IIW History 1990-2015

One of Eaton’s principal concerns at that time was that several Member Countries’ fees had increased significantly in recent years. This had arisen not only due to planned revenue requirements but was also the result of currency changes in many countries. Traditionally the method of determining fees was based on the amount of direct steel consumption in each Member Country. Eaton considered that this method was problematic because of the high proportionate values for some countries which had the potential to affect future membership subscriptions. 4 Subsequent changes to the fee structure failed to arrest this continuing problem and, at the time of the 1995 budget mentioned previously, nine Member Countries were substantially in arrears. Following Costa completing his term as Treasurer, Mr Bevan Braithwaite (UK) accepted the offer to take over as the new Treasurer in September 1996. In the interim, Bramat had become increasingly concerned at the escalating costs of restructuring and had decided to suspend payments to TWI for the salary of Hicks, in consideration of the fact that he was also being remunerated by the Institut de Soudure. 5 This

issue was taken up by Braithwaite at his first meeting as IIW Treasurer and he indicated that the principle of having these costs reimbursed was part of the original offer made by TWI when bidding for the single IIW Secretariat. He made it clear that the costs corresponded to what had being paid to the former IIW Secretary General for a contract that had been already approved and could not be breached, at least until well after the Institut de Soudure took over the responsibility for the IIW Secretariat. 6 After detailed discussion it was agreed that TWI should be reimbursed for their costs resulting from the merging of the two Secretariats.

Bevan Braithwaite

Braithwaite, characteristically was a down-to-earth sort of person and had a deep interest in the restoration of old steam engines, including the renowned Flying Scotsman , a model of which had a significant place in his office at TWI. He was also a qualified Class 1 welder and a world authority on fatigue strength of structures. 7 He was an astute observer and was quick to express himself directly on occasions. When Bramat explained why it was not possible to present a financial statement for the year 1996 he was far from impressed. The reasons offered for this, as Bramat explained, were numerous including the change- over from the previous bookkeeping system, issues regarding French law, devaluation of the

THE NEW MILLENNIUM