PTDA Revamps Image With New Logo and Website

The Chicago-based Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) unveiled a new logo and tagline, as well as a newly redesigned website, at its 2004 Industry Summit, held Oct. 14-16, 2004, in Orlando, Fla.

Founded in 1960, PTDA is an association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. PTDA represents 217 power transmission/motion control distributor firms with almost 3,000 locations throughout North America and 13 other countries, as well as 189 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

Adopted as part of a major communications campaign targeted at current and prospective members, the new logo includes a tagline, ‘Channeling the Power of Industry.’

The design is intended to better represent PTDA’s identity and goals, reflect the association’s forward-looking and forward-thinking direction, convey efforts to evolve and change for the better and to be on the cutting edge, and communicate a complex message about PTDA’s strengths and benefits.

“Use of the new logo and tagline will benefit PTDA members by identifying them as best-in-class and outstanding members of the power transmission/ motion control (PT/MC) community,” said Stephanie Kaplan, PTDA director of marketing and communications.

As well, the redesigned website is intended to make navigation and finding information faster and more intuitive, said Kaplan.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Robert Callahan, who retired earlier this year from U.S. Tsubaki Inc., Wheeling, Ill., was named the 15th recipient of its Warren Pike Award for lifetime achievement in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry by the PTDA at its Industry Summit.

The award was established in 1984 to honour individuals who have demonstrated outstanding, continuous, long-term support of PTDA and the PT/MC industry. The award is named for PTDA’s co-founder and first president.

Callahan began his career in the PT/MC industry with a distribution firm, Bearing Headquarters Co., in Broadview, Ill. He joined U.S. Tsubaki in 1983 and held the post of senior vice-president, sales and distributor services, when he retired.

He has been active volunteer in the association for 20 years, serving on numerous committees, the Manufacturer Council and the board of directors. He consistently involved U.S. Tsubaki in association activities and encouraged other companies to do the same.

Barb Ross, director of sales and marketing for Klozure Oil Seals & Bearing Isolators of Palmyra, N.Y., and PTDA’s Manufacturing Council chair in 2003, saluted Callahan’s dedication to the PT/MC industry and PTDA. “Bob has always had a passion for the industry and has the best interests of the whole industry at heart,” Ross said. “He’s always been very dedicated and gone over and above the call of duty.”

Most recently, Callahan has helped drive the expansion of PTDA’s Educational and Scholastic Foundation, which works to build the pool of qualified workers for the PT/MC industry and supports continuing education programs. Callahan also has played a key role in developing and rolling out the foundation’s education and workforce development program, the Industrial Career Pathways.

“Bob is someone who commits to a cause and is as tenacious as bulldog,” said Ralph Rivera, president of Gates Hydraulics of Denver, Colo., and a Warren Pike Award winner in 2001. “His leadership, drive and commitment have re-energized and refocussed the foundation.”

Doug Savage, president of Bearing Service, Inc. of Livonia, Mich., and a past PTDA president added: “Bob has kicked up the activity, participation and fundraising levels of the foundation. Creating the community college program is a huge job, but Bob realizes we need to reinvest in our industry by training new young people.”

Leaders for 2005

At the summit, PTDA members elected John R. (Jack) Neal, vice-president of marketing, Root, Neal & Company, Buffalo, N.Y., as president for 2005. He will take up his post in January, replacing Don R. Latham, president of Canadian Bearings Ltd., Mississauga, Ont., who will become immediate past president. The Manufacturer Council chairman will be Bill Demmel of Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc., Arlington, Tex.