The 2014 Powder Coating Show—the only tradeshow solely dedicated to the powder coating industry in North America—is finally here. Proudly recognized as the leading resource for technical and applied technology forums as well as new product innovations and developments, this is your single best opportunity to meet and interact with the leading professionals from the powder coating industry.

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Manufacturers continue to wrap their heads around the fact that growth in the early months of 2014 has been more disappointing than originally anticipated, but at the same time, they are cautiously upbeat about the second half of the year. The sharp 2.9 percent drop in real GDP in the first quarter clearly altered perceptions about the economy, with business leaders struggling to try to figure out how that impacts their prospects for the rest of this year.

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In California, the state Assembly has passed legislation that would hold companies responsible for the employment conditions of its contracted, temporary workers that are employed through staffing agencies. CA AB 1897, currently pending in the Senate, would require client employers to share legal responsibility with labor contractors for any wage violations, on-the-job injuries, workers’ compensation coverage, and tax contributions. Labor advocates argue that temporary workers are more frequently subject to unsafe working environments, have higher rates of on-the-job injuries, and are not always paid their full wages by the agencies employing them.

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PCI® recently signed a letter urging Congress to pass H.R. 803, the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act. Employers are significantly impacted by the lack of high-skilled workers required to meet the needs of advanced manufacturing and we need immediate and long-term solutions to replenish the skilled workforce pipeline. H.R. 803, Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act takes significant steps towards that goal. For more on this Bill, visit www.shopfloororg/2014/07/21st-century-workforcetraining/31657.

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Axalta and the No. 24 Team Kissed the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With wins in Kansas and Indianapolis, Brilliant Flames and driver Jeff Gordon are on a hot streak after taking the checkered flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Brickyard 400.

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Chemetall, New Providence, N.J., has announced its active presence on five popular social media sites: You- Tube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Chemetall adheres to a six-part Total Value Proposition— an integrated portfolio of products; comprehensive expert support; open collaboration; fast and accurate labs; exceptional quality standards; and real people available locally.

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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $1.2 million to Bay City, Texas. The investment will support roadway and sewer infrastructure improvements critical to the establishment of a new manufacturing facility. According to grantee estimates, the EDA grant will create 600 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in private investment once the facility is operational in 2016.

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The Powder Coating Institute has partnered with the American Coating Association to bring members quarterly updates on legislation and regulatory issues affecting the powder coating industry.

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Therma-Tron-X (TTX), a Sturgeon Bay, Wis.-based manufacturer that specializes in complete finishing systems for industrial customers, broke ground last fall on a 26,800-square-foot addition that now provides more inside storage for steel and other equipment for its large projects that can range from $1 million to $15 million. This is the fourth expansion in the last three years for the company that has added 50 jobs since 2012.

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Fischer Technology has been accredited ISO/IEC 17025:2005 by the American Association of Accreditation Laboratories. ISO 17025 is the benchmark standard for calibration labs and ensures the competency of the laboratory staff and the accuracy of the calibrations being performed.

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