Ben Franklin said “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Truer words could not be spoken regarding our knowledge of additives.

Now where on earth did that expression come from anyway? Well it so happens that traditionally the “dog days” are those that fall between July 3 and August 11 – days that are often known for their extreme heat and humidity. Some say it signifies hot, sultry days “not fit for a dog” and others claim it is the weather in which dogs go mad.

You know each issue of PCI that we finish I think is the best one – until the next month. I am always so pleased with the features, the new technology and all of the technological changes I see in the industry – particularly when you have been around a while you can look back and see significant change over time. I have the advantage of reading a great number of submitted papers and company literature each day, and it is always exciting.

Judging by events held in February for the coatings community and what is scheduled for March and April, I think things are looking up.

As hard as I try to maintain optimism and really look in all the nooks and crannies for signs of a major turnaround – it is still tough out there. When you have been in the industry as long as I have it is so frustrating and sad to see a lack of growth, R&D budgets severely curtailed and in some cases cut completely, and an industry that you love continue to shrink.

Among the Web Exclusive features this month we have the PPG auto color trend report and also a report from the Paint Quality Institute on architectural color trends.

We have two choices as we start this New Year – approach with fear and hesitancy or be guardedly optimistic and move forward. I choose the latter, as I think if we don’t show confidence we will spiral ourselves downward.