We have many advanced ceramic and glass treats to share with you this holiday season. For example, a new beam-shaping technology is setting an example for modern manufacturing. Read “Fitting Square Optics into a Round Hole” to learn more. Miniaturized electronic ceramic components make many futuristic products possible, and “Ceramics in the Electronic Age” has all the details. In addition, a new class of glass-ceramics has been developed for “Micro-Milling Media.”

We’re also excited to bring you our fifth annual Services Directory and Business Guide in this issue. The Services Directory Address Index includes complete supplier contact information and a brief description of the services offered by each company. The accompanying chart-style listings (pp. 42-45) specify each service provider’s area(s) of expertise.* The Business Guide features articles that aim to help manufacturers improve their performance. Many manufacturers have embraced lean as a way to streamline their businesses and improve quality, and they’re finding that “Kaizen Events” can be a beneficial practice. Additional articles in this section include “Planning for Productivity,” “Preventing Hearing Loss,” and “Maintenance Management Software.”

As 2011 draws to a close, rest assured that all of us at Ceramic Industry continue to focus on sharing information to help your businesses succeed; please contact me at (330) 336-4098 or suttons@bnpmedia.com with your comments or suggestions. Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!