Paints, Printing Inks, Artist Colours and Adhesives Association, (IPA) Indian Paint Association, (JPMA) Japan Paint Manufacturers Association, (NAPIM) National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, (NPCA) National Paint and Coatings Association, (VdL) German Paint Industry Association. IPPIC provides a forum for information exchange and cooperation on the major issues and priorities facing the paint and printing ink industries worldwide.

Orr & Boss, Inc. is a leading, international management-consulting firm to the specialty chemicals and coatings industries.

 

NPCA Publishes Practical Guide on REACH; Webinar Scheduled for Oct. 30

Washington, D.C., Oct. 1, 2008 — The National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA) has published a guidance manual entitled Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) in The European Union: A Practical Guide for North American Paint and Coatings Formulators and their Suppliers. The guide covers the basics of REACH for the paint and coatings industry, including pre-registration and registration, as well as additional compliance resources and helpful links. NPCA will be conducting its third REACH webinar on Oct. 30, 2008, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST, to review the manual and offer general compliance support.

Coming some 30 days before the close of the pre-registration period for chemicals (and paint products) currently in commerce in the European Union (EU), this webinar will be the last time industry members can learn of strategies to support their EU customer base. The webinar will feature Martha Marrapese, Esq. of Keller and Heckman LLP and will cover the following:

  • Review of the new NPCA REACH compliance manual
  • What pre-registration involves for each coating ingredient
  • The "REACH IT" tool for pre-registration and registration
  • Confidentiality and engaging "third party representatives"
  • Engaging an "only representative"
  • After pre-registration lies the Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF) and data compensation
  • Registration and paint and coatings exports
  • What goes into a registration dossier
  • Polymeric ingredients in coatings
  • Will my MSDS (material safety data sheet) meet the requirements of REACH?
  • "Question & Answer" session aimed at assisting companies with their overall REACH compliance approach.

The webinar and guide are geared to meet the needs of anyone responsible for exporting paint and coatings to the EU, including those exporting to existing markets and those just now considering serving EU customers. The cost of the webinar is $129 and registration information can be found online at www.paint.org; contact NPCA's Steve Sides at ssides@paint.org for information about the guidance manual.

Keller and Heckman LLP, whose broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, litigation, and business transactions serves both domestic and international clients, devised the guidance manual. The law firm boasts an in-house scientific staff that works closely with the firm's attorneys on matters of technical complexity, including REACH.

NPCA is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

 

NPCA and FSCT Hold Concurrent Annual Meetings and Conferences in April

Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 2008 — The National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) will hold their annual meetings and conferences concurrently April 26-29 at the Indianapolis Marriot Downtown. The theme of the new FSCT CoatingsTech Conference is "Embracing the Future." It will kick off on Monday, April 27, 2009, and feature world-class speakers and varied technical tutorials.

Both NPCA and FSCT will hold their traditional annual meetings with their respective Board of Directors and Management Council convening. During the course of the four-day annual gathering, meetings will take place for NPCA's Executive, Budget and Finance, Architectural Coatings, and Industrial Coatings Committees, and FSCT's Past Presidents and Society Liaison Council.

More information will be available in the coming weeks, and accessible at www.Paint.org under the "Events" tab or www.CoatingsTech.org under the "Programs" tab.

NPCA and FSCT provide a unified voice for the advancement of the coatings industry through government affairs advocacy and technical education and training.

 

American Coatings Show and Conference Return to Charlotte

The 2010 American Coatings Show and its adjacent conference will again take place in Charlotte, NC. The trade show will open its doors from April, 13-15. One day prior to the show's kick-off, the American Coatings Conference will provide the platform for scientific and innovative paper presentations from April, 12-14. The organizers, National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA), Vincentz Network, and NürnbergMesse North America, decided to keep the must-attend event in Charlotte, because of its easy accessibility. By using the entire capacity of the Charlotte Convention Center, there will be more space for exhibitors, visitors, and conference attendees at the ACS in 2010.

The successful concept of the first American Coatings Show ― having a show and conference under one roof ― was very well-received by the North American coatings industry and provided a professional atmosphere for meaningful discussion and conducting business. A total of 331 national and international exhibitors shared their products, innovations, and services with more than 5,600 visitors from 48 countries. More than 70 top-notch paper presentations, held by representatives from the coatings industry, government and academic institutions, drew 750 attendees from 25 countries to Charlotte in June 2008.

