Traditionally, shops tended to perform
one type of finishing operation - plating, painting, mechanical finishing, etc.
But, through various surveys we have conducted and information gathered from you,
the reader, we see more and more shops performing a variety of finishing operations-plating
and powder coating or painting and vacuum deposition.
Why is this important now?
Well, October marks the second installment of the Coating show. Sponsored by 11
finishing associations, Coating '01 presents information on a variety of coatings
during its technical program.
With so many associations
presenting technical programs in one location, Coating '01 is a perfect opportunity
to evaluate the pros and cons of alternative coatings.
The technical program also is an excellent opportunity for those of you that are
still performing only one type of finishing to begin integrating new technologies.
Some of the more avid readers of PF, may recall an article we wrote on the importance
of horizontal and vertical integration.
Horizontal integration,
which is the type of integration employed by most finishers, is the addition of
a competing technology. For example, a plater might add a powder coating line
or vice versa. While the technologies compete with another, if the conditions
are right, the addition of the competing or horizontal technology can add significantly
to the bottom line.
Vertical integration is
the introduction of new technologies that are compatible with your current process.
These vertical processes allow the finisher to play a larger role in the manufacturing
of a product. For instance, a plater may add a chemical polishing/deburring line
to be used before the plating line. The new, vertical technology might help the
plater attract additional business that it might not have obtained before because
of the combination of the two technologies. (You can learn more about integration
by reading "Growth and Diversification through
Vertical Integration" at www.pfonline.com.)
With the economy as tight as it is, horizontally or vertically integrating new
technologies into your shop is an excellent way to retain old customers and attract
new ones. The technical program at Coating'01 presents you one of the best opportunities
to discover technologies that could be integrated into your shop. The opportunity
awaits.
