Focus on Adding Value to Our Businesses and Our Lives

In addition to current HI members and associate members, registration is open to prospective members including all manufacturers of pumps or pumping systems in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, members of EUROPUMP, and to suppliers of any of the following: bearings; component parts (e.g. foundries); couplings; gauges, control instruments; drivers; motors/engines; seals and sealing systems; software (pump specific). Those eligible for HI membership are encouraged to attend on a one-time basis to learn about the Institute as a way to evaluate membership for 2005.

“The theme of this year’s meeting is ‘adding value to our businesses and our lives.’ explained Robert Asdal, Executive Director of HI. Participants will learn about HI’s new Market Transformation initiative, and why their companies should become charter partners of the “Pump Systems Matter” program. They will also receive an update on the development of electronic data exchange software for the pumping industry as well as details about new econometric reports scheduled for publication in 2005. “Pump industry executives, marketing and technical professionals and other participants will have the chance to meet with peers from pump manufacturing and supplier companies throughout North America and Europe,” added Asdal.

“Technical meetings also are an integral part of the program, so we encourage members to bring staff who have not previously been involved in the standards-writing and technical leadership of the Institute. During the meeting, a delegation of EUROPUMP executives will be sharing information on EUROPUMP technical issues, CEN and ISO standards writing, statistics and regulatory issues,” said Asdal.

More than 30 technical and managerial committees are scheduled to meet and further the update process HI standards, educational documents and various projects and initiatives.

Viscosity Correction, Slurry Pump, Controlled Volume Metering Pump, and Pump Piping committees will finalize their standards, which are scheduled to be published in early 2005.

Meeting highlights also include a CEO breakfast and roundtable, where participating CEOs discuss topics of common interest. The exclusive, by-invitation only, CEO roundtable program is one of the most popular components of the Institute’s meetings with between 45-50 chief executive officers participating. During this event, Washington DC attorney Eric McClafferty will address export controls on pumps and other fluid handling equipment. CEOs will also benefit from a workshop with guest speaker Kevin Dugan on “Building Lean Value Streams.” Kevin is a pioneer in implementing “lean” concepts in a high mix environment. HI economist, Alan Beaulieu, will be addressing “The 2005 US and Global Economy- Insights Into What’s Ahead.” CEOs will also be participating in break-out discussion groups on a variety of topics of management interest.

In addition, an officer installation dinner and awards program will recognize the contributions of HI members. Throughout the event, attendees and their guests are invited to participate in a number of recreational activities including golf and various tours. A new feature this year is a special interest activities program for spouses and guests. The meeting will culminate with the annual HI Golf Tournament, reception, dinner and awards.

Founded in 1917, the Hydraulic Institute is the largest association of pump producers in North America, serving member companies and pump users by providing product standards and forums for the exchange of industry information.

For meeting registration information members and eligible prospective members should visit the “members” section of www.pumps.org. To learn more about membership in the Hydraulic Institute, prospective members are invited to call HI Executive Director Bob Asdal at ++1 (973) 267-9700 x13. Information on the Hydraulic Institute, its services, standards, publications and meetings, can be found at www.pumps.org and www.pumplearning.org. Requests may also be faxed to ++1 (973) 267-9055 or mailed to 9 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA.