Bearing specialists learn about clean energy

Glen Ellyn, IL — At its 2011 Annual Convention, held April 29-May 3, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Lost Pines, TX, clean energy specialist Dr. Michael Webber from the University of Texas shared his expertise on prospects for clean energy manufacturing to help attendees identify critical future markets.

Webber joined two other keynote speakers in a business program that marked BSA’s 45th anniversary of bringing together the top-level executives of what is now a $6.3-billion North American bearing industry. Webber said that although the U.S. made up only 3% of the world’s population, it consumed 20% of the world’s energy. He discussed a wide variety of energy sources and their future potential, concluding, “I’m pretty excited about natural gas.”

Worldwide, the bearing market is estimated to be worth $50.5 billion and is expected to expand by 50% over the next five years, said Jeff Manzagol of Kaydon/Cooper Bearings. He noted that in North America, sales were up 15% in 2010 over 2009.

Connie Podesta, speaker, author, organizational therapist, human resource professional and expert in the psychology of human behaviour, gave an enthusiastic presentation called ‘Growing With People’.

Using interactive exercises and her high-energy personality, Podesta discussed relationships, personality types, influence, life balance and more. She made delegates guess what category they thought they were – squares, triangles, circles or squiggles — then explained the characteristics of each. The process is 96% accurate, she said.

In a departure from its previous conferences, BSA invited networking and relationship-building expert Andy Andrews to help set the tone for its Conference Table Session. Andrews addressed attendees and spouses in a breakfast meeting before the opening of the association’s traditional session.

Andrews is an internationally known speaker and novelist whose combined works have sold millions of copies worldwide. His message to BSA focused on the importance of networking and relationship building between channel partners in today’s ever-changing marketplace.

BSA elected the following slate of officers for 2011-2012: president, James Webster, DXP Enterprises; first vice-president, Linda Miller, Bearings & Drives Inc.; second vice-president, Jack Simpson, Applied Industrial Technologies; treasurer, Brian Negri, Jamaica Bearings Co. Inc.; and chairman of the board, Ellen Holladay, Motion Industries Inc.

The conference attracted 24 first-timers among the 66 distributor and 93 manufacturer delegates. In addition, 92 spouses and companions were in attendance. The associations’ next convention takes place April 27-May 2, 2012, in Bonita Springs, FL.

BSA is an international service and educational organization representing a total of almost 100 companies distributing factory-warranted ball-, roller- and anti-friction bearings, and invited manufacturers of bearings and related products. For more information, visit the BSA website at www.bsahome.org. MRO