So, don't miss out when it's: "Show time!" and Charlotte, once again, becomes the coatings world's hub and host for the American Coatings Show and Conference from April 12-15, 2010!

You may find more details by visiting the ACS homepage:
http://www.american-coatings-show.com/

For more information, please contact NPCA's Cheryl Matthews at (202) 462-6272.

 

NPCA Hails Rhode Island Supreme Court Ruling Overturning Superior Court Judgment against Former Manufacturers of Lead Pigment

July 1, 2008, Washington, D.C. — The National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) applauds today's ruling by the Rhode Island Supreme Court, overturning a 2006 jury verdict against former manufacturers of lead pigment used in house paint decades ago. NPCA, which filed an amicus brief with the Rhode Island Supreme Court in the state's public nuisance action against former lead pigment manufacturers (Rhode Island v. LIA, et al), hailed the Supreme Court decision as consistent with the state'sprecedence of applying public nuisance doctrine, as well as all other major state supreme court rulings, including New Jersey, Missouri, and Illinois, involving historical lead-based paint and pigment sales.

Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams wrote for the court, "We conclude that the state has not and cannot allege any set of facts to support its public nuisance claim that would establish that defendants interfered with a public right or that defendants were in control of the lead pigment they, or their predecessors, manufactured at the time it caused harm to Rhode Island children."

"The attempt by plaintiffs' attorneys and state legal officers to stretch public nuisance theory far beyond its normal applications to avoid statutes of limitations and other requisite legal boundaries has now been summarily rebuked by the Rhode Island Supreme Court," said Thomas J. Graves, NPCA Vice President and General Counsel.

Unburdened by this state-sponsored lawsuit, NPCA believes that state enforcement and health agencies should concentrate fully on their legislative and regulatory policy that emphasizes lead-safe housing and lead exposure recognition, education, and prevention. Rhode Island's public policy has brought the number of childhood lead cases down to low single-digit percentages, and is on target to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Goal 2010 for all states to eradicate childhood lead poisoning. This policy, as in many other states such as New Jersey, Maryland, and Wisconsin, puts the onus on the landlord to keep housing in lead-safe condition, according to federal, state, and local rules.

The National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

 

American Coatings Show 2008: A successful launch!

With over 330 exhibitors and roughly 5,600 trade visitors, the American Coatings Show enjoyed a hugely successful premiere as the new highlight event of the US paint and coatings industry. Held from June 2-5, 2008 at the Charlotte Convention Center, North Carolina, the combined trade show and conference exceeded all expectations right from the start.

At the trade show held from June 3-5, 2008, the 332 exhibitors from 14 countries displayed a comprehensive range of products at over 69,000 square feet of space on all aspects of paint and coatings formulation. Companies from abroad accounted for 24 percent of the exhibitors, and in addition to the US, leading countries represented at the show included China, Germany, India, Canada, South Korea, and Great Britain.

"The overall concept of the American Coatings Show had a very positive outcome. We had a lot of support throughout the entire process, which ultimately resulted in a resounding success," said J. Andrew Doyle, President of the National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA), in Washington DC. Juergen Nowak, Publisher, Coatings Division at Vincentz Network (VN), based in Hanover, Germany, agreed wholeheartedly, "Thanks to everyone's tremendous commitment, the American Coatings Show is undoubtedly the US paint and coatings industry's new top event that is not to be missed." Event sponsors NPCA and VN chose NuernbergMesse as their partner for organizing the American Coatings Show. NuernbergMesse also puts together the European Coatings Show and has a US subsidiary based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Featuring more than 70 presentations and other events as well as 750 attendees from 25 countries, the American Coatings Conference, which ran from June 2 to June 4, had more than twice the attendance originally expected. The concept and conference program were jointly developed by NPCA's new Science and Technology Initiative and Vincentz Network. Presentation of the first American Coatings Award during the conference recognized the industry's best contribution. Consisting of a $ 2,500 cash prize and an attractive sculpture, the award went to James Rawlins and his team from the University of Southern Mississippi. The jury considered their paper "Letting Nature Tackle the Dirty Work: The Future of Coatings Additives" to be especially groundbreaking for the industry.

In addition to the American Coatings Show and Conference, there was additional material offered to exhibitors and trade visitors. ACL – American Coatings Literature is a series of new technical books that were introduced for the first time at the Show. Like their European equivalents, they can be obtained in North America from a US distributor. The American Coatings Daily, which appeared daily in a print run of 4,000 copies, and the Preview issue kept trade visitors up to date throughout the event.

