august 2014 newsletter - gasket fab · 2014. 8. 5. · page 2 august 2014 26112 110 street th"...
TRANSCRIPT
President’s MessageKen Stober
In This Issue
Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘14Page 1
President’s MessagePages 1 & 3
Future Meeting SchedulePage 4
Membership AnniversariesPage 4
New Association MembersPage 4
Company Profi lesPages 4, 6 & 7
Press Releases Pages 7 & 8
New GFA Director and Offi cersPage 10
2014 Fall Meeting - 35th AnniversaryPage 11
Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘14 PhotosPages 12 & 13
What’s Going On In The GFA?Pages 15, 16 & 18
Fugitive Gases and LiquidsPage 19
Benchmarking Report Pages 22 & 23
Volume 33 Number 2 August 2014
Cost for not attending the Gasketing/Converting Expo ’14:
• $241,500 for Regular Members
• $160,576 for Exhibitor Companies
An interesting question occurred to me after the recent
GFA Expo. The $241,500 question was, “I wonder what the
lost opportunity cost was for those companies that did not
attend the Expo in March?” In the spirit of Billy Riggs, I can
assure you that the following estimate is based 100% on my
observations and opinions with a heavy dose of theoretical calculations.
Follow my “logic” here. There were 252 attendees (non-exhibitor company attendees) at the
Expo event. Let’s say that each person who visited the 104 booths was able to pick up one
Continued on page 3
Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘14 - The Best Yet!
The Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘14,
presented by the Gasket Fabricators
Association (GFA) and held at the Hilton
Orlando, was the 5th Expo, and it was the
largest yet, drawing close to 600 attendees
and over 100 exhibitors to a trade show
devoted exclusively to the gasketing and
converting industries. The event was co-sponsored by the Fluid Sealing Association (FSA),
the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD), and the International
Sealing Distribution Association (ISD).
The program featured a full-day Expo with a cost-eff ective table top display format, which
allowed a broad range of exhibitors to have unprecedented exposure to gasket fabricators
and converters without having to arrange for elaborate displays and logistics. A well-
received addition to the program was a series of technical and industry breakout sessions
on topics including adhesives, key performance indicators, gasket materials, equipment,
and social media. The overall feedback on the Expo has been extremely positive from
both attendees and exhibitors alike. Several attendees commented that it was “the most
valuable industry event they ever attended.” The next Gasketing/Converting Expo is already
being planned for the spring of 2016. If you have not yet attended a Gasketing/Converting
Expo, or if you are not currently a GFA Member, please email your contact information to
[email protected] to receive information on the Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘16.
August 2014Page 2
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August 2014Page 3
President’s Message(Continued from Page 1)
idea that would lead to $5,000 of new business. If those 252
attendees multiplied by $5,000 were split evenly between
the 104 exhibitors, that would equal $12,115 per exhibitor.
In addition, it is estimated that there were over 100 new
products introduced to the Die Cutting industry at these
booths. The calculated value of being on the ground fl oor for
the introduction of these materials and getting a jump on
the rest of the converting world is another $10,000. Running
total so far is $15,000 per attendee and let’s say that half the
exhibitors had new products, so that is an additional $48,461
per exhibitor who introduced a new product. The total for
the exhibitors is up to $60,576. But wait, there is more.
There were 5 breakout sessions on the following topics: 1)
Social Media – Is it Right For Your Company?; 2) Pressure-
Sensitive Adhesives; 3) Developing KPI’s that Fit Your
Business and Using Them to Drive Your Key Objectives; 4)
Innovative Gasket Materials; and 5) Automated Cutting
of Gaskets. If you attended just one of these sessions
and learned one new idea that either helped make your
company more profi table and effi cient or led to a new
sales opportunity, the conservative estimated value of this
knowledge is $20,000 per attendee. The tally is now up to
$35,000 per attendee, and $80,576 per exhibitor. But wait,
there is more.
There were cocktail receptions, continental breakfasts,
lunches, dinners, networking by the pool, golf, and a Disney
tour. All of these were great opportunities to meet new
people in our industry, talk to that supplier or customer
that you just hadn’t been able to connect with, get an
introduction from a mutual connection, and catch up with
someone who you haven’t seen in a while. Who knows,
one of these conversations could be the connection to that
sale that you have been trying to make happen. Let’s add
another $30,000 to the ledger. The subtotal is now $65,000
per attendee and $110,576 per exhibitor. But wait, there is
more.
