Electrochemicals Blog – EPI – Electrochemical Products Inc.

October 30th, 2009

By Eric Olander

I received my Manufacturing & Technology (www.manufacturingnews.com) update for 10/19/09 and  it shows that companies are not making new parts for various industries. In fact, to quote the article it states  we are at "depression-level" for the machine tool industry. While econmists  state the worst recession in recent memory is over some parts of the economy will take longer to recover  because of where they are in the pipline of manufacturing. It could take up to 6-12 months before some companies start to feel the new growth. An indicator of the manufacturing business climate is machine tools sales. I am not sure if manufacturing  will achieve the high levels we achieved prior to the recession. I feel that until we easy money( available credit) days return we  will not experience that high level again.

 To read more specific details on the article including a graph view this link. (Souce US  Technology Consumption Report  www.usmtc.com )

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

October 29th, 2009

By Eric Olander

Last September  I traveled to Rotterdam, Netherlands to visit AD Chemicals. EPi and AD Chemicals agreed that EPi will distribute AD Chemicals including  AD Precoat Chrome-Free for aluminum substrates to be painted. It has flawlessly pretreated 60 million square meters. It is Qualicoat A021 certified and is suitable for immersion/spray and coil coating applications.

EPi will also distribute the entire product line of anodizing products; cleaners, no dump caustic etch additve, fast desmutting  additive, anodizing additive that allows you to anodize at 86F(30C) increasing productivity and saving you money in cooling costs,standard seal additive, a lower temperature (190F (88c)) sealer that contains no nickel saving energy(30%) and improving productivity (30%)

Dinner at Kaat-Mossel with my wife Jeanie, Barry from AD and his wife Tanya

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

June 26th, 2009

By Eric Olander

This Wednesday June 24th, I met with "Rocky" Hiroaki Ikoma right side of picture and Yoshihiro MAEDA to discuss a new blackening process that is green and safe for the environment. At this time the details can not be discussed in public, but EPi excited to work on this new project stay tune to the results we achieve this year!

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings | No Comments »

June 26th, 2009

ByEric Olander

We are back from Sur/Fin and the show reflects the state of the manufacturing economy on the US today. The numbers are down from last year, but the Keynote speaker Dr Ken Mayland. ClearView Economics, LLC discussed past  recessions and "What will be the sign of the Coming Recovery" and it indicates that we are bottoming out and we should be seeing signs of life late this year. For the metal finishing industry we may lag behind in the initial phases of the recovery as typically we  are the last to go into a recession and the last to go out of a recession.

 The attached picture is Rebbecca Bennett Director, Chemical & Environmental Compliance of Precision Plating in Chicago,IL Becky is holding her Award of Merit from the NASF www.nasf.org for all of her hard work and volunteerism she has done for the NASF. Congratulations Becky!

This year at Sur/Fin EPi displayed our new Insta Rust 340 process. This new architectural finish contains no acid and produces a rainbow of rust colors.

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings, Metal Antiquing | No Comments »

June 11th, 2009

By Eric Olander

Next June 15-17th the 2009 version of Sur/Fin will be held in Louisville, KY.  EPi is ready to meet new potential customers and loyal existing  customers from all over the world. These economic challenging times present opportunities to reinvent our selves by going to a different type of metal finishing process. Sur/Fin is the place to learn how you can reinvent you finishes and your company. The technical program has over 70 papers this year. We will see you at Sur/Fin! I also get to help cut the ribbon on opening day. I hope the scissors is sharp!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

May 27th, 2009

By Eric Olander

Just a  few weeks away from Sur/Fin as we get ready to load up for the show. Even though the economy is a recession  we  are expecting a decent show of serious metal finishers that are looking for networking, technical sessions, and keynote speaker on the economy and when it is going to comeback. To register on-line go to this website . EPi has been getting interest in alkaline non cyanide copper E-Brite Ultra Cuand alkaline non cyanide silver processes E-Brite 50/50.

The main interest in the non cyanide processes is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes cyanide on its list of chemicals to report. Switching to E-Brite Ultra Cu and E-Brite 50/50 eliminates the reporting the cyanide on the DHS reporting system.

We are taking appointments for Sur/Fin please call us at 262-786-9330 or e-mail us at general-mailbox@epi.com . See you in Louisville!

Posted in Copper Plating, Electroplating | No Comments »

May 7th, 2009

By Eric Olander

Last week I attended NASF Washington DC forum in Washington DC. Approximately 70 attendees listened to EU, EPA and OSHA regulatory issues plus the US Commerce and Chrysler representatives made presentations as well. The US Commerce states that we are bottoming out right now from the recession and by the 4th quarter we should be close to 0% grow in GDP. The Chrysler representatives discussed the state of the automotive industry. 2009 sales will be about 9 million  versus 2008 was 17 million for light vehicles.  They also stated the car sales will not return  to 17 million because of the lack of easy credit so batten down the hatches.

The trip to the hill was interesting that we did not see any Congress people or Senators. The aides were very busy meeting many lobbyists and taking on the Obama agenda. We met with Brian ( see picture) Senator Kohl's Legislative Assistant discussed the policy issues. This year was OK going up to the hill, but everyone was preoccupied.

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings | No Comments »

March 31st, 2009

By Eric Olander

Last Thursday March 26th CMFI meeting at Wellington's in Arlington Heights, Il I participated in a industry expert panel that discussed the existing challenges with the present economy. Rick Delawder was the panel moderator and Alene Magino, Gary Belmonti, Bob Giomi, Sarah Carey, Rick Macary, Bill Whitcher and myself were on the panel. We discussed collections, payables, metrics on measuring business climate and trends that we are seeing. The panel did agree that there is some positive news out there, but challenges do exist in the USA and the world. We are  all watching for bankruptcies and trying to get introduce new products and grow new markets. It was a worthwhile evening to listen to ideas of other companies out there trying to survive these econominc challenges. One good outcome with economy is this with less hours worked means workman compensation will be less for 2009. Hard to see all us in the panel picture sorry!

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings | No Comments »

March 25th, 2009

By Eric Olander

A few weeks ago I was interviewed for an article for the END OF THE LINE in Products Finishing (PF). In the April 2009 issue of Products Finishing you will find on page 56 the last page the interview.  For those of you that do not have a subscription to PF you can see the article via web by going to  http://www.pfonline.com/latest.html . If you are reading this after April then you will have to go into the archives on PFonline.

A couple of subjects you will find is nickel is it a carcinogen. Another interesting fact is there has been some studies on trivalent chromates turning into hexavalent.

 Need more info on  Sur/Fin? Go to www.nasf.org to register for attending or to get a booth for exhibiting.

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings, Nickel Plating, Trivalent Chromates | No Comments »

March 20th, 2009

By Eric Olander

I usaully save my blog for work related items, but today I am going to venture away and recommend a book for all to read regardless of you faith and your religion. First of all The Shack is a great read fiction read. You want to keep on turning the pages to learn about the next surprise. This book will challenge your faith regardless of your religion because it discusses God's unconditional love.

The main character of the book goes to The Shack to meet the Trinity. The main character faces his past life challenges that have been kept in his memory that has caused a lot of pain. He faces each of his life challenges and finds peace! This book can help you can find some peace.

Posted in Eric Olander Happenings | No Comments »