kpianoforte@rodmanmedia.com
A Rodman Media Publication
70 Hilltop Road • Ramsey, NJ 07446 USA
(201) 825-2552 • Fax: (201) 825-0553
Web site: www.coatingsworld.com
EDITOR
Kerry Pianoforte • kpianforte@rodmanmedia.com
VICE PRESIDENT/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Tom Branna • tbranna@rodmanmedia.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Bridget Klebaur • bklebaur@rodmanmedia.com
ART DEPARTMENT
Michael Del Purgatorio
mdelpurgatorio@rodmanmedia.com
INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS
Sean Milmo (Europe)
Charles W. Thurston (Latin America/Americas)
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Phil Phillips
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Jim Berry (Berry Environmental)
Joseph Cristiano (consultant)
Thomas Frauman (consultant)
Joseph Prane (consultant)
Isadore Rubin (consultant)
Richard M. Tepper (PPG Industries)
Shelby F. Thames (University of So. Mississippi)
PRESIDENT
Rodman J. Zilenziger, Jr.
rzilenziger@rodmanmedia.com
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Matthew J. Montgomery
mmontgomery@rodmanmedia.com
GROUP PUBLISHER / ADVERTISING SALES
Dale Pritchett • dpritchett@rodmanmedia.com
ADVERTISING SALES (U.S.)
Kim Clement Rafferty • krafferty@rodmanmedia.com
ADVERTISING SALES (Europe)
Baudry Boisseau Associates
27 Rue J. Lebeau- B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: 32-(0)2-513-06-47 • Fax: 32-(0)2-514-17-38
baudry@baudryboisseau.com
ADVERTISING SALES (Hong Kong, Taiwan & China)
Ringier Trade Publishing Ltd
401-405 4/F New Victory House
93-103 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
(852) 2369 8788 • Fax: (852) 2869 5919
mchhay@ringier.com.hk
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES
Patty Ivanov • 631-642-2048; Fax 631-473-5694
pivanov@rodmanmedia.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Patricia Hilla • philla@rodmanmedia.com
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Joe DiMaulo • jdimaulo@rodmanmedia.com
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Richard DeVoto • rdevoto@rodmanmedia.com
ONLINE DIRECTOR
Paul Simansky • psimansky@rodmanmedia.com
Coatings World’s circulation is audited by BPA Worldwide.
At the start of a new year there is always a sense of optimism for the future. The paint and coatings industry has had some rocky years, but things appear to be improving.
Throughout 2013 both paint manufacturers and their suppliers were
reporting improvements in their business. The general feeling is that this
upswing is going to continue into 2014.
In the article “Interior Architectural Interior Coatings” (pg. 28) paint
manufacturers I interviewed reported positive growth in 2013 due to
an improved housing market and increased consumer confidence. In the
“Pigments Report” (pg. 36) pigment suppliers also expressed optimism.
Frank Lavieri of Lansco Colors said, “We saw the pigment market grow in
2013 especially in the last third of the year and particularly in industries
serving construction and housing. Since 2009 we have seen the consumption of pigment increase steadily and at double-digit rates at times. We
expect 2014 to be another strong year.” This sentiment was echoed in the
“Additives Market Report” (pg. 33). “The outlook for 2014 remains optimistic, with eyes continuing to follow the housing market. Particularly as
interest rates begin to rise and employment numbers evolve,” said Amber
Goodyear of Coatex Inc.
This optimism has a concrete basis as financial experts are also reporting that they expect things to improve in 2014. Prudential market experts
recently reported that they expect significant growth in the financial markets in 2014 as the U.S. and global economies continue to recover amid
central bank actions, low inflation and an improved business climate. They
outlined their views at Prudential Financial, Inc.’s 2014 Global Economic
and Retirement Outlook briefing.
In a statement released at the briefing Ed Keon, managing director of
Quantitative Management Associates, said the more global markets and
economies improve, the more they begin to resemble their pre-2008 levels.
He expects significant growth in 2014 driven in part by technological innovations and a possible positive “shock” in energy production in the U.S.
and around the world. He expects the Federal Reserve to remain on the
sidelines for the next couple of years, keeping interest rates low, even as it
begins to taper its bond-buying program.
“The new normal is beginning to look like the old normal. We’ve seen
significant growth in 2013 and we’re now experiencing a robust economy
that we used to think of as normal,” Keon said.
Although it is much too early to tell for sure, things certainly do seem
to be looking up in 2014!
2014 Off to a Great Start
