AIM Market Research recently completed a comprehensive market study of North America Coil Coating Lines and the outlook for upgrading, replacing, or adding this kind of equipment. Results also provide a characterization of coil coating operations, including the process improvement priorities and plans to upgrade and replace these facilities.

This report provides extensive information about the respondents’ facilities, including the type of plant, processing capacities and specific equipment data. The report also identifies the facilities’ output — type and quantity of substrate processed, major end-use markets served, and the share of production by end-use markets. Respondents also identified their fundamental priorities and adequacy in terms of present and future coil coating needs, automation and maintenance.

The report also features a competitive analysis of coil coating equipment suppliers, addressing such factors as the evaluation of coil coating line equipment and equipment vendors, and a summary of the leading suppliers of coil coating machinery. The report also provides a competitive analysis of coating suppliers, including identification of the leading suppliers, their market share by volume, and performance ratings.

The report addresses the latest and most significant trends in coating, including:

• Cool roof regulations.
• Chrome VI free regulations and interest in switching to a chrome-free primer/pretreatment system.
• The impact of coil sizes on coating costs.
• Typical inventory value of paints & coatings.
• The disposition of unused good quality paint.
• Opportunities for new of better coating products.
• Quality related issues.
• The most important improvements that could be made to the coil coating line.
• The use of thickness gauges & gauge measurement for substrate and coatings.
• Interest in closed loop control and other on-line non-contact instruments used on the coating line.
• Problems, concerns, or issues with coil coating operation and plans to address them.
• Method of heating employed on the coil coating line.
• Dissatisfaction with heating portion of coil coating, and plans to address heating problems.
• Plans for upgrading or adding coil coating equipment
• Coil coating industry outlook.
• Reasons for projected changes in demand for coil coating.
• Prospects for helping coil coaters improve performance.

The study included interviews with key personnel in 60 coil coating operations in the U.S. The survey was conducted between December 29, 2005 and February 17, 2006. As is AIM’s normal methodology, the survey was conducted via phone interviews. All detailed results are now available. Six vendors to coil coating operations helped to fund the research. Co-sponsors included major suppliers of coil coating line equipment, thickness gauges, coatings and pigments, and induction heating.

AIM Market Research Founder and President Marc Liebman comments, “This completes the tenth in our series of co-sponsored non-proprietary projects primarily focused on major steel and aluminum processing areas. By organizing these projects, we have been able to address the needs of steel and non-ferrous industry suppliers for strategic market information. By synergizing their needs, we have been able to offer a considerable value at a lower cost compared to proprietary studies. In addition, any supplier of products and services to the steel and non-ferrous metals processing operations can benefit from this research.

AIM Market Research provides industrial marketing consulting, market research and development services. AIM Market Research has extensive knowledge of the metals industry, established contacts, and an ongoing dialogue with key new technology decision makers at many ferrous and non-ferrous companies. AIM has completed over 370 projects since 1987, including many market studies focused on the steel and non-ferrous metals industry. AIM has also been active in market research and development in environmental, occupation health and safety, mining and automation and information technology.