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In some respects, the last half of 2008 and almost all of 2009 was a time when the world collectively held its breath, as we watched the global economy come to a sudden halt and teeter on the brink of serious disaster. The money supply literally froze as banks stopped lending. The U.S. housing market dropped precipitously. The American automotive industry, a mainstay of U.S. manufacturing, also wavered on the edge, with two of the Big Three automakers going into bankruptcy proceedings.

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.

The 2010 American Coatings Show & Conference wrapped up on April 15, and the general consensus of the organizers as well as all whom PCI staff spoke with was that the event was a success. Numbers were up from 2008, with 328 exhibitors and about 6,700 overall participants (2008: 331/5,600).

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.

On behalf of the PCI staff I want to take this opportunity to wish our readers, advertisers and contributing authors a very happy holiday season. We are successful because of your continued support, encouragement and feedback – we always welcome your viewpoint.

Globally, the economic downturn this year has been rather depressing, and the coatings industry has suffered through a year of contraction and discouraging news. We have two major coatings sectors that have been seriously impacted – automotive and new home construction, affecting the architectural and appliance coating markets. The industry has been doing all it can to look at alternate raw materials, processes and energy/cost saving measures while at the same time being innovative, green and sustainable. No easy task!

We are indeed in unique technological times – it is a challenge to keep pace with advancements in computer technology, science and information sharing. Sometimes it is just overwhelming. The Internet has made communication instantaneous and, despite the misuse and abuse, the positives are mind-boggling.