Associations, societies, & government activities

Electrical Apparatus, Jun 2005

Some action better than none, NAM warns

Congress needs to break the gridlock that has gripped the U.S. policy making apparatus, John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, told the board of governors of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. "We are facing as serious a set of circumstances as we have in some time," Engler, who served three terms as governor of Michigan, said.

Engler told NEMA's March meeting at the association headquarters in Washington that NAM has a four-point agenda for the problem: Reduce U.S production costs, level the international playing field, develop a 21st Century work force, and promote innovation, investment, and productivity.'Other countries have been doing a better job promoting pro-growth environments," he said.

U.S. manufacturers have a 22% disadvantage in production costs relative to other countries, he said. There are 730,000 asbestos cases in court and 60% of their costs go to attorneys. Health insurance is a growing burden for business. "General Motors estimates the company spends $2,000 per vehicle for health care costs," he said.

"There's no sense of urgency in Congress," Engler said, "but there is a growing sense of urgency in the manufacturing community."

Engler also touched on these themes during a presentation at National Manufacturing Week in Chicago in March (EA April, page 33).

Slow going for 2005 National Electrical Code

Few jurisdictions have as yet adopted the 2005 National Electrical Code since it was issued last summer by the National Fire Protection Association and approved as an American National Standard, (EA January). Only Massachusetts, Boise, Idaho, and one Alabama county have adopted the Code, while North Carolina, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Georgia, and Utah are scheduled to adopt the code by Jan. 1, 2006.

Distributor group expands, adds 4 categories

The National Association of Electrical Distributors has created a new "Associates" membership category for manufacturers, service providers, technology organizations, and resellers.

The St. Louis-based organization says it is doing this to further strengthen NAED's role in advancing the electrical distribution channel. "The new membership category will provide the involvement and resources necessary to enhance the pivotal role NAED plays in improving communications, standards, and supply chain efficiency in the industry," NAED stated.

NAED also announced a $300,000 commitment by Sonepar USA to the association's Education & Research Foundation. Sonepar USA is the U.S. subsidiary of the global Sonepar SA group, the world's largest privately held electrical distributor, employing 19,000 globally. Also announced was a $250,000 pledge from Osram Sylvania, the North American operation of Osram GmbH and a member of Siemens companies.

Contractors add building systems to show

What has been known as the VDV Conference and Expo in Las Vegas will now run concurrently with the annual National Electrical Contractors Association convention and trade show in New Orleans, Sept. 17-20. "This event will prepare electrical contractors to become general contractors and speciality contractors to become prime contractors," John Grau, NECA CEO, said. "Contractors have to change how they approach business."

"Whether you have expanded into network cabling, sound, security, fire and life safety, access control, home networking, or all of these, the Conference on Integrated Building Systems prepares contractors for the growing convergence market," Grau said.

Information is available from Beth Ellis at (301) 215-4507.

Scholarships for 28 engineering students

Twenty-eight college engineering students will receive scholarships this month from the American Society of Safety Engineers during ASSE's Professional Development Conference and Exposition in New Orleans. The ASSE Foundation will award more than $80,000 in scholarships this year. Typical of the awards is a $3,500 Washington Group International Safety Scholarship that will be awarded to Megan Rochowiak, a student at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Wash. Other scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $5,250, will be given to students in Oklahoma, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Corrosion professionals set attendance record

More than 6,000 corrosion professionals attended the April convention of NACE International, formerly known as the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, in Houston, a record for the association. The association's 2006 convention will be held in San Diego, March 12-16.

ARI certified equipment offered free on-line

Performance ratings of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute certified equipment is accessible without charge on www.ari.org/cert. ARI has expanded its Web site to add information on the application of cooling thermal storage techniques.

Safety engineers offer job applicant testing

In its effort to improve workplace safety, the American Society of Safety Engineers has released on its Web site recommendations on pre-employment testing and job applicant investigations. "The recommendations are intended to assist ASSE members and other professionals in making the right hiring decisions as the need for background checks rapidly increases," Jim Smith, vice president, said. The Web site is at www.asse.orgldrisk_WhitePaper.htm.