For information about the American Coatings Show & Conference, please go to:
www.american-coatings-show.com

Contact:
NuernbergMesse North America, Inc.
400 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 550
Atlanta, GA 30339
USA
Dirk Ebener
Tel       +1. 7 70. 6 18-58 30
Fax      +1. 7 70. 6 18-58 31
info@american-coatings-show.com
www.american-coatings-show.com

Event sponsors:
NPCA
National Paint and Coatings Association
1500 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
USA
Cheryl Matthews
Tel       +1. 2 02. 4 62-62 72
Fax      +1. 2 02. 4 62-19 24
cmatthews@paint.org
www.paint.org

Vincentz Network
Plathnerstr. 4c
30175 Hannover
Germany
Esther Schwencke
Tel       +49. 5 11. 99 10-2 70
Fax      +49. 5 11. 99 10-2 79
esther.schwencke@european-coatings.com
www.european-coatings.com

Contact persons for the press and media:
Guido Welk, Ariana Brandl
Tel       +49. 9 11. 86 06-82 85
Fax      +49. 9 11. 86 06-82 56
ariana.brandl@nuernbergmesse.de

Journalists can download this press release and other documents regarding the American Coatings Show at www.american-coatings-show.com/press.

 

Dr. James W. Rawlins Receives the Debut American Coatings Award

Charlotte, N.C., June 2, 2008 — During the Plenary Session of the American Coatings Conference, the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) and the Vincentz Network presented Dr. James W. Rawlins with the first-ever American Coatings Award for his collaborative paper entitled, "Letting Mother Nature Tackle the Dirty Work: The Future of Coatings Additives." The award-winning paper was contributed by Rawlins, assistant professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials at the University of Southern Mississippi, and his co-authors Michael D. Blanton and Pirro B. Cipi of the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as C. Steven McDaniel, Melinda E. Wales, and Juan Carlo Carvajal of Reactive Surfaces Ltd.. Itwas selected as the most outstanding from 72 finalists of over 170 submissions. The prestigious award is endowed with $2,500 and an attractive sculpture.

The award-winning paper explored how biological molecules such as enzymes and peptides have traditionally been viewed as functionally restricted to very narrow environmental conditions, but how increased levels of understanding have led to the development of innovative, bio-engineered ‘smart' additives for paints and coatings. In the presentation of the paper, Rawlins focused on three areas: (1) the bio-engineered additive performance in environmentally-benign, self-decontaminating coating systems, specifically capable of catalytically decontaminating chemical and biological agents on surfaces; (2) the performance of an engineered peptide developed for environmentally friendly control over microbial growth; and (3) the results from a fundamental investigation of the variables influencing enzyme activity, kinetics, and functionality in functional films.

Rawlins received his B.S. in Polymer Science in 1993, and Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering in 1999, from the University of Southern Mississippi. After earning his doctorate, Dr. Rawlins worked for Highland International, Inc. for a year, and then for Bayer Corporation as a senior research chemist/technical marketing manager of powder coating raw materials from 2000 to 2004. He has been assistant professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials since 2004, where he directs more than 20 individuals in a member research group, with a special focus on functional films. His research has been published and he holds several collaborative patents.

NPCA is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

Vincentz Network is a Germany-based media company, whose Coatings Division provides scientific, technical and management information to the international paint and coatings community. It publishes journals, books and newspapers, organizes conferences, seminars and exhibitions, and offers a wide range of interactive content, data and training services for the industry.

For more information, please contact NPCA's Mike Morgan at (202) 462-6272.

 

Charles E. Bunch Receives NPCA's Heckel Award

Washington, D.C., June 3, 2008 — During the Chairman's Dinner of the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) on June 2, in Charlotte, N.C., NPCA President Andy Doyle presented Charles E. Bunch, chairman and CEO of PPG Industries and NPCA's outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors, with the George Baugh Heckel Award.  This award is the association's highest honor.

Bunch took the helm as NPCA's Chairman of the Board in October 2006.  Under his leadership, NPCA engaged in a broad-reaching strategic planning review, out of which several high-profile association programs were conceived. These programs, which have provided new underpinnings for the association's major activities, include the Communications Outreach, Science and Technology, Grassroots Issue Advocacy, and Legal Issues Tracking and Amicus Programs. During Bunch's tenure, NPCA also partnered with Vincentz Network to devise the American Coatings Conference and Show, the new premier education and trade show offering for the paint and coatings industry.

