EPTDA’s 2010 convention in Malta breaks attendance records

Brussels, Belgium -EPTDA (the European Power Transmission Distributors Association), an association for the industrial distribution channel in Europe, has hosted another successful industry summit. The event was held in Malta, and drew over 280 participants from around the world.

Among the delegates were 63 first-timers, nine non-member companies and 30 international guests from the US, Canada, South Africa, Egypt, Japan and other countries.

EPTDA’s MD-IDEX (Manufacturer Distributor Idea Exchange) sessions facilitated over 750 individual meetings between manufacturers and distributors, the highest ever in its history.

The association also hosted its first ever Next Generation event at the Annual Convention, welcoming more than 40 young business potentials and aiming to attract future talent to invest, engage and get involved in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry.

“We are extremely proud of the success of our association and the Annual Convention in Malta,” said EPTDA’s newly elected president, David Harrow, managing director of Godiva Bearings in the United Kingdom. “The positive energy amongst the members, a strong belief in the benefits that we offer to them, and growing interest from other industry leaders to join us, signals that we are moving ahead on the road to recovery, and helping PT/MC leaders to grow profitably.”

EPTDA’s 2010 Annual Convention was themed ‘Our Future’, and featured prominent strategic thinkers and entrepreneurs, including Daniel Burrus and renowned economist Alan Beaulieu, who shared the insights on lessons learned in the past, and an outlook for the future.

While Burrus focused on the impact of technological development on the industry, Beaulieu (who is known for a magical 96% accuracy in economic forecasting) showed the audience which markets to watch, markets to avoid, where to invest, which industries to move into, and more. Supplementing this futuristic outlook, retail expert Prof. Dr. Joachim Zentes emphasized the role of innovation as the key to success from both the macro-and micro-economic perspectives.

One of the most successful highlights of this year’s convention were the company visits organized in co-operation with Malta Enterprise. The executive chairman of Malta Enterprise, Alan Camilleri, was a guest of honour at the annual business meeting and welcomed participants to explore the trade and economic strengths of Malta, a small but promising business hub that is already home to several multinational enterprises, such as Lufthansa Technik Malta Ltd., Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Methode Electronics, Hetronic Malta, Vodafone, and others.

“Our aim is to add value to our members’ business and help them succeed,” said Hans Hanegreefs, executive vice-president of EPTDA. “Malta boasts many achievements across numerous sectors, including pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, electronics, maritime products, yacht services, biomedical equipment, aircraft maintenance and many

other industries that are directly or indirectly related to the PT/MC industry. The company visits are another innovative initiative by EPTDA to share information and knowledge that can be vital to our members’ business growth,” he added.

EPTDA has announced a strategic partnership with CHI Hotels & Resorts to offer privileged rates for business and leisure hotel stays for all EPTDA members. Corinthia Hotels’ CEO, Tony Potter, announced the partnership and discussed the strengths of Corinthia Hotels as a special guest of honour at a glamorous Gala Dinner hosted at the Palazzo Parisio in Malta.

As a yearly tradition and to show a strong commitment to responsible business, EPTDA’s members joined hands to donate EUR 7,400 to the Maltese charity Puttinu Cares Children’s Cancer Support Group.

EPTDA is the largest organization of distributors and manufacturers of power transmission and motion control products in Europe. It represents nearly 200 companies of the industry. Founded in 1998, EPTDA’s mission is to advance distribution and strengthen members to be successful, profitable and competitive in a changing market environment. It is dedicated to providing its members with information, education and business tools required to profitably meet the needs of the industrial marketplace. This year alone, EPTDA attracted 11 new members to its association, and following the Malta convention, several non-members expressed their willingness to join the association.

EPTDA’s 2011 Annual Convention will be hosted in Budapest, Hungary, at the Cor inthia Hotel, September 28-30, 2011.

For additional information, contact Hans Hanegreefs: e-mail h. hanegreefs@eptda.orgor tel. +32 2 709 22 12 in Belgium.