BCF WARNS OF RAW MATERIALS SHORTAGES

Moira McMillan, British Coatings Federation CEO, has warned of the likelihood of coatings price increases as a result of ongoing shortages in a range of key raw materials (including precursor materials for epoxy resins), a number of solvents (including xylene, acetone and ethyl acetate), and zinc dust (which is used in protective paints). Members have alerted the BCF to significant price increases for a range of raw materials, due to global supply shortfall. The federation believes that this situation is likely to continue for some time, and though manufacturers will be able to hold prices while current stocks last, future price increases appear to be inevitable.

For more information, visit http://www.coatings.org.uk .

BROOKFIELD ADDS ON-SITE SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, MA, has added Andrew Crawford to its service team as an on-site service engineer. The addition of Crawford comes in direct response to customer demand for on-site service, which has increased over 50% since 2005. On-site service makes life easier for customers who can't afford to stop production to return their instruments to Brookfield for repair. With on-site services, one of Brookfield's service technicians will visit facilities and put instruments in top running order. In addition to performing all necessary repairs and adjustments, the technicians often provide tips and techniques for taking good measurements.

For more information, visit http://www.brookfieldengineering.com or call (800) 628-8139.

SARTOMER APPOINTS MANAGER OF METALLIC MONOMER MANUFACTURING

Sartomer Co. has appointed Edward J. Ogle as manager of metallic monomer manufacturing effective Sept. 1. Ogle is responsible for all plant operations at Sartomer's Stratford, CT, and Chatom, AL, facilities. Sartomer metallic monomers are used in coatings, inks, adhesives, composites and elastomer applications. Ogle joined Sartomer in April of 1992 and has held the titles of process engineer, technical manager, and plant manager during his tenure. Earlier in his career, Ogle spent several years with Nova Chemicals in West Haven, CT, as a project engineer and senior process engineer.

For more information, visit http://www.sartomer.com .