Welcome to the new year. Same as the old year. Or is it?
We all started 2021 with a swipe of the brow and a “Thank goodness 2020 is over!” But things obviously didn’t go as we all hoped. The finishing and coating industry was in the same boat as all other businesses — manufacturing, retail, service — and facing issues on many fronts, including supply chain problems, workforce management, and increased regulations and impacts from the new federal administration.
While 2022 holds no promises that things will get better with supplies, manpower, or regulations, there is hope and optimism that the finishing and coating industry will continue on a steady pace of providing outstanding products and services to the manufacturing industry.
But as we look at what 2022 has to hold for all the electroplates, anodizes, liquid and powder coaters, ecoaters, polishers, and everyone else, here are a few things that we hope come to fruition for owners, managers, supervisors, and workers in the industry:
A constant flow of current and new work: nothing says Happy New Year like a call or email asking you to quote a job that promises decent margins and will keep lines moving and in use. Here’s the hoping that shops see double-digit growth as we move forward and that the customers behind those new projects have an understanding and appreciation for all the hard work and engineering that goes into providing quality coatings.
Constant availability of qualified workers: I can’t tell you how often I hear from shop owners and managers who say they would love to expand or add services if they could only find the people to man the stations. Let’s hope the U.S. gets back to a place where people work, and they take pride in their workmanship. For whatever reason, the workforce has not rebounded from the pandemic actions; the finishing and coating industry — like all manufacturing and service industries — needs people to make the engine run smoothly. Let’s hope there are more people looking for good careers this year, and they find the finishing and coating industry as a viable option.
Peace on earth: and let’s start with leaving finishing and coating facilities have “peace of mind” without undue legislation and regulatory interference. While no one in the industry is opposed to clean water and air, there is always a cost associated with what new rules and regulations are imposed on the finishing industry by federal, state, and local entities. The cost — whether it be new equipment, higher fees, or even additional training — is all borne by the owners of these finishing and coating facilities. Common sense would do us all good.
I hope 2022 is a prosperous and joyful year for everyone in the finishing and coating industry, as well as a safe one too. Working in the manufacturing sector has its good and bad, and my hope is the former outweighs to latter. Happy New Year to you all, and thank you for supporting us.
Tim Pennington is Editor-in-Chief of Finishing and Coating, and has covered the industry since 2010. He has traveled extensively throughout North America visiting shops and production facilities, and meeting those who work in the industry. Tim began his career in the newspaper industry, then wound itself between the sports field with the PGA Tour and marketing and communications firms, and finally back into the publishing world in the finishing and coating sector. If you want to reach Tim, just go 
