Momentum

Hard won. The ultimate difference-maker. The force behind impact. 

“Momentum” originates from the Latin word movēre, meaning “to move,” combined with the suffix -mentum, signifying the means of action. In physics, momentum represents the force and direction of motion—a measure of progress that cannot be stopped once set in motion. 

I am enthused to begin the new year with the confidence that the Powder Coating Institute—and our industry—are advancing with significant momentum. I encourage you to share in this optimism; momentum is on our side.

If you are a sports fan, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You have witnessed it as a fan, maybe even felt it as a competitor. In football, I am referring to the “pick six” or the blocked punt that is scooped up and returned for a touchdown. These moments change something in the air, something in the game. The players feel it, the crowd knows it, too. You can feel when momentum shifts, and it can be impossible to stop. 

I see momentum not just as a scientific principle, but as a powerful metaphor for our association: the energy we create through collaboration, the direction we set through vision and the unstoppable progress we achieve together. 

PCI has made significant investments in the last 12 months to improve and enhance the value for every member. These investments apply whether you are a Diamond Level member who has impeccable attendance at our Education Committee meetings, or someone who signed up in 2019 to get a single training event discount and all but forgot about the Powder Coating Institute.

In 2023, Shelley Verdun (PPG), then PCI President, championed the idea of adding a Technical Director to strengthen our technical leadership. That vision became reality in July 2025 with the appointment of Steve Ladatto. Steve’s expertise ensures PCI continues to deliver world-class training, education, and industry engagement.

Shelley’s efforts were carried forward by Tom Whalen (TCI) and Bob Cregg (Covestro), whose steadfast leadership over the past two years has been instrumental. Together with the PCI Board, we refined our five-year strategic plan and executed key initiatives in 2025 to maintain our position as the global authority in powder coatings.

So, what does this mean for you as you open this issue of Powder Coated Tough?

• We welcomed Steve Ladatto as PCI’s Technical Director in July.
• We relocated our marquee event—the Technical Conference—to Indianapolis, IN, bringing it closer to our member companies.
• We have added two industry thought leaders to serve as Executive Director and Editor of Powder Coated Tough magazine.

These steps reflect our commitment to innovation, education and member value. The momentum is real—and it’s driving PCI forward.

Did you know that powder coatings are the fastest growing coating technology globally? We are seeing continued advancements in areas such as low temperature cure for non-metal substrates, improved corrosion resistant systems, and premium powder formulation enabling more consistent edge coverage on substrates that utilize metal laser cutting technologies. These developments contribute to the momentum that’s thriving in this association.

This industry has experienced growth as more end users are converting to powder coating from traditional liquid spray systems since the pandemic of 2020, along with accompanying nearshoring efforts from other markets. These liquid to powder conversions create more demand for PCI’s world class training and educational programs, which we are positioned to provide in 2026 and beyond. Additionally, PCI is expanding our reach to promote powder coating done right to our largest member category — Custom Coaters — with a scholarship program which will be formally announced in 2026.

Powder coatings still represent only 10% of the global coatings market. There is much work to be done, and that’s why we are all here and showing up to do the work every day to advance this association — and all its important impact — forward.  

To close out this president’s message, I’ll leave you with this: We haven’t come this far just to come this far. We need you—your ideas, your talents—to be part of growing this association, making even greater global impacts. I encourage you to be an active part of this association. Get involved. Lead or join a committee. Challenge the status quo. Attend one of our events. Dial-in for our first ever virtual annual meeting in February. Ask some difficult questions and then put in the work alongside us to find the answers that will transform the industry.

Teddy Piepkow
Senior Manager, Sales
Nordson Corp.