On Friday February 15, 2019, the REACH Committee of the European Commission in Brussels Belgium, voted on a proposal which will have a major positive impact on Van Etten, NY-based Vergason Technology Inc.

The European Union’s REACH committee representatives agreed to eliminate the use of chromium trioxide in most manufacturing processes by September 21, 2024 . This legislation (VIEW HERE) will prohibit the use of chromium trioxide in a broad array of manufactured products.

Chromium trioxide is a major component of galvanic chrome plating on plastics, which is used extensively in automotive decorative trim, white goods (appliance), and plastic plumbing and sanitary components. Examples of automotive products affected are grills, rear view mirror housings, trim spears, rear appliques, door handles, dash board trim, and shift-gate bezels. For sanitary and white goods, it affects showerheads, toilet handles, certain faucets, as well as trim rings and control panels for washers, dryers, stovetops, and more.

Why does this affect Vergason?

Vergason Technology has patented and is currently promoting an alternative decorative chrome process called SuperChrome®. SuperChrome is a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating that contains no chromium trioxide, nor any other hazardous elements. It is an environmentally-friendly process that presents a very attractive alternative to galvanic chrome plating for the world-wide markets utilizing decorative Chrome.

Vergason is a world-class supplier of PVD systems and has been actively promoting the SuperChrome coating, process, and equipment to the Auto, Sanitary, Appliance, and other industries for several years. This recent news will drive industries in Europe to urgently seek alternatives to galvanic chrome plating, such as SuperChrome, as they face the legislated sunset date for chromium trioxide five-and-a-half years from now.

Isn’t five years a long time away?

In the automotive world, five years is an eyeblink away. Auto manufacturers award contracts 2-3 years ahead of model year releases to their Tier 1/Tier 2 supply chain for trim components. These suppliers are already establishing manufacturing plans and schedules for model years 2022 and 2023. As companies view the looming STOP date for traditional galvanic chrome plating, they must move quickly to establish alternatives.

What is REACH?

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) is a regulation of the European Union, adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. It also promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals.

In principle, REACH applies to all chemical substances; not only those used in industrial processes but also in our day-to- day lives, for example in cleaning products, paints as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture and electrical appliances. Therefore, the regulation has an impact on most companies across the EU.

January 21-22, 2019

VTI Black Cat Tactical Coatings

Visit us at booth #S2103.

Please stop by to see our latest PVD coatings offerings. We are featuring our Black Cat (TM) Tactical coating which provides superior lubricity and durability for all tactical applications.

Vergason Technology Inc. (VTI) is pleased to announce the opening of our new European sales and support office, located in Munich, Germany. VTI is now poised to fully support our growing European business activities. Beginning August 1, 2018, We will be supporting all EU-based customers from this location. VTI Europe will be responsible for sales and support of all VTI PVD Equipment activities, including our newest releases, the LEAN 710 Thermal/Sputtering Rapid Cycle metallizer, and our Groundbreaking SuperChrome® PVD alternative to traditional galvanic chrome plating. We look forward to working with all of our EU customers and associates from our newest location.  Please contact us and let our team of specialists help you with world-class PVD solutions!

Primary Contacts :

Ronny Wolf

Key Account Manager

+49 160 96 67 67 30

rwolf@vergason.eu

European Sales Office

Dachauer Strasse 342

D 80993 Munich

Germany

Markus Lindig

Key Account Manager

+49 152 33 68 66 15

mlindig@vergason.eu

European Sales Office

Oppauer Strasse 31

D 67069 Ludwigshafen/Rhein

Germany

Come see the Vergason team at PLASTEC East on June 12 to 14, 2018. PLASTEC East is a large advanced design and manufacturing event that will be happening at the Javits Convention Center in New York, NY. This annual trade show is known throughout the industry as the place to see the latest plastic innovations. Whether you are interested in learning about new materials available or want to be in on the latest developments regarding injection molding and rapid prototyping, you are sure to enjoy your visit.

Contact the team at Vergason Technology, Inc., for more information about our PVD technology, evaporation equipment, and coatings.

You can find the team from Vergason at the LIGHTFAIR International Trade Show and Conference from May 6^th to 10^th at McCormick Place. This conference, which is also known as the largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show, was established in 1989, which makes this the 29^th edition. The goal of this conference is to bring together “the transformative power of innovation and imagination” in a presentation of “light and technology.”

As a leading innovator in PVD technology with expertise in sputtering, thermal evaporation and arc vapor deposition technologies, Vergason is ready to share our products and services with you. Our vacuum metalizing coatings are used for reflective and decorative applications in many industries, including overhead lighting, street and emergency lighting, airport and automotive lighting, and consumer products.

Stop by our Booth #5182 to meet with us and learn more about how our business can help your business.

VTI introduces its newest platform in rapid cycle vacuum metallizers—the LEAN 710. The LEAN 710 utilizes the same fixtures as VTI’s flagship Press-Side® 4000SL sputtering system. Customers can specify the deposition source as either thermal evaporation or magnetron sputtering. In an industry first, the LEAN 710 can be converted IN THE FIELD, from one deposition type to the other.  All this innovation is available at a very attractive entry price, with significant cost advantages over competitive systems.

Contact us today for more information about our vacuum metallization equipment. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have about our products.

The team at Vergason is hitting the road again! This January, we will be at the 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas! On January 22^nd and 23^rd, our team will be participating in the Shot Week Supplier Showcase at the Palazzo Ballroom on the 5^th floor in the Venetian Hotel Meeting Rooms.

SHOT Week is where you can learn about the industry-related events occurring as part of the Las Vegas SHOT Show. This event is being held on behalf of the SHOT Show, as well as the NSSF. While at the showcase, you will be able to see more than 250 suppliers presenting products and services from a variety of categories, such as tools, fabrication, metal extrusions, and machinery. Attendance to this event is free for any registered 2018 SHOT Show exhibitor.

Our business will be located at booth #S1321. While you are here, you will be able to check out our latest PVD coatings and equipment offerings. You can also check out our Black Cat™ Tactical coating, which provides superior lubricity and durability for all tactical applications. From thermal evaporation to vacuum metallizing, our business is ready to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about our PVD products.

VTI is just back from exhibiting at the Automotive Interiors Expo 2017 held in Novi, MI.   The expo was held in conjunction with Automotive Testing Expo 2017 & Engine Expo 2017. It was a must-attend technical show for many Detroit-Based OEM representatives, Tier 1 /Tier 2 suppliers, and the downstream supplier community.

A notable array of state of the art technology covering a very wide spectrum of automotive component and system evaluation technology was on display, as well as a healthy number of exhibitors (including VTI) supporting the 1st iteration in the USA of the very successful Automotive Interiors Expo held every year in Stuttgart, Germany.  (see VTI at the 2018 Stuttgart Expo June 5-7, 2018  http://www.automotive-interiors-expo.com/en/)

There was an amazing parade of high quality contacts expressing interest in VTI SuperChrome™, for interior and exterior trim and other decorative/functional components. SuperChrome™ and our more traditional PVD solutions were on display, to address the ever-changing design interests of OEMS and the greater supply chain.

I would like to give a major shout-out to not only the Show organizers, but all the workers, attendees and exhibitors who braved a water main break during the entire show, rendering restrooms and running water unavailable to not only the venue, but to a large portion of the regional community. We stoically endured porta johns and hand sanitizer overload, and it did not appear to dampen the spirits of any that were in attendance.  It’s highly encouraging to see a generally pampered and privileged business community realize that we can survive and thrive under less than ideal conditions. The open bar on the show floor on Wednesday night did not hurt either…..