NPCA, FSCT sign agreement to merge.

The National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA) and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement, which outlines the details of a prospective merger of the two organizations.

The agreement describes a "governance merger" that will consolidate the governance, management and administrative functions of both groups under NPCA, while preserving each organization's separate identities, operations, functions and member services. NPCA and FSCT will remain as separate organizations managed through a common governing structure.

As part of the merger, FSCT and NPCA have agreed to combine the International Coatings Expo (ICE) with the American Coatings Show and Conference (ACS) to be held on June 2-5, 2008, in Charlotte, NC. With the combination of ICE into the ACS, ICE 2008 in Chicago will be canceled. NPCA and FSCT will fully endorse and support the American Coatings Show as the premier exhibition for the coatings industry.

In addition, NPCA and FSCT will endorse and support the FSCT's international technology conference, FutureCoat!, which will continue as the signature science and technology event for the industry and a forum for FSCT's Annual Meeting. A complement to the American Coatings Conference, FutureCoat! will be held in the fall of 2008 in Chicago and feature multi-track educational programming focused on Globally Responsible Coatings. NPCA and FSCT have agreed to explore the possibility of holding FutureCoat! in conjunction and/or in cooperation with future American Coatings Shows and American Coatings Conferences and/or the NPCA Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference.

NPCA president Andy Doyle and FSCT executive director Joe Pontoski issued the following joint statement:

"NPCA and FSCT view FSCT as the leading technical and scientific educational organization for the industry and NPCA as the leading advocacy and public policy based organization for the industry. NPCA and FSCT fully endorse membership in and the programs and activities of both organizations. NPCA and FSCT are committed to combining their resources and expertise for the greater benefit of the industry. The purpose of integrating the management and financial resources of both parties is to enhance the overall quality and breadth of programs and services provided to the industry and to efficiently and effectively apply resources to industry priorities. In addition, we recognize that an important aspect of a successful merger of our two organizations is a continued affiliation and effective interaction with the industry's network of local societies, councils, and associations, and the Coatings Industry Education Foundation. We not only expect our relationship with these groups to continue, but to be enhanced and expanded."

NPCA and FSCT have agreed to an action plan to finalize the merger. FSCT's Board of Directors has already approved the Memorandum of Agreement and has recommended approval to its membership; NPCA's Board of Directors will take formal action on the agreement at its meeting on March 19.

Following a decision by NPCA's Board, the agreement will be submitted to the FSCT general membership for approval beginning on March 21. Voting by the FSCT membership will likely take place between April 21 and May 2, 2008, for all members of record as of Feb. 29, 2008. All aspects of the merger are expected to be completed by June 3, 2008.