Metal coaters worldwide are evaluating the benefits of a relationship with Electroplating Technologies, Ltd. 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

Technology for efficiency
ETL’s primary focus is on licensing its HydroJet® technology to new electroplating facilities or retrofitting the technology to existing plating plants. In fact, ETL's proprietary and patented HydroJet technology has doubled and even tripled the plating rate and efficiency in commercial plating shops performing continuous, reel-to-reel electroplating of flat rolled sheet metal, in coil form. The HydroJet process "sweeps away" the barrier layer commonly found in electrochemical processes. That is, the barrier layer made up of such items as hydrogen gas bubbles, thermally overheated zones, and micro-ion depletion layers is wiped off the surface of the cathode strip. This continuous cleansing of the strip enhances the plating efficiency.

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 45 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).

ETL’s clients and reach
ETL owns and controls several U.S. Patents related to the electroplating of flat rolled sheet metal, in coil form. ETL has consummated license agreements with:

• 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. 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.

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 — 7 years at Bethlehem Steel
• Intellectual Property Licensing — 35 years worldwide at Bethlehem Steel, BHP & ETL

Education:

• BS ME at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• MS Materials Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• MBA at Lehigh University
• Leadership Development at University of Maryland.
• Project Management at WPI
• Crisis Management at Cal-Berkeley
• Senior Management at Harvard University

Awards:

• Best Paper at SAE Conference
• Best Paper at Galvanizers Committee
• 20 US and overseas Patents
• Professional Societies: AESF, LES, SAE, AISE and IISI.