We all got to see the amazing, the insightful, and the
thoroughly entertaining Billy Riggs. Maybe one of his ideas
such as how customers are 97% likely to buy from you again
if you have a problem and it is quickly and properly resolved,
compared to the 75% who are likely to buy from you again
after being satisfi ed with your product and not experiencing
any problems. Or maybe it was the benefi t of having a
proactive approach, a redemptive heart, and an optimistic
outlook. These can be life changing both from a personal
and business perspective. That is a hard one to put a value
on but of course that will not stop me from trying. How
about $50,000? The totals are now $115,000 per attendee
and $160,576 per exhibitor. But wait, there is more.
The average regular member had 2.1 people attend per
company so we can take the $115,000 per attendee and
multiply by 2.1. The grand total for the regular member
companies that attended the GFA Expo is $241,500 per
company.
Now, I know there may be some doubters out there who
would argue that my estimates are high, but I also know that
there are attendees and exhibitors that attended the Expo
that will tell you that, for them, my numbers are too low.
That being said, for me the dollars are not the real value that
the GFA provides. The real value is the many connections
and lifelong friendships that I have made over the years, and
one cannot put a price tag on those.
I hope everyone got everything they hoped for and more
from attending the Expo. I look forward to serving as your
President for the next two years. Terry has set the bar high
for those of us who follow.
Don’t spend all that money you made at the Expo in one
place.
Fall 2014 Semi-Annual Meeting
September 30 - October 2, 2014
Portola Hotel & Spa
Monterey, CA
Spring 2015 Semi-Annual Meeting
March 17 - 19, 2015
Fairmont Southampton
Bermuda
Fall 2015 Semi-Annual Meeting
September 29 - October 1, 2015
Hyatt Regency San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Spring 2015 Semi-Annua
- 19, 2015
ampto
Fall 2015 Semi-Annual M
September 29 - Octo
Hyatt
S
August 2014Page 4
GFA Future Meeting Schedule
Company Profi les
Founded in 2003, Cima NanoTech is a smart materials
company delivering high performance, next-generation,
transparent conductors. The company developed
the proprietary SANTE® self-assembling nanoparticle
technology, a conductive coating that forms a random
mesh-like network when coated on a substrate, enabling
Continued on page 6
FabricatorsAll Seals, Inc.
www.allsealsinc.com
CGS Technologies
www.cgstech.com
All Products Mfg. & Supply, Inc.
www.apgasket.com
SuppliersBaumer of America Inc.
www.baeumer.com
Goodyear Rubber
www.goodyearrubber.com
Green Textile Associates, Inc.
www.greentextile.com
Highland
www.highlandindustries.com
OPFLEX Environmental Technologies
www.opfl ex.com
RotoMetrics
www.rotometrics.com
Scapa North America
www.scapa.com
SDM Die-Cutting Equipment, Inc.
www.sdmdiecuttingequipment.com
New Association Members
Membership Anniversaries
In 2014, the following companies are celebrating their
anniversaries as members of the GFA. We would like to
thank them for their ongoing support.
20 Years
Wagner Die Supply
10 Years
Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corp.
PGC
Pres-On Tape & Gasket Corp.
Relco, Inc.
Target Marketing, Inc.
5 Years
Associated Pacifi c Machine Corp.
Convert Solutions
DayStrong Rubber Products LLC
United Seal and Rubber Co., Inc.
August 2014Page 5
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Providing Solutions in Pressure-Sensitive Films and Adhesives
August 2014Page 6
Founded in 1938, Green Textile has been producing custom
knit fabrics in the United States for over 75 years. With
headquarters in Spartanburg, SC, Green Textile provides
both circular knit and warp knit fabrics to the automotive,
aerospace, medical, industrial, military, home textile, and
apparel markets.
