VALVE MAGAZINE Spring 2024

VMA NEWS

Market Outlook Workshop Announced VMA, VRC and Hydraulic Institute (HI) members will convene August 1-2, 2024, in Oakbrook, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, for the 2024 workshop. This workshop is open only to VMA, VRC and Hydraulic Institute members. VMA’s Market Trends and Statistics Committee, chaired by Steven Szpak of Trillium Flow Technologies, will plan the work shop and identify key topics and speakers. The workshop pro vides economic experts, as well as the experts who research and follow the economic indicators for end-use markets important to the valve and pump industries, including oil and gas, construc tion, energy chemical, mining, water/wastewater and more “Last year we held the event in person for the first time since the pandemic, and all attendees and speakers appreci ated the opportunity to be in person and network. A casual networking dinner was held, which really helped to reinforce the networking between the pump and valve industry. We are glad to offer this again this year,” says VMA President Heather Rhoderick.

enlightening conversation about the importance of developing a sustainability lens to help meet government, customer and societal sustainability requirements — and to also help protect the planet. The importance of taking small steps and getting employees involved was men tioned throughout the discussion. The Valve Forum commenced on Wednesday, April 10, and continued through Thursday, April 11, with sessions divided into four tracks: Management & Marketing, Technical, Manufacturing and Valve Fundamentals. Opening keynote speaker Lauren Bruns, from Deloitte Consulting, addressed five key manufacturing industry trends: consistent talent obstacles; decarbonization and electrification; supply chain; the smart factory; and af termarket services — and how AI has an impact on each. Among the four tracks of the forum, there was no shortage of discussions taking place, including PFAS implications, sustainability, energy, workforce, fugitive emissions, interpreting marketing data and much more. For those who chose to stay, the Valve Forum con cluded on Thursday with a tour of United Valve’s facili ties, providing insights into the valve repair, testing and modification done by the company. VMA thanks the sponsors and exhibitors of the event for their support in making this event possible. The Hydrogen Valve Summit was sponsored by AUMA Actuators, Baker Hughes and Emerson, and the Valve Forum was sponsored by EFCO USA, Setpoint Integrat ed Solutions, Trident Systems and VanAire. Dates and location for the 2025 Hydrogen Valve Sum mit and Valve Forum will be made this summer. Matt Thiel, president, AUMA Actuators Inc. and VMA immediate past board chairman; Andy Duffy, vice president of sales for discrete automation at Emerson and VMA chairman of the board; and VMA President Heather Rhoderick.

Student Scholarships Available to Children of VMA Members

The VMA Scholarship Program was established to provide educational opportunities to the children of VMA member company employees. The program provides financial assistance to help offset the rising cost of postsecondary education and promote careers in areas of importance for the valve manufac turing industry. Named after VMA’s longest running president and employee, William Sandler, the scholarship was established to honor his dedication, contributions and achievements for the VMA, its employees, member companies and their customers. This year, VMA is excited to increase the scholarship amounts available! Scholarship Applications for 2024 are now open and will close June 30, 2024. For more information on the VMA Scholarship Program, visit vma.org/sandlerscholar.

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VALVE MAGAZINE

SPRING 2024