EASA show attracts new vendors

The annual general meeting of the Ontario Chapter of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA), which took place in Toronto in January, featured an annual tabletop trade show boasting new vendors, a new pump course presented by EASA International’s pump specialist, Gene Vogel, a bearing seminar by Max Tapscot of Nachi USA, and an update on the association’s status by international chairman Kevin Toor.

During his presentation, Toor discussed the 2012 EASA theme of ‘Moving Industry Forward’. “It really sums up the role we play in the productive economies throughout the world,” he said. “We are the backbone of industry. We are the unsung heroes who keep motors and other infrastructure components in working order. Our strength is in our common association and mutually beneficial relationships we have built through our EASA membership.”

Toor continued by telling stories of members who were direct competitors working together or helping one another in times of need.

Discussing the membership, he said EASA has almost 2,000 active member companies, and the goal is to grow that number, despite a recent trend among industry associations to lose members.

“Another important item is the development of a new strategic plan based on our recent member needs assessment survey,” said Toor. As well, he discussed EASA International’s efforts in dealing with government regulations, its representation on various standards-making committees, and its efforts to boost the reputation of members as solution-providers in the electromechanical sales and service industry.

He noted that EASA headquarters handles more than 20,000 technical inquiries from members each year, and reminded the audience that several technical experts are on hand to help them, including pump and vibration specialist Gene Vogel, and motor experts Tom Bishop, Chuck Yung and Jim Bryan. Also, EASA’s live training webinars have proven “exceptionally successful,” he said.

Toor encouraged members to follow EASA on its website (www.easa.com) as well as on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as the association has embraced these social media platforms.

Toor concluded by reminding members of EASA International’s convention, taking place in Nashville, TN, June 24-26, 2012.