The importance of BFPA’s Technical Standards Committees

22 September, 2016

One of the main aims of BFPA is to create, raise and maintain standards in the fluid power industry and our technical committees play a key role in framing worldwide best practice through the development of national, European and international standards. Our 10 technical and standards development committees drive standards in the industry forward. These committees are made up of BFPA members who are experts in their particular field who work voluntarily – on behalf of all of our members, using their expertise and experience to benefit the industry. In fact, BFPA holds the external secretariat (expertly managed by the BFPA’s Standards Project Manager Yvonne Pearman) on behalf of the BSI for 500 of the BSI’s 7000 standards, and currently around 100 committees are structured to mirror that of the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

BFPA Membership

18 August, 2016

Membership of BFPA gives you and your organisation access to a wide range of valuable services and a host of useful information. We are committed to education and our training is second to none. By joining BFPA, you are increasing the profile of this vital UK industry while helping to raise standards and secure its future.

BFPA News

10 June, 2016

New Members

BFPA’s Brexit poll

10 June, 2016

In April BFPA and BFPDA members were asked for their company’s view on whether the UK should remain a member of the EU or leave. In this poll, 43 per cent reported that their company wished to remain a member of the EU and 12 per cent stated their company wished to leave the EU. However a very high proportion, 45 per cent, reported they did not know what their company’s position was.

BFPA board matters

10 June, 2016

On 6 May 2016, Steve Bangs of SMC Pneumatics UK Ltd. was presented with a plaque in recognition of his 15 years’ service on the BFPA Board. Steve was president between 2005 and 2007, and made a significant contribution throughout the 15 years he was a board member. BFPA’s thanks and best wishes for the future go to Steve on his retirement from the board this year.

BFPA statistics overview

10 June, 2016

The BFPA’s new ‘Statistics’ overview summarises the statistical work offered by the Association to its members. Sarah Gardner, BFPA’s market and statistics manager is responsible for carrying out a wide range of surveys of throughout the year covering hydraulics, pneumatics and fluid power distribution, and increasingly other industry-related motion control products.

BFPA News

29 April, 2016

Aventics UK has announced the appointment of Brian Hurley as general manager, and the company’s relocation to a new facility in Milton Keynes. Brian has held a number of senior leadership positions for more than 14 years in the fluid power industry. The new address for Aventics UK is: Unit C6, Sunningdale House, Caldecotte Lake Business Park, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK7 8LF.

EU In/Out debate at this year’s BFPA Annual General Meeting

29 April, 2016

This years’ BFPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 11 May will be followed by a debate allowing members and guests the chance to put questions to a panel of experts from both sides of the debate including the CBI, the Institute of Directors, the Vote Leave Campaign (Business for Britain) and Chatham House – the Royal Institute of International Affairs. The event will take place on Wednesday 11 May 2016 at the National Football Centre in Burton-upon-Trent and will include lunch and an optional tour of the football centre. Please call the BFPA on 01608 647900 or Email Janet Dixon janet@bfpa.co.uk to reserve your place.

Successful Industry Awards Dinner

29 April, 2016

At the inaugural Motion Control Awards Dinner held on 12 April during FP&S in Birmingham, several of the winners were members of BFPA and BFPDA. BFPDA member Brammer UK Ltd. won Distributor of the Year, the award for Contribution to Skills and Training went to The JCB Academy and Parker Hannifin Ltd., and BFPDA member Derek Lane and Company Ltd.’s William Broome won Young Motion Control Engineer of the year. A special lifetime contribution award was also presented to John Savage of the NFPC Ltd. the BFPA would like to congratulate these and all the other winners on the night, the other finalists and sponsors who all contributed to an extremely successful and enjoyable evening. The Association hopes this will become an annual event for the industry.

New BFPA overviews

29 April, 2016

Following the release of our latest brochure, we are now pleased to announce the completion of a series of eight more detailed overviews on the core services offered by the BFPA. The overviews will be available as downloads from our website and aim to summarise the work of the BFPA.

BFPA News - New Members - Diary Dates

01 April, 2016

Bachy Soletanche Ltd. has become BFPA’s latest Education and Training member. Bachy Soletanche specialises in modern geotechnics and foundation engineering; including LDA piling (large diameter bored), CFA piling (continuous flight auger), restricted access mini-piling, diaphragm walls, tunnelling and grouting, as well as engineering that safeguards the environment.

BFPA – A source of technical expertise and expert witnesses

01 April, 2016

Among the many every day devices where hydraulic and pneumatic systems are used are bin lorries, lifts in shopping centres, road sweeping machines, vehicles and fork lift trucks. As in any other industry, the failure or misuse of machinery which use fluid power systems can have potentially severe safety and legal implications for those companies involved.

New BFPA brochure

01 April, 2016

The BFPA’s new brochure has now been printed, and a PDF version can be downloaded from the Association’s website: www.bfpa.co.uk. If you would like to receive a printed copy, please contact the BFPA at the BFPA or pick one up from the Association when you visit its stand at the forthcoming Fluid Power & Systems Show at the NEC in Hall 3A, Stand AF430 from 12 to 14 April 2016.

Trade exhibitions: ‘People still buy from people’

25 February, 2016

BFPA’s CEO Chris Buxton highlights the importance of visiting or showing at trade exhibitions in the modern business environment.

The offshore crisis is beginning to bite

01 December, 2015

By Chris Buxton, director and CEO, the BFPA.