Page 6 - MetalForming July 2012

Editorial
William E. Gaskin
70 Years of Industry Leadership
The 70th anniversary of the founding of the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) is a milestone worth celebrating. Our member companies and the entire metalforming industry should take pride in this accomplishment, and should look forward to a bright future. A hallmark for any successful trade association is member engagement, bringing togeth- er the industry’s brightest minds in order to solve common problems, whether rooted in advancements in core technology, imposed through new government regulations, in response to a national crisis, or to address an evolutionary change requiring concerted long-term action.
Associations must be driven by a diverse group of committed volunteer leaders who rely on a strong professional staff to develop and implement plans, strategies and tactics. In our 70th year, PMA continues to benefit from both groups—volunteers and staff working togeth- er to accomplish our mission:
To shape the environment of the metalforming industry, leading innovative member com- panies toward superior competitiveness and profitability.
This issue of MetalForming includes a special section featuring retrospectives and inter- views regarding PMA’s past and the many challenges the metalforming industry has faced over the years. At its founding, PMA exclusively focused on the war effort. This was a time when the manufacturing might of the metalforming industry was essential in the global battle for the future. In the early ’70s, the establishment of OSHA presented huge industry challenges, around which PMA rallied.
From the mid-1980s through the ’90s, PMA launched several new initiatives in response to strong economic growth, expansion of the service sector and emergence of new technologies. The industry also was forced to react to globalism and new career options that helped cre- ate a shortage of skilled workers, which led PMA to create a new set of industry benchmark- ing and performance measures; a major annual exhibition; robust new training materials; and countless technical seminars. The PMA Educational Foundation was established to develop long-term strategies to highlight metalforming careers. And, PMA helped establish the National Institute for Metalworking Skills.
A decade ago, PMA’s focus shifted abruptly to respond to a severe disruption in the mar- ketplace for flat-rolled steel. This disruption resulted from the economics of a changing steel industry, globalization and imposition of the 201 steel tariff.
Looking forward, PMA will continue to respond to changes in the metalforming industry, guided by its manufacturing and associate member companies through their engagement on our board of directors, in our districts and divisions and on our numerous committees. And, PMA will continue to lead the way in Washington, D.C., serving as manufacturing’s voice at the table through our OneVoice partnership with the National Tooling & Machining Association.
PMA is fortunate to have smart, committed industry leaders actively engaged in helping the metalforming industry respond to the myriad challenges that face our industry. Such com- mitment will surely help to ensure a vital metalforming industry well into the future.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those who have offered their support to this special 70th anniversary issue of MetalForming. Also, my deepest personal thanks go out to our volunteer leadership and to the many industry volunteers actively engaged in PMA.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to our outstanding and dedicated staff, for their hard work and commitment to PMA and to the metalforming industry.
PMA President
wgaskin@pma.org
4 MetalForming/July 2012
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Serving those who create precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes.
© 2012 by PMA Services Inc. 6363 Oak Tree Blvd. Independence, OH 44131 216/901-8800 | fax: 216/901-9669 www.metalformingmagazine.com metalforming@pma.org
PMA President | William E. Gaskin, CAE wgaskin@pma.org
Publisher | Andrew Flando aflando@pma.org
Editor | Brad F. Kuvin bkuvin@pma.org
Editorial Manager | Marlene F. O’Brien mobrien@pma.org
Art Director | Donna M. D’Amico ddamico@pma.org
Production Manager | Susan Cubranich scubranich@pma.org
Circulation Manager | Barbara Tillett btillett@pma.org
Sales Staff
MI, OH, Western NY, Western PA, Canada, International Andrew Flando, Publisher
6363 Oak Tree Blvd. Independence, OH 44131
Ph: 216/901-8800 | Fx: 216/901-9669 aflando@pma.org
North Central, California
Ryan King
1900 North Hudson #D Chicago, IL 60614
Ph: 773/414-9292 | Fx: 312/867-1872 rking@rkmediaadv.com
New England, Eastern NY, Eastern PA Rick Edman
576 Post Rd.
Darien, CT 06820
Ph: 203/656-1000 | Fx: 203/656-1007 Rick_Edman@edmancompany.com
South Atlantic, South Central Bob West
855 Georgian Hills Dr. Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Ph: 678/377-5749 | Fx: 678/377-9098 MetalForm_bobwest@msn.com
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited.
Use smart phone to go to www.metalformingmagazine.com