Working with both synthetic and natural fi bers, Green Textile
has the ability to produce a wide range of fabrics, from
lightweight scrim to heavyweight fl eece. Our production
capabilities include sueding, napping, sheering, tubular
fabrics, and wide-width fabrics. We also provide the benefi t
of dyeing custom colors and applying special fi nishes, such
as wicking, anti-microbial, and durable water repellent.
Green Textile also boasts a complete in-house physical
testing laboratory. Our equipment allows us to test fabric to
a wide range of AATCC and ASTM standards and protocols.
With a commitment to quality, we test every lot of fabric we
produce to a variety of client-specifi c test requirements.
For more information about Green Textile, and how we
can help you with your fabric needs, please contact us at
864-595-9900, or visit us at www.greentextile.com.
OPFLEX Technologies, LLC dba OPFLEX Environmental
Technologies is an Indiana Limited Liability Company
headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. We formally commenced
business at the St. Johnsville, NY facility on October 1, 2013.
Opfl ex Environmental Technologies manufactures cross-
linked polyolefi n and elastomeric foams in both closed cell
and open cell.
Our closed celled foams are characterized by a fi ne cell
structure exhibiting excellent fl exibility and water resistance.
These foams are easily fabricated, die cut, and heat molded,
and are used in automotive, construction, car wash,
athletics, packaging, and recreation applications. The foams
also have the ability to protect class “A” surfaces.
Our open celled foams can be produced in either small or
large cell structure. These foams exhibit excellent fl exibility,
durability, and ability to absorb.
OPFLEX ® is an Elastomeric Foam produced in 1.7 pound
density, 3 inch thick in a 48” x 72” bun, with either small or
large cells. This lightweight product is primarily used in the
removal of oil and other non-polar pollutants from water.
OPFLEX is fabricated into Belts, Eel Grass, Booms, Mops,
Pads, and Mitts to absorb oil and pollutants. The products
can be wrung out and reused. Further, the foam contains an
additive that speeds biodegradation in landfi lls.
For more information, visit www.opfl ex.com, or contact
Russell Chandley, VP of Sales and Marketing by phone at
407-688-2671, or by email at rchandley@opfl ex.com.
Continued on page 7
Company Profi les(Continued from Page 4)
high performance transparent conductors in both existing
and emerging markets, from ultra-responsive large format
touch screens to capacitive sensors, transparent and
moldable EMI shielding, transparent heaters, transparent
antennas, OLED lighting, fl exible displays, electrochromic,
wearables, and more. Cima NanoTech has business
development centers in the United States, Singapore, Israel,
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China.
For more information, visit www.cimananotech.com, call
651-646-6266, or email [email protected].
August 2014Page 7
Company Profi les(Continued from Page 6)
For over 57 years, RotoMetrics’ rotary tooling has been
developed to tackle the challenges of high speed rotary
crush cut converting. With high tolerance part control,
RotoMetrics dies are utilized in both rotary and fl exible fl at-
bed applications.
RotoMetrics is not a “one size fi ts all” company, but rather an
“exact fi t” to your distinct needs. Every day, our products are
used to convert everything from automotive gaskets and
medical electrodes, to paint masks and Velcro straps. We
off er the tooling you can depend on to capitalize on current
markets and enter new ones.
For example, RotoMetrics’ new RD300 is an eff ective solid
rotary tool used in cutting disposable medical substrates,
dust-sensitive labels and tags, in-mold labels, synthetic
gasket materials, Velcro, Tyvek, and electronic components.
The RD300 provides rotary converters with maximum tool
life and exact cutting quality and control in a class of its own.
RotoMetrics backs every product it sells with a full scope
of technical assistance to address your specifi c projects.
With manufacturing operations on four continents, and
strong sales and technical support teams, RotoMetrics is
working harder than ever to be your preferred source for
all cutting tooling needs. For more information, please visit
www.rotometrics.com.
Since 1958, Synafl ex Rubber in Talladega, AL, has been
creating specialty rubber products used nationally and
globally. Currently, Synafl ex is one of the largest and most
diverse specialty rubber manufacturers in the United States
with a workforce of 75 and growing.
The company’s diverse manufacturing capabilities have
allowed them to provide parts that are ultimately used in
both OEM and MRO applications.
Synafl ex’s broad range of manufacturing capabilities
include compounding (or mixing) material, tool and die
manufacturing, molding, extrusions, rubber covered rolls
and wheels, lathe cut gaskets, and silicone parts.
Currently Synafl ex sells products to customers based
in all 50 states, as well as 15 foreign countries. Some
examples of customers are Dow Chemical, Caterpillar,
Bush Hog, Proctor and Gamble, Cargill, BASF, Tyson, and
many diff erent government entities including the Army,
Navy, and the United States Army Corp. of Engineers.
Synafl ex makes products that are currently in use at
Disney World, the Panama Canal, and on various military
machinery and transports. For more information, please visit
www.synafl ex.com.
American Biltrite is pleased to announce the appointment of
Glenn Orn to the position of Regional Manager.
Glenn brings an extensive background in industrial sales
to American Biltrite having spent a good portion of his
career with companies such as GenFlex, Cooley Group, and
Griswold Corp. Glenn’s responsibilities ranged from Technical
Representative to Regional Sales Manager and Product
Manager.
He will be responsible for managing sales while working
with our sales agent in your area. Introductions will be made
and he is looking forward to meeting with you.
For more information about American Biltrite Inc., please
visit their website at www.american-biltrite.com.
Press Releases
American Biltrite Inc. Appoints New
Regional Manager
Continued on page 8
August 2014Page 8
Lewis-Goetz Acquires Advanced Sealing
Lewis-Goetz, a Pittsburgh, PA based industrial service
provider of a variety of industrial products, including
fabricated hose, conveyor belts, valves, and gaskets,
announced the acquisition of Advanced Sealing on July 7,
2014.
Advanced Sealing is a full-spectrum manufacturer and
distributor of fl uid sealing products to refi ning, chemical
processing, power generation, and wastewater treatment
facilities. Advanced Sealing provides a broad product mix
including metallic and non-metallic fl ange gaskets, valve
packings, metallic and elastomeric hoses, stud bolts, hex
nuts, steam traps, and heat exchanger gaskets. Advanced
Sealing has a special focus on fugitive emission products,
proven to meet and exceed today’s demanding LDAR
sealing standards.
Advanced Sealing was incorporated in 1988 and has US
based facilities located in Cerritos, CA and Pascagoula, MI.
Lewis-Goetz is part of the ERIKS Group of companies, one of
the world’s largest industrial distributors.
Do you want your press release
featured in a future issue
of the GFA newsletter?
Contact the GFA offi ce for details!
Press Releases(Continued from Page 7)
Newsletter
The Gasket Fabricator is published by the GFA and is
distributed to all members and prospective members.
President ...............................................................................Ken Stober
Vice President ........................................................................Ken Eaton
Secretary/Treasurer....................................................Shelby Ricketts
Executive Director..............................................................Peter Lance
Administrative Director/Newsletter Editor...........Brian Schaaf
Communications Committee Chair..............................Gord Sirrs
Long Range Planning Committee Chair...........Terry S. Galanis, Jr.
Marketing Committee Chair...........................................Mark Nye
Membership Committee Chair....................................Keith Crowe
Progam & Locations Committee Chair............................Bill Hibner
Technical Committee Chair...............................................Matt Weiss
Members are encouraged to contribute articles and items of
interest to the Gasket Fabricator. All contributions should be
addressed to: Executive Director, GFA, 994 Old Eagle School
Road, Suite 1019, Wayne, PA 19087-1866, 610-971-4850,
Fax 610-971-4859, E-mail: [email protected].
Articles appearing in this publication may not be
reproduced without written consent from the Association.
Articles appearing in the Gasket Fabricator are the
views of the authors and not necessarily those of the
Association.
© Copyright 2014 Gasket Fabricators Association
August 2014Page 9
1.888.275.7075 www.american-biltrite.com
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August 2014Page 10
Ken Stober
President
Ken Stober is President
and CEO of Mueller Die
Cut Solutions. Mueller
has manufacturing
locations in Charlotte,
NC and Suzhou, China,
and has been a member
of the GFA since its
founding. Don Stober,
Ken’s father, was a past President of the GFA. Ken has served
as the Committee Chair of the Programs and Locations
Committee and the Membership Committee.
