Metal coaters worldwide are recognizing the benefits of a relationship with Electroplating Technologies, Ltd., in growing numbers. That’s because ETL possesses world class, state-of-the-art technology related to electroplating of sheet and/or strip substrate materials, which can be implemented in "greenfield" operations (i.e. new process lines) or retrofitted at low cost into existing facilities. 

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge with James L. Forand, President and CEO of ETL in San Paulo, Brazil during a state trade mission to Argentina, Brazil and Chile in December 2000.

Technology for efficiency
Our primary focus is on methods and apparatus related to electrochemical processing and the means of significantly improving the efficiency and profit of such processing. While most of ETL's R&D work has been directed toward the electroplating of continuous reel-to-reel sheet metal in coil form, the company has expended significant effort on enhancing other electrochemical processes as well—including, but not limited to, electrochemical cleaning, anodizing, electrolytic pickling, and commercial gas generation. In fact, ETL's proprietary and patented technology has doubled and even tripled the rate and efficiency of such electrochemical processes. A few of our achievements: tripling the deposition rate in sheet and strip plating processes, doubling the cleaning rate in electrochemical cleaning, and doubling the process rate of anodizing.

We have developed two main method and apparatus technologies: ElectroJet^® and HydroJet™. Both processes "sweep away" the barrier layer commonly found in electrochemical processes. That is, the barrier layer made up of such items as gas bubbles, thermally overheated zones, and micro-ion depletion layers is wiped off the surface of the electrodes (i.e. the anode and/or cathode).

Expert knowledge
Author of numerous published papers and 15 U.S. patents and numerous foreign patents as well, ETL president and CEO James L. Forand offers over 40 years of experience in the metals industry. Prior to forming ETL, Mr. Forand was the CEO and board member of several companies, including Bethlehem International Engineering Company (BIEC, the international engineering/intellectual property subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel Corp.), BIEC International Inc., and ASCP Pacific Inc. (both subsidiaries of BHP Australia).

To complement his knowledge, ETL’s Advisory Board is comprised of Mr. Angelo R. Borzillo, world renowned expert in the field of coated sheet metal products and co-inventor of Galvalume^® sheet steel, the world's fastest-growing sheet steel product; and Mr. Vincent Dieter, owner and president of Lehigh Machine Company, which performs machining, welding and fabrication services for its customers.

ETL also has strategic business alliances with some of the world’s largest metals companies and electronic materials companies.

ETL’s clients and reach
ETL owns and controls several U.S. Patents as well as foreign patents (including numerous pending patents) related to the subject matter described above. We have a number of licensees in the United States and abroad, only three of which have been made public by the licensees. These include:

• Apollo Metals, Ltd. (AML) (part of Corus International Group), of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Armco do Brasil S.A. (ABSA), of San Paulo
• Precision Plating Company, INC. (PPC) of Chicago, Illinois

ETL was invited to participate in the Pennsylvania Tradel Mission to Hong Kong in 1999. Mr. Forand is pictured with Jimmy Kwak, Managing Director of Rambo Chemicals (H.K) Ltd.

The first two companies mentioned above produce and sell "specialty coated ferrous sheet metal products," such as copper-plated, nickel-plated, nickel/chromium-plated, brass-plated, and zinc-plated sheet steel, which are used for a myriad of functional and decorative applications. For example, nickel/chromium-coated sheet steel is used in the manufacture of kitchen appliances such as toasters, toaster ovens, and coffee makers. Brass-plated sheet steel is used for outdoor lighting fixtures and supplies, trophy plaques, and decorative trim.

PPC and other ETL licensees produce specialty coated non-ferrous sheet metal products, such as tin-coated copper alloy sheet metal and nickel-coated copper alloy sheet metal for applications in the electrical and electronics industries (primarily for connector components). The electrical connector and electronic connector markets represent the greatest applications for ETL's technologies and services package in the field of non-ferrous sheet metal electroplating.

Another market segment being aggressively pursued by ETL and its licensee/potential licensee-partners is the merchant electrogalvanizing market. End products such as computer "boxes" and VCR casings are significant consumers of merchant electrogalvanized sheet steel. Such product is also used for impact door beams and bumpers in cars and light trucks. In the prepainted condition, the product is used for various building components such as office walls, partitions, and panels.

Spanning the Globe
ETL truly has global reach through its 18 agents and representatives, who cover 33 countries. Our people are located in some of the major business communities in the world, including Toronto, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Singapore, San Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Monterrey, Johannesburg, Sydney, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Prague and Jerusalem.

With host country citizen staff, who are familiar with the local customs, language and commercial practices, it makes business partnering an easier task for ETL.

About our CEO
Below is a brief summary of the career of James L. Forand, CEO of ETL.

Executive Positions:

• Electroplating Technologies Ltd. — President, CEO and Board Member
• Global Steel Services Ltd. — President, CEO and Board Member
• BIEC International, Inc. — President, CEO and Board Member
• ASC Pacific, Inc. — Board Member
• Bethlehem International Engineering Corporation — Executive Director
• MetMex — Board Member

Functional Positions:

• R&D — 13 years at Inland Steel Company and Bethlehem Steel Corp.
• Marketing — 7years
• Intellectual Property Licensing — 25 years worldwide

Education:

• BS ME at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• MS Materials Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• MBA at Lehigh University
• Senior Management at Harvard University
• Honor Societies: Sigma Xi & Pi Tau Sigma

Awards:

• Best Paper at SAE Conference
• Best Paper at Galvanizers Committee
• 20 US and overseas Patents
• Current Professional Societies: AESF and LES

ETL was established as an R&D/Technology Licensing Company. The company was chartered in Delaware in July of 1994. Its principal offices and operations are located in the Whitehall-Coplay area of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

Galvalume^® is the registerd trademark of BIEC International Inc.