Hope Floats in Michigan Coatings Plant

Even on the worst of days, Fred Mellema can still walk through the staging area in his Grand Rapids finishing shop and get a smile on his face.
Columns Published: 10/26/2010

Full of Energy

One thing I’ve continually heard over the past several months is the need for finishing facilities to become more energy efficient in order to hold down costs and run a leaner operation.
Columns Published: 9/1/2010

Join The Clubs

June saw annual meetings and conferences for two of the largest trade groups in surface finishing, as the National Association of Surface Finishers and the Chemical Coaters Association International held gatherings in Grand Rapids and Sarasota, resp...
Columns Published: 8/1/2010

CARC Lines Are In ... B'Gosh

As our cover clearly shows, this month’s Products Finishing delves into all things military, especially how finishers can try to get some of the work going into new military expenditures such as the ‘Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles’ project.
Columns Published: 7/1/2010

On the Road Again

After trips to Michigan, Indiana, Washington, DC and Kentucky ... Sur/Fin, here I come!
Columns Published: 6/1/2010

The More Things Change

Nineteen thirty-six was a very interesting year, to say the least.
Columns Published: 5/1/2010

Why You Matter

It’s an easy answer.
Columns Published: 4/1/2010

After the Fall

During the last 10 years, Toyota has seen a big increase in international sales and production.
Columns Published: 3/1/2010

It Ain't Easy

The job description in Matt Kirchner's "Never Finished" column this month ("Help Wanted,") pretty much sums up the hardships associated with trying to make a career in finishing—or, I would argue, in manufacturing in genera...
Columns Published: 2/1/2010

Better Brains, Better Business

Back in the day, the role of a manager in any business was simply to assure that things got done efficiently, and it didn't matter a whole lot how this was accomplished.Modern managers, however, are expected to be more facilitative than controlling ...
Columns Published: 1/1/2010