Ken Eaton
Vice President
Ken Eaton spent his fi rst
10 years in business as
Laboratory and Technical
Director for an adhesive
and sealant manufacturer,
and the next 30 years
as President of various
chemically related
retail and industrial
manufacturing companies. Over 1/3 of his total career
has been spent as a turnaround artist for companies
in serious overall trouble. Aside from North American
experience, he has set up a polymer plant in Mexico and
supervised marketing and new product development in
Israel, Venezuela, India, Australia, New Zealand, and other
countries. For over 15 years, Mr. Eaton has been President of
the Jacobs & Thompson group of companies and as of May
13, 2011, he along with Chris Brand are sole owners of the
group.
Shelby Ricketts
Secretary/Treasurer
Shelby Ricketts is the CEO
of Concote Corporation,
which operates Insul-Fab as
one of its divisions. Shelby
represents the second
generation of ownership at
Concote. Shelby has been
involved with Concote since
his childhood, spending
summers loading trucks or producing parts. He joined
Concote in an offi cial capacity in 1998, after practicing
corporate law for several years with a Dallas law fi rm. In his
capacity as CEO, Shelby works primarily in Sales & Marketing
and assists with the Quality and Management Systems for
the company. Shelby resides in Dallas with his wife, Christy,
and their two children, Caroline and Henry.
Meet the New GFA Offi cers and Directors
Trey Moody
Board Member
Trey Moody has been
employed at Zotefoams, Inc.
for three years as the Business
Development Manager of
North America for the Azote
product line. Previous to
Zotefoams, Trey has spent over
20 years in global and national
sales management, with two
major technical foam companies. His career expertise has
focused on the knowledge of national and international
markets, development and launching of customer value
services/products, and recruitment of sales teams. His career
emphasis has been in the marketing and sales of polyolefi n
and elastomeric closed cell foams for various applications
such as medical device, sealing devices, automotive, military,
and aerospace. Trey has been a member of the GFA for 13
years and served on several committees, including as past
Chair of the Membership Committee.
August 2014Page 11
GFA 2014 Fall Meeting
September 30 - October 2, 2014Portola Hotel & Spa • Monterey, California
Registration is now open for the GFA 2014 Fall Meeting,
which will be held September 30 - October 2, 2014 at
the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, CA. The program
will feature a unique mix of committee meetings, open
discussion forums, and of course, plenty of networking
opportunities.
You do not want to miss this opportunity to network and
conduct business with some of the top gasket industry
professionals.
For all of the latest information, please contact us at
[email protected], call us at 610-971-8450, or visit us
online at www.gasketfab.com/events.asp.
Tuesday, September, 30, 2014
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CEO Luncheon Meeting
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. GFA Committee Meetings
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fabricator Forum
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Member Presentations
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Supplier Expo
1:00 p.m. Golf Tournament, Tour,
and other activities
7:30 p.m. 35th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, October 2, 2014
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. General Session
The Manager's Toolkit:
Improvement with
Key Indicators
Presented by Kraig Kramers
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
Have you signed up yet? Program Highlights
August 2014Page 12
Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘14 Photos
Hilton Orlando
Ken Stober (right) presenting Terry Galanis, Jr. with a plaque
for his contributions as GFA President from 2012 - 2013
Terry Galanis, Jr. (left) presenting Steve Pendergast with a
plaque for his contributions as a GFA Director from 2005 - 2013
Billy Riggs impresses attendees with his magical
presentation during the General Session
Some of the many GFA New Members
and First Time Attendees
Attendees enjoy one of the
Technical & Industry Breakout Sessions
August 2014Page 13
August 2014Page 14
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Working Together for Success in 2014
Market Penetration • Programs • Technology • Knowledge
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August 2014Page 15
What’s Going On In The GFA?Communications
Committee
Gord Sirrs, Chair
With record attendance at the
Expo in Orlando this spring, and
unprecedented engagement at the
committee meetings, the GFA’s impact
in fostering a vibrant community for our industry is more
evident than ever.
In our committee meeting this spring, we placed a spotlight
on some exciting successes such as the GFA website and
mobile app, as well as important opportunities for member
engagement moving forward.
Staying Connected with the GFA Website
and Expo ’14 Mobile App
The Expo ‘14 Mobile App has exceeded my expectations.
