2021 Directory

Technical Committees The ten BFPA and BFPDA technical committees, under the remit of the BSI, comprise committed Association members who work tirelessly and voluntarily on behalf of all members, drawing on their own views and industry knowledge to benefit the fluid power industry. Working together, these individuals have helped frame European legislation designed to harmonise and raise standards, safety and professionalism. In the same way the economic and political landscape changes, so do sitting members of the committees’ board, ensuring fresh insight and ideas as to how to continually improve the service to members and for the wider industry. Two recent representatives from member companies who have joined the committees’ board are Rebecca Galley, Managing Director of hose and fittings services and solutions provider Hydroscand UK, and Mike Abbott, National Sales Manager of Prevost UK, the UK distributor for Prevost’s compressed air products. As a newcomer to the industry, joining Hydroscand UK in mid-2019 and the Association board later that year, Galley has spent the past few months applying her experience in commercial management, sales and operations to the running of Hydroscand as well as immersing herself in the intensive study of all things fluid power. In this regard, Galley comments that being actively involved as a member of the Association has given her the opportunity to acquire a solid understanding of the industry within a relatively short timeframe. “Since joining the board, I have become even more aware of the diverse range of activities in which the Association is involved, all with a view to providing the best possible service and support to its members,” she says. Deeper understanding As a relative newcomer to the industry, Galley explains that she has found the BFPA’s market forecasting, trends and statistics service very helpful in acquiring a deeper understanding of what makes the industry tick. “Sarah Gardner does great work compiling contributions from BFPA members to provide a valuable overview of the market,” she says. “This, and the annual economic review help members understand the market landscape more thoroughly.” However, Galley adds that she would like to see more members participating in the survey. “If this were the case, then the statistical information available to all members would be even more accurate. This is something I am keen to progress during committee meetings.” Giving something back Mike Abbott’s involvement with the Association board initially followed from a conversation he had with Nigel Thomason from Industrial Ancillaries, who is also the Chairman of the BFPDA. “Nigel told me becoming a member of the board was a golden opportunity to have a better understanding of current discussions and activities within our industry,” Abbott explains. “I also considered that if I became a member of the Board it would provide me with the opportunity to give something back in terms of my own experience and views regarding how to improve certain aspects of the industry and the Association’s involvement within it.” It can come as little surprise that many discussions at BFPA committee meetings are currently Brexit-oriented, particularly concerning logistical issues and the movement of products. “A lot of the supply chain involves goods coming into the UK from Europe because there’s very Views from the boardroom 56 www.bfpa.co.uk The BFPA Yearbook spoke with two recently appointed members of the Association Board - Rebecca Galley, Managing Director, Hydroscand UK, and Mike Abbott, National Sales Manager, Prevost UK – about their views on the fluid power marketplace and what changes they would like to see for the betterment of members and our industry in general.