Additionally, Bunch's chairmanship oversaw the beginnings of the NPCA merger with the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, as well as a more active dialogue and participation in the Paint Product Stewardship Institute effort, a major association focus for a nationally coordinated system for the management of leftover consumer paint.

After joining PPG in 1979, Bunch held positions in finance and planning, marketing, and general management in the United States and Europe during his first 10 years with the company. He was named corporate director of purchasing and distribution in Pittsburgh in 1988.  Bunch became general manager of architectural coatings in 1992, vice president of that unit in 1994, and vice president of fiber glass in 1995. He was elected senior vice president of strategic planning and corporate services in 1997, and executive vice president of coatings, in early 2000.  He was named president, chief operating officer and board member in July 2002; chief executive officer in March 2005; and to his current post as Chairman and CEO in July 2005.

Bunch received a degree in international affairs from Georgetown University and a master's degree in business administration from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.  He is a former director and chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, a director and chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers, and a member of the University of Pittsburgh's board of trustees.  Bunch is also a member of the board of directors of the H. J. Heinz Company and the PNC Financial Services Group.

NPCA is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

For more information, please contact NPCA's Lisa Warren Román at (202) 462-6272.

 

Five Individuals Receive 2008 Industry Statesmen Awards

Washington, D.C., June 3, 2008 — On June 2, during the National Paint & Coatings Association's (NPCA) Chairman's Dinner in Charlotte, N.C., five individuals received Industry Statesmen Awards.  The Industry Statesman Award is an honor given by NPCA to individuals in recognition and appreciation of their long and devoted service to the paint and coatings industry.

The following are NPCA's 2008 Industry Statesman Award recipients.

Kent Child retired this year from his position as CEO of Comex Group — North America. Over the years, he built a career in the industry, working as a general manager at Bennett's Paint & Glass, region manager for Devoe Paint, President of Williams, Inc. — North America, and CEO of Pro Paint, Inc. Child has also been an active member of NPCA, serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

When asked to reflect on his experiences in the industry, Child, who holds a B.A. in Business from Weber State University, says "I've been involved in the paint industry for 34 years and have had the opportunity to meet and work with many well-grounded businessmen. Most enjoyable has been the support I have received from thousands of true and loyal employees."

Earlier this year Jerry Jones retired from Jones-Blair Co., leaving the position of chairman and CEO, which he held since 2002. He joined Jones-Blair in 1996 as CFO, a position he kept until he stepped into the role of executive vice president in 2001. Prior to joining the company, Jones worked in various industries including retail, software, oil and gas, real estate and consulting. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Texas.

While working for Jones-Blair, Jones was also involved in NPCA activities, participating in the association's Budget and Finance and Legal Reform Committees, as well as serving on the Board of Directors, and as vice chair of the Texas Paint Council. According to Jones, "Paint and coatings is a competitive, basic industry. The key to success is creativity and imagination, as well as the traditional traits of energy, integrity and relationships."

Before his retirement, H.H. (Larry) Larison spent his career with Columbia Paint & Coatings, where he started in the lab, then moved on to work in sales and marketing positions. He continued to progress at the company, and became president and CEO before the age of 39.

Larison was NPCA Chairman of the Board from 1998 to 1999. In addition, he has served on NPCA Executive, Architectural Coatings, Communications, and State Affairs Committees. He chaired NPCA's Pacific Northwest Paint Council from 1994 to 1996. As a member of the council, he was instrumental in his work with a state recycling task force. It was this work, as well as his long-term involvement with NPCA and the industry, that led the association to name Larison the recipient of the George Baugh Heckel Award in 2002.

Stephen Lustig has been employed in the industry for 45 years. Lustig has been an active NPCA member s since 1978, serving on the association's Industry Suppliers Committee over the span of 30 years, and helming the committee as chairman from 1994-1997. During that same period he was a member of NPCA's Board of Directors. He was also a member of NPCA's Industrial Coatings Committee from 1998-2000, and the Architectural Coatings Committee from 2000-2008.

