PTDA Canadian Conference for PT/MC industry

Register now for the 14th annual PTDA Canadian Conference, to be held June 4 and 5 at the Four Seasons Vancouver.

Participants will get $50 off their registration fee until May 1.

The event—specifically designed for those who sell and manufacture power-transmission and motion-control products in Canada— will give members of the Canadian industry a chance to network, attend educational sessions, and join a manufacturer industry showcase.

The event starts with a harbor cruise and golf outing for networking with channel partners. Then PTDA manufacturer members will hold scheduled meetings for business. In addition to high-profile Canadian business topics, participants get entertainment and fun. Canadian comedian Arthur Black will entertain at the closing event.

In 2014, more than 200 distributors and manufacturers attended the PTDA Canadian Conference. For more information, visit ptda.org/CanadianConference and PTDA’s LinkedIn page.

$188,000 AND COUNTING TO RECRUIT FUTURE EMPLOYEES

Power-transmission and motion-control components keep industry moving, but next-generation employees don’t know of the industry’s rewarding careers. To address the problem, an Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) initiative—founded and largely funded by the PTDA Foundation—is taking steps to change that.

To benefit the ICP, 63 organizations and individuals have funded a PTDA Foundation Vanguard Campaign with $188,000 for 2015 so far. The money will help the ICP reach the future workforce through career fairs, job fairs, technical tradeshows, social-media channels and idcareers.org. The goal is to raise $345,000 for these outreach efforts. Pledge at industrialcareerspathway.org/Support.

PTDA FOUNDATION ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS OF LEADING INDUSTRY WOMEN

Nominations for this year’s Wendy B. McDonald award are now being accepted through May 31. The award, established by the PTDA Foundation, honors one woman who has established herself as a critical contributor to her company’s success and has effected positive change within the power transmission/motion control industry. Nominees must be female and employed by a PTDA member company within the calendar year for which the nomination is being made; they must exemplify leadership and integrity in all business relationships. Get the nomination form at ptda.org/WBMcDonaldAward.

PT/MC INDUSTRY ANTICIPATES CONTINUED GROWTH IN 2015

The PTDA Business Index for the fourth quarter of 2014 indicates slowing but positive growth. However, manufacturers reported more positive growth in new orders, employment, supplier deliveries and inventories for Q4 2014 than distributors. The overall reading of 66.5 was slightly lower than the previous quarter’s reading of 67.5. Note: The index reading indicates the rate of change compared with the previous period. For example, a reading of 50 indicates no change from the prior period; readings above 50 indicate growth and readings below 50 indicate contraction. Get the most recent report at ptda.org/index.

POWER TRANSMISSION HANDBOOK NOW IN KINDLE AND APPLE EBOOK FORMATS

The PTDA Power Transmission Handbook eBook is now for sale in the PTDA Store. The content is adapted from the recently released fifth edition of the Power Transmission Handbook. The book has been widely adopted by industry community colleges and technical and trade schools. The Handbook eBook is currently available in both Apple and Kindle formats as searchable, bookmark-able, transportable content. About the Power Transmission Handbook: First published in 1969 and recently updated, PTDA’s Power Transmission Handbook is a comprehensive primer on the products, technology and concepts that move industry. The publication is formatted for ease of reading and features nearly 400 pages of vetted content, graphics and application examples.

Chapter highlights

• Adjustable Speed Drives: covers new speed-control technologies and the benefits they provide (including higher performance, less maintenance and energy efficiency boosts)

• Bearings: includes a new section on linear bearings.

• Clutches & Brakes: reflects increased market activity in the C-face clutches and brakes; recent developments pneumatic actuation; and more information on common applications and usage.

• Controls & Sensors: includes information on the new standards developed to help speed the development and implementation of these controls.

• Conveyors & Components: introduces a new special unit handling section; additional content on plastic belts/chains in food and beverage applications with graphic support; and expanded content in the bucket elevator section.

• Linear Motion: includes a new section covering electromechanical, stage, slide and table actuators.

• Motors: updated to include the new U.S. electric motor regulation mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act.

PTDA WELCOMES NEW DISTRIBUTOR MEMBER

Pennsylvania-based IaMotion, a distributor of variable-speed drives, controls and sensors, motors, gearing, fluid-power products and linear-motion components, recently joined the PTDA.

“We decided to affiliate ourselves with PTDA to enhance our business relationships, acquire tools to make informed decisions, and socialize with other members and family companies that make up our industry,” said Jeffrey Ianno, president of IaMotion.