NACE Corrosion 2011 Conference & Exhibit - Houston, TX

The NACE Corrosion 2011 Conference in Houston, Texas was one of the best events we've attended in years according to Dr. Zee, Matco's primary corrosion scientist and NACE certified specialist in the fields of materials selection and design, protective coatings, cathodic protection, and of course, corrosion.  He was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic show of support from friends and industry associates for the new teaming of Matco Services' and Valmont Service Group (VSG), the coatings repair and structure refurbishment branch of Valmont Industries. 

To kick off the event a ceremonial cake cutting took place at Matco Services' exhibit booth with many onlookers standing by and joining in the fun.  Below is a photograph of two of the exhibit team members, Rebecca Maxwell and Carl Kempkes.        

Additional highlights included a dinner and reception sponsored by ATI at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  Pictured below are, from the left:  Jim Connor (ATI), Bhari Osturek (ATI), Pat Riley, Debra Riley, Andre Wojoinski (ATI), Rebecca Maxwell and Carl Kempkes.  Dr. Zee took the picture. 

The following night a small group of friends got together to discuss corrosion issues that affect the above and below grade portions of electric power transmission and distribution utility structures.   

On the last full day of the conference a drawing was held to select the winner of a flip video recorder.  Dr. Raja Rizwan Hussain, an Assistant Professor at the College of Engineering at King Suad University, was the lucky winner.  He is shown in the photograph below with Rebecca Maxwell.

Throughout the event Dr. Zee, a recent Fellow of both NACE and ASTM, was on-hand to discuss issues of interest with attendees that typically involved root cause failure analysis, corrosion engineering, cathodic protection and materials testing.  Matco Services' Director for the Field Inspection and Repair Group, Carl Kempkes, was also part of the exhibit booth team and was kept busy fielding the many questions pertaining to the methods used to inspect and repair damaged coatings on a variety of structures including traffic and lighting, sports and high mass poles, signage, railing, and transmission and distribution utility structures. 

The newly combined group will offer clients a comprehensive materials solution package that includes materials testing, failure analysis, corrosion engineering, R&D, inspection condition assessments of steel structures above and below grade, and the repair and refurbishment of structures in need.   This will enable Matco Services' clients to rely on just one company rather than several for their materials and corrosion related concerns.  For more information on how Matco Services' can assist you, click on the following link (http://matcoinc.com/contact-us/service-request-form) and you will be guided to a contact form for an email inquiry or simply give us a call toll free at 800-221-9090.

In the meantime we would like to share with you some of the great times we had during our stay and while exhibiting at the NACE Corrosion 2011 Convention.