Will the good times keep coating?

Coatings producers and their suppliers enjoyed a robust market for the first six to nine months of the year 2007, due to reasonable stable prices of energy and raw materials. Most of the large coatings manufacturers have been successful in passing price increases along with a significant profit, which has resulted in further merger and acquisition activities in the year 2007. The automotive industry is expecting to expand, while the leading companies continue to invest in China, opening plants throughout the country. Many of the raw materials consumed in the production of paints and coatings are derived from petrochemical feedstock, and crude oil pricing is expected to remain a key factor for formulators in the year 2008. Forward strategic planning can prove to be effective for any global company, and it is required to remain updated in terms of innovative product development, strategic decision-making, or employee enhancement.