Editorial June 2008
Bits and pieces
If you were around in the 1960’s, which I am afraid I was, then this month’s Editorial title will pro bably bring back memories to you of the Dave Clark Five. This band hailing from London, UK were for a time challengers to the Beatles’ crown of world’s most famous pop group. They provided a whole swinging 60s’ generation with a new exciting sound and their pounding, upbeat “Bits and Pieces” became a signature tune of the times. Why this reference to golden oldies songs? Simply that sitting down to write this month’s contribution it became apparent to me that I had a number of short “bits and pieces” that I wished to communicate to you.
In the first place I would like to draw your attention to our upcoming Stainless Steel World America 2008 Conference & Expo which is now rapidly approaching. Taking place on September 9–10 in Houston, Texas, USA, it is deinitely an event not to be missed. However, don’t take my word for it – why not browse through what some leading industrial members of the stainless steel community have to say about it, who will be attending the meet. Moreover, if you are also quick, you can still take advantage of the early bird discount registration fee which will still be available till June 15th. For more information see pages 44–47 + 58 this issue and/or visit our website at http://www.stainless-steel-world.net/ssw2008/ShowPage.aspx where you will also find tips as to how you can combine this event with some enjoyable social networking.
And talking about networking in an amicable environment quite naturally brings me around to the recent 12th ISSF’s Annual General Meeting held in Paris, France whose Open Panel Session I attended on May 19–20th. Here we were treated to some glowing testimonials to the use of ferritics in household products by Gaetano Ronchi, Consultant to IKEA, Patrik Zeiter of Nussbaum, Switzerland, and Jochen Mueller of ThyssenKrupp Aufzugswerke. In addition there were trips to find out the secrets of the use of steel in the Eiffel Tower, as well as visits to ArcelorMittal Chatelet (long products) mill, or alternatively Ugitech to see long product production. An event well worth its information and networking opportunities. A summary of it will be provided in next month’s Stainless Steel World. The luxury of traveling does not end here as next month also sees our editorial staff heading out to the BSSA Annual Conference: Stainless Steel – Building the Future, in Kenilworth, UK June 18–20th, and the 6th European Stainless Steel Conference Science & Market to be held in Helsinki, Finland, June 13–16th. I myself will be heading off to visit the Indian market scene. This as part of the package to keep you updated in our reports as to what is happening around the world. Whilst the traveling sounds glamorous, it often sounds pleasanter than it is. For example recent train strikes in France and Belgium played havoc with my itinerary around the ISSF event.
Next on the list is the forthcoming book by Giel Notten which will contain all thirty-four of his articles on Corrosion Engineering that have been published in Stainless Steel World over the last three years. The book “the Corrosion Engineering Guide” is due out in July and, although the price has not been ixed yet, if you are interested in more information about it, please contact me at my address below.
Finally, two comments on paper and oil & gas. Don’t forget to hang on to your old copies of Stainless Steel World as old printed paper. With pulp prices rising from 440 US$ in 2002 to 900 US$ today because of the continually increasing demand for paper products particularly in new market countries like China, your Stainless Steel issues could be the gold dust of tomorrow. At a time of soaring energy prices which is affecting all our businesses, a note from a well-known US car company that is guaranteeing you a stable tanking price for petrol which will not exceed US$2,99 per gallon before 2011. The catch – you have to buy a new Chrysler Jeep or Dodge – which by all accounts are thirsty devils (not the one in the photograph)!
Enjoy the issue.
On page 48 onwards of the Stainless Steel World May 2008 issue you will find an article by James Chater on “Japan: trading know-how for energy”. Accompanying this article is a table of recent projects carried out in Japan by Japanese companies in various fields of industry. As it was too long to be included within the article we have put it on the Stainless Steel website. In order to retrieve the table from the article “Japan trading”, please click here.