SAFPA celebrates 21 years of service to the fluid power industry this year. The association was originally formed in 1982 as the Fluid Power Institute - and has changed its name to the South African Fluid Power Association in 2000. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with you for another 21 years!
Council members
The hard working council of the Fluid Power Association comprises:
* Manny Vieira (president).
* Russell Gill (immediate past president).
* Willem Gijzelaar.
* Richard Teagle.
* Walter Zimmerman.
* Neil Prenton.
* Fritz Kern.
* Chris Townsend (secretary).
SAFPA constitution
The council has recently re-written the constitution to modernise and update it in line with current activities and membership structure. The finished document is available from the secretary.
Membership
Membership is open to individuals and companies who are in the fluid power industry.
* Corporate membership: of the association shall be limited to companies, close corporations, partnerships and trusts registered both inside and outside the RSA that have been carrying on a core business in the pneumatics and/or hydraulics industry for the last three years prior to their application for membership.
* Individual membership: an individual who is at least 25 years of age, and has at least three years experience in the pneumatics and/or hydraulics industry may apply to become a member.
Membership certificates
New membership certificates will be issued upon receipt of paid up subscriptions. This will distinguish between members supporting the association and those lapsed members displaying old certificates on their office walls!
Technical meetings
Technical meetings are held regularly, specifically to impart information on topical issues to our members and their colleagues. Varied and informative speakers make presentations on a wide range of relevant topics. The forum also provides an opportunity to socialise and 'network' with fellow members and important contacts within the industry. The council intends extending these meetings to be held in Pretoria as well as in the Vaal Triangle area.
Standard generating group
Russell, Gill and the council are still feverishly working on setting up a standard generating group, which will proceed with the production and generation of unit standards, learnership(s) and qualification(s) specific to the fluid power industry. This is an immense task and needs the full backing of the industry.
Salary survey
Member companies were invited to take part in the recently conducted salary survey. Each participating member company contributed a fixed amount for the results and only these participating companies were eligible for results of the survey.
Size of industry survey
The council is embarking on a new venture: a survey to ascertain the size of the fluid power industry. This will again involve member and non-member companies in this industry.
Communication
Regular newsletters are sent to members keeping them up to date with current events. Communicating by fax is a costly and time-consuming exercise, and the association uses e-mail almost exclusively.
Website
Can be found at www.safpa.org.za. A complete list of corporate members is available on the website, as is a database of agencies and products. As this medium expands, we will also be including photos and information on current events.
Expanding the professional profile
In today's ever-changing world, it is vitally important for individuals and companies to keep abreast of current developments and changes within their sector of commerce. For this reason, the Fluid Power Association has opened the lines of communication within the hydraulic and pneumatic industry. We have done this in a number of ways, all of which directly benefit those who are currently association members.
Information sharing and our magazine
We have come to realise that this business, like any other, is driven by information. This we supply in a number of areas, one of which is in our magazine.
Motion Control in Southern Africa
This publication aims to speak authoritatively for the entire industry and attempts to accurately reflect the industry's key decision-makers. Advertising within this medium can also give our members important exposure.
Education
Education is also high on our priority list. The aim is to set high standards within the industry and then maintain these. Technical papers will be published for members' information. SAFPA has a small amount of funds available that they have been earmarked for furthering studies in the pneumatic/hydraulic industries. If you work for a company member or are an individual member of SAFPA, you could benefit from this fund. For an application form, please contact the secretary. The committee considers all applications as soon as possible after receipt.
Social interaction
Apart from the monthly meetings, interaction is further assisted within the context of a number of social functions, such as our annual Christmas braai, our fun-filled action cricket tournament, the inter-company soccer day, and the competitive golf day, where there are many prizes to be won thanks to our generous sponsors. The association also holds an annual dinner/dance.
International liaison
The association regularly communicates with, amongst others, the American NFPA and British Fluid Power Association for the purpose of keeping abreast of standards and global developments in our field.
What does this association do for you?
So finally, what does this association do for you? As you can see, our record clearly speaks for itself. The Fluid Power Association is currently involved in many different areas of our industry, concerned primarily with communication and improvement of standards.
Manny Vieira, president SAFPA, December 2003
For more information contact Chris Townsend, Cost Time Resource, +27 (0)11 888 7163, [email protected], www.safpa.org.za
| Tel: | +27 11 061 5000 |
| Fax: | 086 589 2158 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.safpa.org.za |
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