01.12.06
As some of you may know by now, the January issue of Coatings World marks my first as editor. Taking over the reins from Christine Esposito, who will remain on staff as contributing editor, I will do my best to continue to deliver, to both you our readers and advertisers, the high quality reporting and editorial content you've come to expect with Christine at the helm.
Up until a few months ago, paint and coatings had little to do with my conscious mind beyond occasional trips to Home Depot to pick up supplies for touch-up jobs around my apartment. However, since coming onboard here at Coatings World, I've only just begun to grasp the importance paint and coatings play in our lives, whether we realize it or not. From the paint on our cars that we expect to keep them looking shiny and new, to the paint we apply to buildings, infrastructure and homes to protect against the natural elements, or the paint we use to decorate our living spaces to provide us with aesthetically pleasing sensations, paint and coatings play an integral role in the fabric of our daily lives. I'm equally amazed at just how far ahead on the cutting edge of technology paint and coatings must be today in order to accomplish such tasks as these.
As we reach the beginning of 2006, I think the past year filled us all with a certain degree of uncertainty. Whether dealing with the rising costs of doing business as a result of natural disasters, the instability in the Middle East or increasingly stringent environmental regulations, everyone up and down the supply chain is being affected. From a business perspective, the only way forward is to have the strategic flexibility to change plans through initiating innovative ideas and action.
In this issue, Coatings World spoke with leading paint manufacturers for our cover story-interior architectural and decorative coatings (page 26)-as well as manufacturers of pigments (page 32) and additives (page 36) about such issues. While many industry experts offered their attitudes and predictions for the year ahead, if 2005 taught us one thing, expect the unexpected.
Up until a few months ago, paint and coatings had little to do with my conscious mind beyond occasional trips to Home Depot to pick up supplies for touch-up jobs around my apartment. However, since coming onboard here at Coatings World, I've only just begun to grasp the importance paint and coatings play in our lives, whether we realize it or not. From the paint on our cars that we expect to keep them looking shiny and new, to the paint we apply to buildings, infrastructure and homes to protect against the natural elements, or the paint we use to decorate our living spaces to provide us with aesthetically pleasing sensations, paint and coatings play an integral role in the fabric of our daily lives. I'm equally amazed at just how far ahead on the cutting edge of technology paint and coatings must be today in order to accomplish such tasks as these.
As we reach the beginning of 2006, I think the past year filled us all with a certain degree of uncertainty. Whether dealing with the rising costs of doing business as a result of natural disasters, the instability in the Middle East or increasingly stringent environmental regulations, everyone up and down the supply chain is being affected. From a business perspective, the only way forward is to have the strategic flexibility to change plans through initiating innovative ideas and action.
In this issue, Coatings World spoke with leading paint manufacturers for our cover story-interior architectural and decorative coatings (page 26)-as well as manufacturers of pigments (page 32) and additives (page 36) about such issues. While many industry experts offered their attitudes and predictions for the year ahead, if 2005 taught us one thing, expect the unexpected.
Tim Wright
Editor
twright@rodpub.com
twright@rodpub.com