After receiving his B.S. in Chemistry from the City College of New York, Lustig began his career at The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he worked as group leader for chemical sales. He then moved to American Cyanamid, where he took the positions of regional manager and director of marketing. Eight years later, he continued his career as director of marketing and sales at Zeneca Resins. His last two positions were with Phenoxy Specialties and Cook Composites & Polymers. Lustig retired from Cook Composites and Polymers earlier this year, though he continues to work for the company as a consultant.

Of his time spent working in the industry, Lustig says he has "thoroughly enjoyed 45 years in this industry.  [I have] met and worked with many wonderful people. This is a challenging industry, which is undergoing lots of changes; [it] always has and always will."

George Patterson will retire from DuPont Performance Coatings this year, after being with the company for 40 years. During his time with the company, Patterson has held such positions as lab chemist, plant lab supervisor, research supervisor, environmental consultant, and senior environmental fellow. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Villanova University and M.S. in Chemistry from St. Joseph's University.

In 1988, he joined NPCA's Occupational Health/ Product Safety Committee, serving as chair in the early 90s; he was co-chair of the Labeling/Product Safety Committee from 1993 to 1994, and was one of the original designers of NPCA's Coatings Care® program. Patterson has worked diligently on many activities affecting the industry as a member of the Product Stewardship Committee, Environmental Management Committee, Product Sustainability Task Force, and Auto Refinish Coalition.

When asked to comment on the industry Patterson said, "First…sustainable solutions must benefit all stakeholders: customers, our workers, our owners, and the communities where we operate. Second [is] the paramount importance of honesty and integrity in our interactions with all our stakeholders."

NPCA is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

For more information, please contact NPCA's Cheryl Matthews at (202) 462-6272.

 

FSCT Membership and Board Greenlight Merger with NPCA, to be Finalized in June

Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008 — The National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) are moving forward with a merger of the two organizations following a majority vote by FSCT members endorsing the merger plan. The FSCT Board of Directors certified the vote at its meeting on May 8, verifying that 84% of those members who participated in the process voted to approve the Bylaws changes necessary for the merger.

"This endorsement underscores the support of the membership for integrating the management and operational resources of both organizations. The merger will allow NPCA and FSCT to enhance the overall quality and breadth of programs and services provided to the industry and to efficiently and effectively apply resources to industry priorities," said NPCA President Andy Doyle and FSCT Executive Director Joe Pontoski in a joint statement.

In February, NPCA and FSCT signed a Memorandum of Agreement, outlining the details of a prospective merger of the two organizations. The agreement framed a "governance merger" that will consolidate the governance, management and administrative functions of both groups under NPCA, while preserving each organization's separate identities, operations, functions and member services. NPCA and FSCT will remain as separate organizations managed through a common governing structure.

As a final step in the merger process, FSCT submitted certain changes of its Bylaws to its members for their approval. Approval of the proposed amendments to the Bylaws required the affirmative vote of a majority of the members casting votes during the voting period, provided that at least five percent (5%) of the members entitled to vote as of February 29, 2008, cast votes. At the conclusion of the vote on May 2, the necessary quorum was achieved.

As part of the merger, FSCT and NPCA agreed to combine the International Coatings Expo (ICE) with the American Coatings Show and Conference (ACS) to be held on June 2-5, 2008 in Charlotte, N.C. With the combination of ICE into the ACS, ICE 2008 in Chicago has been cancelled. NPCA and FSCT have fully endorsed and support the American Coatings Show as the premier industry exhibition for the coatings industry. In addition, NPCA and FSCT are endorsing and supporting the FSCT's international technology conference, FutureCoat!, which will continue as the signature science and technology event for the industry and a forum for the FSCT's Annual Meeting. A complement to the American Coatings Conference, FutureCoat! will be held October 14-16, 2008, in Chicago and feature multi-track educational programming focused on Globally Responsible Coatings.

All aspects of the merger should be completed by June 3, 2008, at which time the new FSCT Board of Directors will convene for its first meeting.

NPCA is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology is the leader in technical education and professional development for the international coatings industry. Founded in 1922 as the Federation of Paint and Varnish Production Clubs, the FSCT has grown to consist of 26 Constituent Societies: 22 in the United States, two in Canada, and one each in the United Kingdom and Mexico. The organization's membership is involved in research and development, supervisory production and engineering, and technical sales/service regarding the formulation, testing, and manufacture of coatings. FSCT sponsors globally recognized programs such as FutureCoat! and the Advancements in Coatings Series, and publishes the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research and JCT CoatingsTech.

