Our 2007-08 Chapter year began on Thursday, September 27^th with a dinner meeting that featured a unique program regarding the challenges that industrial coating OEMs and custom coaters face in today’s business atmosphere.

PRESENTATION The presenters were Boyd Kneen and Jim Bradford of Utility Partners. Boyd and Jim teamed up to give us both an entertaining as well as informative presentation. Boyd Kneen’s presentation covered electrical and natural gas pricing components. Of particular interest was what manufacturers can do to save on utility costs and also existing utility based cost savings technologies. Jim Bradford then went into specific detail on a typical Energy Action Plan and then detailed an Energy Use Analysis for us. Of particular interest in Jim’s presentation were the multiple power point examples of powder shops that implemented specific actions which accounted for considerable yearly dollar savings. Of course, the utility rebates available to manufacturers and finishing shops was of major interest to the group.

Bottom line – “Utility budgeting is a critical item in today’s business world”. There was an easy give and take between the two speakers and the attendees during the presentations. A lot of info was passed on to those present in the one hour presentation. If energy is of importance in your daily plant/shop operation and you weren’t present, you missed a good one. 

The program was one of active participation by presenters and attendees

 Scott Berg our Program Chairman of the evening surprised everyone with a desert break right between the two speaker presentations. Scott had desert plates brought in and everyone took up a desert and fork for sweet tooth satisfaction. This was pretty nice of Scott and we are wondering what he is going to surprise us with at future dinner meetings. Thank you Scott.

Fred Wells who is president of the Milwaukee Chapter of CCAI was at the meeting and in addition to greetings from the Milwaukee Chapter; Fred expressed his appreciation regarding the evening’s industrial energy program.

POT of MONEY DRAWING Membership chairman Jim Hennignsen held the member drawing in which a cash prize is given to a paid up member in attendance. The name of Dale Kluck of RB Painting & Metal Finishing, Inc. was drawn. Dale unfortunately was not in attendance to collect the $25.00. The drawing amount at our October 18^th meeting will be $50.00.

NEW MEMBERS Welcome to Gary Schnabel and Steve Frohnauer who signed up as new TC Chapter members. In accordance with this year’s membership promotion, the cost of dinner for the new members was paid for by the Chapter. Note that the cost of the first regular meeting that a new member attends will be covered by the TC Chapter.

              Regional Sales Mgr                                                                                              Sr. Manufacturing Engr.        

               Chemetall Oakite                                                                                                  Donaldson Company, Inc.

Thanks to everyone who attended the first meeting of our 2007-08 year. From comments heard after the program, everyone was pretty much satisfied with the presentation and found the content very worthwhile.