The monthly roundup from Editor Teresa McPherson.

This month's cover story describes a boat manufacturer's use of dispensing equipment to make sailboats. Vanguard Sailboats, the world's leading manufacturer and largest U.S. supplier of recreational and high-performance small sailboats, uses a MIXPAC DXH dispenser and DXR refill station as part of its sailboat manufacturing process. See details on p. 32.

Electronics adhesives and sealants continue to be a growing market. According to a recent Freedonia Group study, demand for electronic chemicals in the United States is projected to increase 11% per year to over $6 billion in 2008. This upward trend is led by extraordinary growth in low-k dielectric materials, as well as healthy growth in premium high-performance products.

Lead-free maintains a large part of electronics manufacture, and a case study this month from Indium Corp. of America and Motorola Corp. examines the impact of implementing a Pb-free manufacturing production process. "Get the Lead Out" outlines the potential issues relating to the implementation of a Pb-free solder paste into a standard Sn/Pb manufacturing facility and product.

An article from 3M discusses a 100%-solid paste adhesive technology that employs ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to B-stage the adhesive, which has been used in a number of packaging applications, including die and stiffener attaching.

End User Coverage

This month's issue once again includes our EndUser: Construction/Wood Products section. In this section we've included an exciting story about a new pre-cured silicone sealant that is finding new applications in the construction industry. The article kicks off our EndUser section.

We also have several online exclusives for this month. Visit our website at http://www.adhesivesmag.com to see a preview of the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS) Fair, to take place July 27-30 in Las Vegas, as well as a calendar of events for the construction industry.

Act Now for the 2005 ASI 50

We are currently preparing the ASI 50, our annual listing of top adhesives and sealants manufacturers in North America, to appear in the October issue. The top 50 North American companies will be listed alphabetically and will include 2004 North American adhesives/sealants sales figures. The ASI 50 is also posted on our website, www.adhesivesmag.com. If you feel your company is qualified to be included and is not already on the website listing, please send an e-mail to mcphersont@bnpmedia.com by Friday, July 22, or fill out the listing form on our website at http://www.adhesivesmag.com/FILES/HTML/ASI_Top50_Form/0,9822,,00.html.

Teresa McPherson is Editor of Adhesives & Sealants Industry magazine. If you wish to send a letter to the editor, please address it to the editor, ASI Magazine, PO Box 936, Lapeer, MI 48446, or e-mail mcphersont@bnpmedia.com. Letters must include the sender's address, phone number and e-mail address, when possible. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.