National Fluid Power Centre's free-to-attend Industry Open Day, held on 19 February, proved again to be a major success, with over 200 visitors attending the centre. The annual event is growing each year and is proving to be an ideal environment both from an educational and networking perspective for all manufacturers/OEMs, distributors and end users of fluid power and control and automation equipment. Some 25 major fluid power companies exhibited on the day. These included: Ashton Seals, Steve Skinner Presentations, European Filter Solutions, MecWash, Parker Hannifin, Shell (UK), Sun Hydraulics, Moog , Lubrizol, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (Simrit), MP Filtri (UK) Yuken Europe, Webtec, Hydac Technology Ltd., Husco International, Poclain Hydraulics, Rotary Power, Asco Numatics Ltd, Brevini Power Transmissions, DCA, Bosch Rexroth, Star Hydraulics, Sunfab(UK) Ltd., JCB, Hypro-Filtration, Global Hydraulic Services, Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies Ltd, Balluff, Stauff UK, NN Create Ltd., and the NFPC. The event also provided an ideal opportunity for college and university students to discuss career opportunities within the fluid power sector. In addition, visitors were able to see first-hand the NFPC's state-of-the-art training facilities and talk with the Centre's training engineers. Technical lectures A number of technical lectures were presented by key speakers from Hydac Technology, Parker Hannifin, Moog, Sun Hydraulics, Lubrizol and Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Simirit. At any one time over 120 visitors attended these lectures. The technical lectures given on the day were: •\t'Hydraulic Hose Assemblies', by Philip Ingate of Parker Hannifin. •\t'Innovative Power Pack Design', by Toby Daley of Hydac Technology. •\t'Sub-miniture Hydraulic Components for Motorsport', by Martin Jones of Moog. •\t'The Importance of High Quality Hydraulic Oils', by Chris Lyons of Lubrizol. •\t'Controlling Energy Losses', by Paul Haddon of Sun Hydraulics. •\t'Sealing System requirements and innovations', by Steve Cowell of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Simirit. All of the technical lectures are being made available on the NFPC's website www.nfpc.co.uk. John Savage, Director of the NFPC, commented: "Once again, the Open Day proved to be an outstanding attraction for those involved in fluid power and control at every level or those considering a career in this vital sector of engineering. Indeed, a number of people who attended the Open Day have already booked places on our training courses." Meeting today's industry needs He continued: "Like every other Open Day we have held at the NFPC there are people who attend on a regular basis, however it was good to see there was also a large majority of people that hadn't been here before. This is encouraging because the workforce is changing and it's always a pleasure to welcome younger people to NFPC events. It's also encouraging to see many of them sit on our advisory committees to ensure we continue to provide the type of courses and services that today's industry needs. We are now already gearing up for next Open Day, which will be held on 18 February 2015."