It must feel like the walls are closing in on the finishing industry these days, no matter how busy shops are and how robust the industry seems to be.

Hank Williams Jr. used to sing about "Family Tradition" decades ago, and that seems to be the case for those who own finishing and coating operations.

Over the past several weeks, there have several instances where finishers and coaters have been accused of doing things that have been brought to the attention of law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

I've always looked at industrial trade shows as more academic than equipment and supply selling.

When you hear the terms “smart car” and “smart technologies,” it often makes me scratch my head to wonder how did we get as far as we did in the U.S. and Canada and not be very bright about it.

I am a stern believer in the philosophy that we are all life-long learners. It always seems to me that just when we feel we have learned it all — and figured it all out — that something comes along that we haven't seen before, and we need to learn how to use it effectively and safely.

The word “great” is thrown around way too much in our society. Sure, I’ll take the notion that Tom Brady is the GOAT when it comes to football, and I’ll accept the argument that Michael Jordan had no peer when it came to basketball.

Just when you thought it was okay to become normal again in the finishing and coating industry with a pandemic, lack of workers, and increased regulations on everyone's mind, the markets delivered an uppercut and a gut punch when the price of raw nickel more than doubled in just one day this past month.

It's something new, something old, something bought, and something very big, as this month we profile four shops which have different backgrounds and strategies in the finishing and coating industry, and each have their own place in the industry.

Ask a question, and be prepared for the answer.

Welcome to the new year. Same as the old year. Or is it?

On paper, a finishing and coating shop is an inanimate being that has the purpose of employing individuals and — hopefully — turning a profit.

There used to be a time when most finishing and coating shops would share their best practices and SOPs with other shops, even if they were quasi-competitors.

Perseverance is a word that will probably be emblazoned over Bill Stock’s tombstone someday.

By now, we are all in the blitz of a few industry trade shows that have resurfaced after a one-year hiatus. Time to see old friends, make some new friends and learn ways to better run finishing and coating operations.

A year ago last August 2020 is when I started this publication. It began as an idea of helping finishers and coaters better connect and share information and best practices. Now, 12 months later, I have to say the smallest of concepts can turn into the biggest of dreams one can imagine.

The more time you spend in the finishing and coating industry, the more friends you make. This industry is one that allows you to meet and get to know those who run the shops, make the equipment, generate the supplies, and come to all the regional and national shows each year.

There is a huge difference between fads and trends. Fads are what you did with your hair and your jeans back when you were a teenager. Trends are what you need to get ahead of if your business is going to succeed.

When my friends and family ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I write about the finishing and coating industry, and then I try in the best way possible to explain to them what it feels like walking into a manufacturing operation like a powder coater or electroplater and sensing the aura of the facility, the vibe, and the nuances that go along with being where the action is.

It seems a week doesn’t pass that we hear about another independent finishing shop getting purchased by an investment group and then merged with others around the company.

My dad used to give me sage advice when I was growing up, and it usually centered around who I should buy particular products from. To him, you couldn’t go wrong with tried and true manufacturers.

Welcome to the first year of the rest of your life. Say what you will about 2020, but getting into 2021 has never been so welcome in my life. Things got to be better, right? Just agree with me on this one.