For more information, please contact NPCA's Andy Doyle, (202) 462-6272 or FSCT's Joe Pontoski, (610) 940-0777.

 

The National Paint and Coatings Association Objects to Misstatements, Unsafe Practices of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Episode

May 8, 2008, Washington, D.C. — In a letter to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) President J. Andrew Doyle expressed concern over misstatements made and unsafe work practices shown during the May 4 edition of the show, which focused on demolition and re-building of a home contaminated with lead.

The letter stated:

"…The misconceptions conveyed during the show were so glaring that they surely warrant a broadcast and web site correction prior to airing your next episode, so as to avert putting millions of viewers at risk.

First, the show gave the impression that any home containing lead paint would require total removal of lead paint from all surfaces before the home could be safe. This absolutely is not true in the majority of cases. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges that intact lead-based paint is not a hazard, when preventive maintenance such as paint stabilization or repainting is properly done. In such cases, lead cannot "seep through 20 layers of paint" as show host Ty Pennington claimed!

The Rhode Island Health Department required the Silvas to completely abate the lead-contaminated areas of their property because they have foster children under their care. But, the methods used to tear down the home were dangerous and unhealthy to the individuals involved, and definitely were not consistent with lead-safe work practices outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and EPA. Should a contractor or homeowner who watched your show attempt to abate a lead-contaminated area in such a manner, such activity would not only exacerbate the problem, it would create an even worse lead hazard.

Removal of contaminated yard soil was depicted as "necessary" on the show, but Rhode Island law only requires removal and replacement of the top six inches, not the several feet of removal shown. Certainly the bare soil depicted in the show is very problematic, and was described as the most likely source of lead exposure. When contamination is suspected, bare soil in children's play areas can be remedied in a number of other ways described by HUD and EPA, including restricting access (to bare areas), growing grass, and/or mulching a designated area. Your show mentioned none of these methods.

The nation has learned a valuable lesson from the asbestos clean-up problems in schools and other public and private buildings. Tearing out walls and full abatement models often backfire. That's why EPA and HUD have refined complete lead-safe work protocols to avoid the inadvertent release of lead during remodeling and rehabilitation. These protocols have proven to be successful, but there was no hint of concern for safety among the workers on your show. 

The paint industry has been a partner with others supporting the non-profit, recognized, independent Community Lead Education and Reduction Corps (CLEARCorps USA) which, since 1995, has been in major urban centers (including Providence, Rhode Island) performing key education of the dangers of lead exposure and targeted remediation. CLEARCorps, which is part of the AmeriCorps® network, understands the practical aspects of the lead-in-residence threat, and would not advocate the type of abatement demonstrated on your program as either emblematic of the problem or a good demonstration of a solution, except in rare instances. I strongly encourage you to contact CLEARCorps USA Executive Director Sue Gunderson at 651-603-8000, 410-247-3339 or sue@clearcorps.org.

In addition, the paint industry has delivered free training for over four years using the approved EPA-HUD protocol in every state and Washington, D.C. to contractors, landlords, tenants, homeowners, state officials, local officials, and lead advocates.  In 700 full-day training sessions, 17,000 people have been trained and over 95% have completed a test to certify understanding of the protocol. This is training that your crew could, and should, take before attempting work on another lead-contaminated residence.

Participating in this training would ensure that they are properly protected during such projects and, most importantly, your viewing audience will see the work being performed in a safe and appropriate manner. These training classes are ongoing; go to www.leadsafetraining.org for schedules and further information, and to request a special class.

One thing that your show did not mention is that the incidence of childhood lead poisoning is on the decline nationally and in the state of Rhode Island. This is due, in large part, to the concerted efforts of government, advocacy groups, concerned parents and industry. In a recent Rhode Island Department of Health report, the incident rate of childhood lead poisoning had dropped over 80% in the last 10 years, and in the City of Warwick, out of 1,812 children who were screened for the first time last year, 15 cases of elevated blood lead levels were identified. This clearly demonstrates lead poisoning prevention policies that have been put in place in Rhode Island, and around the country, are working.  

Both EPA and HUD offer information for consumers online at www.epa.gov/lead and www.hud.gov/offices/lead/healthyhomes/lead.cfm. Every consumer paint can has a label with instructions for safe surface preparation and providing the EPA Hotline 1-800-424-LEAD. And, all retailers provide an EPA-HUD booklet in Spanish and English providing more detailed instructions. This is valuable information that should be made available to the public on your web site, so that they will have accurate information about dealing with such a critical issue.

