PERSPECTIVES
Valve
MAGAZINE
What Lies Ahead Is
Anyone’s Guess
EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD
Richard D. Oaks
AUMA AC TUATORS, INC.
Joe Steinke
CCI
Mike Hendrick
CONVAL, INC.
John Wells
EMERSON PROCESS
MANAGEMENT
Ed Holtgraver
QTRCO, INC.
Christopher Warnett
ROTORK CONTROLS, INC.
Dan Velan
VELAN VALVE
Our industry experienced continued growth from the turn of the century through 2008. Then, like most sectors of the manufacturing world, 2009 saw a downturn. Unfortunately,
my crystal ball might as well be in the repair shop right now because it is difficult for anyone
to predict what 2010 will bring for our industry. Too many unique things have happened with
the economy in the last few years to be able to accurately peek into the future. In fact,
discussions with members trying to look at what might happen leads in all directions—from
continued downturn to upward momentum.
One reality you can rely on, however, is that regardless of which way we’re headed, the Valve
Manufacturers Association will continue to offer ongoing resources in 2010 as well as bring
new and enhanced programs. Here’s a sample:
VALVE MAGAZINE (ISSN No. 1057-
2813) is the official magazine of the
Valve Manufacturers Association of
America (VMA) and is published quarterly by VMA, located at 1050 17th
Street NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC
20036-5521; 202.331.8105; Fax:
202.296.0378.
Advertising queries: 540.374.9100.
Periodicals postage paid at Washington,
D. C., and at additional mailing offices.
POS TMASTER: Send address changes
to VALVE MAGAZINE, P. O. Box 1673
Williamsport, PA 17703-1673.
Subscriptions are free to qualified
readers in the United States and Canada;
$40 per year to unqualified readers in the
United States and Canada; $60 per year
for all subscribers outside the United
States and Canada. Statements of fact
and opinion made are the responsibility
of the authors alone and do not necessarily imply endorsement or agreement on
the part of the officers or membership
of VMA. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of VMA.
; Meetings and Seminars—We continue to provide the excellent programming members
have become accustomed to in the past. These programs cover all professionals within our
membership including CEOs, engineers, operations, marketing and CFOs, and they include
our Technical Seminar, which is open to everyone in the industry.
; Education & Training—The Board-approved initiative on education and training begun
last year will continue into 2010. In 2009, we published a compilation of Back-to-Basics
articles from this magazine, as well as provided a highly successful seminar where
attendance exceeded all expectations. New products planned for 2010 include additional
article compilations and online education, along with two more Valve Basics seminars and
exhibitions.
; Industry Data—We continue to provide timely economic data on the industry as well as a
forecast for the year. We monitor international industry data and share pertinent statistics
with our members and magazine readers.
; Government Relations Activity—Through our Government Affairs activities and our Legal
Counsel, we keep members up to date on the issues of importance to our industry, as well
as keep in touch with our government and our new Administration. We will continue to
keep you abreast through this magazine and our website.
; Communications—Updating and upgrading our websites— VMA.org and
ValveMagazine.com—will continue into 2010. Those sites provide links to member
companies, supplier members and VRC members, along with industry news and articles.
Going forward, new sections and columns are being introduced in Valve Magazine.
; International Activities—VMA continues to look into opportunities that spring from
international meetings and trade shows. We will exhibit at the Valve World Show in
Dusseldorf, Germany in December, and we will participate in the CEIR Congress in
Portugal in June.
© Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
We are only as strong, however, as our members make us. As always, VMA is open to any
suggestions for activities and better ways to communicate. Please feel free to contact me
directly at wsandler@vma.org. VM
Bill Sandler
President
Valve Manufacturers Association of America
