EoW September 2009

corporatenews

Serving the industry for 40 years – IWMA The International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) celebrates its 40 th anniversary in 2010, coinciding with the wire Düsseldorf exhibition, and will mark this milestone in a number of ways. Already member organisations are taking advantage of a special offer of two years’ membership for the price of one, when renewing during 2009. The IWMA began in 1970 when the four founders Messrs J Buckley, J Hogg, W Merchant and R Molyneux saw the need to provide an organisation that would specifically represent the interests of those companies concerned with the production and processing machinery for wires, cables and wire products.

Mindful of the need to attract young engineers to the wire and cable industry and to improve technical standards, the IWMA registered an Educational Trust Fund in 1987 to sponsor educational and research projects related to the industries represented by the membership. This became known as the “Walter Niehoff Scholarship” in recognition of the past IWMA president. Subsequently, the Educational Trust introduced what is now known as the “John C Hogg Travel Award”, named in memory of the Association’s late Secretary General and Founder, which enables trainees from all parts of the world to attend the biggest and most important industry trade fair in Düsseldorf. More recently the IWMA has supported and sponsored other exhibitions in emerging or developing markets, notably wire Russia, wire China, Metaltech in Brazil, Tekno in Dubai and Wire & Cable India as well as encouraging the moving of wire Singapore to Bangkok in its new designation as wire Southeast Asia. The global market is fully reflected in the scope of the IWMA’s corporate membership – now nearly three hundred organisations from more than fifty countries and still growing. International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) – UK

In its formative years of 1971-1974 the association, then known as the “Wire Machinery Association”, embarked on a recruitment campaign which gained members in both the UK and overseas. During this period a series of technical conferences were also held. By 1975 the worldwide corporate membership totalled sixty-six, and a year later the organisation was renamed the International Wire & Machinery Association. By the end of the 1970s the IWMA had also instigated the birth of the International Tube Association, which remains a sister organisation to this day. During the 1980s the IWMA played key roles in the establishing and sponsoring of major international exhibitions such as Interwire, wire Düsseldorf and wire Singapore. A number of major technical conferences were organised by the IWMA during this decade and this activity continues right up to the present day. By the time of the forthcoming Istanbul Cable & Wire ‘09 technical conference in November this year the IWMA will have organised no fewer than forty-five such events since its foundation.

New members who apply to join during 2009 can also enjoy the two years’ membership anniversary offer. Currently in preparation for publication early next year is a commemorative booklet, recording the history of the IWMA and the member organisations and individuals who have made the association what it is today. Important social and networking events will take place during 2010 to celebrate the anniversary, with the main focus on a prestigious gala dinner in Düsseldorf on Tuesday 13 th April during wire Düsseldorf 2010. Many special guests will be invited, including a number who have played important roles in the history of the IWMA. Many member companies will be attending wire Düsseldorf, but for those on the other side of the world there will be a special reception on Thursday 23 rd September 2010 at the IWMA booth during the wire China 2010 exhibition. More details of this special anniversary event in China will be posted on the IWMA website, www.iwma.org

Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : info@iwma.org Website : www.iwma.org

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EuroWire – September 2009