The misstatements made during this episode of your show absolutely need to be corrected, for the safety and education of the viewing public. Doing so will lessen the risk of harm to those following the example witnessed on your show and will serve to clarify the gross inaccuracies presented therein.

An immediate on-air update plus postings to the ABC network, news and Good Morning America web sites will certainly help reach out to the millions of viewers who need to receive the correct, safe information.  

I look forward to your quick response and prompt correction before the next broadcast…"

The National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

For more information, please contact NPCA's Lisa Warren Román at (202) 462-6272.

 

NPCA and FSCT Sign Agreement to Merge, ICE to Be Combined with the American Coatings Show

Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2008 - The National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA) and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement, which outlines the details of a prospective merger of the two organizations. The agreement describes a "governance merger" that will consolidate the governance, management and administrative functions of both groups under NPCA, while preserving each organization's separate identities, operations, functions and member services. NPCA and FSCT will remain as separate organizations managed through a common governing structure.
  
As part of the merger, FSCT and NPCA have agreed to combine the International Coatings Expo (ICE) with the American Coatings Show and Conference (ACS) to be held on June 2-5, 2008 in Charlotte, NC. With the combination of ICE into the ACS, ICE 2008 in Chicago will be cancelled. NPCA and FSCT will fully endorse and support the American Coatings Show as the premier industry exhibition for the coatings industry. In addition, NPCA and FSCT will endorse and support the FSCT's international technology conference, FutureCoat!, which will continue as the signature science and technology event for the industry and a forum for the FSCT's Annual Meeting. A complement to the American Coatings Conference, FutureCoat! will be held in the fall of  2008 in Chicago and feature multi-track educational programming focused on Globally Responsible Coatings. NPCA and FSCT have agreed to explore the possibility of holding FutureCoat! in conjunction and/or cooperation with future American Coatings Shows and American Coatings Conferences and/or the NPCA Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference. NPCA and FSCT also have agreed to the coordinate future planning of the American Coatings Show and Conference and FutureCoat! to avoid conflicts for participants and to ensure the most effective and efficient use of industry resources.

NPCA President Andy Doyle and FSCT Executive Director Joe Pontoski issued the following joint statement:

"NPCA and FSCT view FSCT as the leading technical and scientific educational organization for the industry and NPCA as the leading advocacy and public policy based organization for the industry. NPCA and FSCT fully endorse membership in and the programs and activities of both organizations. NPCA and FSCT are committed to combining their resources and expertise for the greater benefit of the industry. The purpose of integrating the management and financial resources of both parties is to enhance the overall quality and breadth of programs and services provided to the industry and to efficiently and effectively apply resources to industry priorities. In addition, we recognize that an important aspect of a successful merger of our two organizations is a continued affiliation and effective interaction with the industry's network of local societies, councils, and associations, and the Coatings Industry Education Fund. We not only expect our relationship with these groups to continue, but to be enhanced and expanded."

NPCA and FSCT have agreed to an action plan to finalize the merger. FSCT's Board of Directors has already approved the Memorandum of Agreement and has recommended approval to its membership; NPCA's Board of Directors will take formal action on the Agreement at its meeting on March 19. Following a decision by NPCA's Board, the Agreement will be submitted to the FSCT general membership for approval beginning on March 21. Voting by the FSCT membership will likely take place between April 21 through May 2, 2008, for all members of record as of February 29, 2008. All aspects of the merger are expected to be completed by June 3, 2008.
 

NPCA is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. As the preeminent organization representing the paint and coatings industry in the United States, NPCA's primary role is to serve as ally and advocate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels.

The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology is the leader in technical education and professional development for the international coatings industry. Founded in 1922 as the Federation of Paint and Varnish Production Clubs, the FSCT has grown to consist of 26 Constituent Societies: 22 in the United States, two in Canada, and one each in the United Kingdom and Mexico. The organization's membership is involved in research and development, supervisory production and engineering, and technical sales/service regarding the formulation, testing, and manufacture of coatings. FSCT sponsors globally recognized programs such as FutureCoat! and the Advancements in Coatings Series, and publishes the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research  and JCT CoatingsTech.

For more information, please contact NPCA's Andy Doyle, (202) 462-6272 or FSCT's Joe Pontoski, (610) 940-0777.