BFPA Directory 2019

The Ex-President memoirs I joined the Fluid Power industry and the BFPA in 1987, retiring from both in 2015. During that time change was the only constant in all aspect of the industry and the association. I was particularly proud to have served as President from 2010 to 2013 in addition to chairing a number of other groups during my 28 years contributing to the development and direction of the Association. During my time with the BFPA, the changes that have occurred within the fluid power industry have been very significant led mainly by technological advancement coupled with manufacturing and quality improvement but not losing sight of industry consolidation and globalisation. Through all these developments it has been fundamental to the success of the industry that the BPFA has been able to grow and develop in line with and support to the industry. The collegiate nature and close working relationship of members and staff have made this possible. When you have members that range from the very large global organisations to small national businesses it is important to acknowledge that while they maybe in competition with each other, at the same time they have a strong common bond and a common interest in the strength of the fluid power industry. Thus, within the Association it was always important to focus on the best interests of the industry as a whole rather than those of individual member companies. Developing tomorrows engineers A fundamental concern throughout industry and the fluid power industry is no different, is the importance of developing tomorrows engineers and leaders. A vital element of the Associations work therefore has been the development of training programmes in support of this need. In parallel, with the increasing attention that health and safety in the workplace has gained The BFPA has stepped up and responded, developing skills credentials necessary for engineers and technicians operating within the industry. I was keen to champion the training courses the Association offered and was planning to offer going forward. Training offers multifaceted benefits in that the courses provide an invaluable skills and hands-on experience for personnel tasked with important practical or managerial tasks involving safety critical equipment. In addition, these programmes provide the BFPA with important brand-image as well as a growing income stream. Both as President and as a member of the board, I enjoyed engaging with members, customers and industry leaders on their companies’ plans for people development and training. After all, the only way our industry can continue to thrive is by nurturing and growing a solid foundation of new talent. Indeed, young, talented and enthusiastic people with a commitment to dedicate their lives to a career in fluid power and wider engineering disciplines is critical not just for our own industry but also for the general health of the UK economy. With this in mind, I believe one of the keys to ensuring the BFPA is fit for the future is to ensure it continues to provide creative support for the industry that it represents. Keeping pace with technological developments I have always been very keen to keep pace with technological developments. Because of the major impact these developments continue to have on our own industry and marketplace, it is important for the Association to keep up to speed with and support these developments. The electro- mechanical innovations stretching back some years now have already become well- entrenched and are deriving major benefits for end users and OEMS. Comparatively newer technologies and concepts may not have reached comparable levels of uptake, but while the ideals of, for example, Industry 4.0 might be at a fairly early stage in terms of reaching their true potential a number of BFPA member companies are at the forefront of these developments and are in the ideal position to guide the Association in the right direction. This is certainly the future and we need to have our finger firmly on the pulse. While this whole issue surrounding state- of-the-art technology and its implications for our industry is of fundamental importance, this is another sound reason to welcome any opportunity to bring more young talent into the business; people who are already IT literate and ready for the challenges and opportunities posed by today’s digital landscape. I also believe that in terms of training standards, the BFPA has done an excellent job – often under quite difficult circumstances. The Association has helped set up and contribute to the establishment of standards, not just across the UK but also in Europe and beyond. In particular, the Association’s Yvonne Pearman has done a sterling job in this respect. Quite how the Association’s continuing dialogue with counterparts in Europe will pan out over the coming months and years with the changes taking place is unclear. However I’m sure the industry leaders will find a way to continue to work across national boundaries. I’m confident the BFPA will continue to support the changing industry it is part of and strive to develop those all-important international links, as always, exciting times. Supporting the changing industry 46 www.bfpa.co.uk By Nigel Judd.