While I found the app useful during the Expo in Orlando, the
real surprise has been its usefulness as a tool after the event.
I continue to use my app regularly as an organized address
book of the many member attendees, and as a way to stay
connected. I encourage you to do the same.
The GFA website statistics show positive year-over-year
improvement in site traffi c. The most visited page on the
site during the fi rst quarter of 2014 was the Members by
Membership Type page, and the average visit duration
was approximately 14 minutes. These are indicative of the
importance of peer-to-peer contact within the membership,
and the high level of function and engagement being achieved
by the site.
The KPI Survey has Launched
The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Survey has been sent to the
primary representative for each member company and I hope
you all chose to participate by completing the survey. The KPI
survey off ers valuable insights for benchmarking and trends
that are specifi c and relevant to our industry. These are useful
for long-term planning, meetings with banks and accountants,
and internally for keeping management and staff up to date.
The more participation we achieve, the more valuable the
feedback will be. This survey took a huge eff ort from many
Committee members, and I want to thank them for their
commitment to putting together such a useful tool.
Contribute and Keep the Momentum Going
Help the GFA help you. As a group, we get out what we put in.
By being proactive members and completing the KPI survey
in even years, the Wage and Benefi t Survey in odd years, and
Quick Surveys year round, you will be doing your part in making
the GFA the most valuable resource it can be for everyone.
Be sure to submit your important and challenging questions to
the GFA for inclusion in future Quick Surveys. Remember, if you
have a question or challenge, many other members will likely
benefi t from your bringing it forward.
You can fi nd the most recent newsletters posted on the GFA
website. We are always looking for members to contribute
technical articles to help build the knowledge base of the
association as a whole. Your contributions help your GFA friends
and peers learn from your experiences and knowledge, helping
them solve their everyday challenges.
Overall, it has been a positive year so far, with a lot of successes
to build from. Let’s keep the energy going, and work together
as a member community, to do our part in providing feedback
and contributions that provide members with useful industry
information and resources… And let’s have some fun doing it.
Marketing Committee
Mark Nye, Chair
Thirty-four interested GFA members
attended the Marketing Committee
meeting during the Expo in March, which
led to a very productive meeting.
A Task Group was created in order to develop a new tagline for
the GFA and they are working hard to fi nd a tagline that fi ts the Continued on page 16
August 2014Page 16
group. The Task Group plans to hold a conference call prior
to the Fall Meeting to discuss more ideas, so if you have any
suggestions, please let me know.
The Committee also reviewed the GFA’s Marketing Plan Action
Summary and prioritized the remaining items on the list. A Task
Group was formed to pursue three of the top action items. The
action items are:
Collect member success stories in order to develop a
common message to be used on the website and in a print
piece/PDF, which will be used in membership packets and
shared with committees. These stories may also be used to
develop a future direct mail campaign.
Develop a list of the top 10 FAQs for inclusion on the
website, in information packets, and wherever else the list
may be helpful.
Create “Top Reasons Why” list for the website, a PDF
handout for committees, and for marketing and
membership materials.
The Committee also discussed allowing members to use the
GFA logo and “You Gotta Be Here” graphic on their websites
and in their email signatures. When distributed, the logos
will come with instructions for linking the images to the GFA
website.
It has been an exciting year for the Committee, and we are
looking forward to keeping the momentum moving forward.
If you would like to join the Committee, or if you have
suggestions, please let me know.
What’s Going On?(Continued from Page 15)
1.
2.
3.
Program & Locations
Committee
Bill Hibner, Chair
I must be getting older now because
time is fl ying by. Summer is fi nally upon
us, and it is great to feel the warm sun
on my head, rather than the cold snow.
Our recently held Gasketing/Converting Expo was a complete
success. With just under 600 attendees and over 100 tabletop
displays, it was a GFA record. In addition, the new technical
and industry breakout sessions created extra involvement and
excitement for all those GFA members who attended. Billy
Riggs used his “magical” approach and did an outstanding
job as our keynote speaker. Disney’s Behind the Scenes (or
should I say below the street) Tour was very informative and
entertaining, and with 100 golfers, I understand the golf outing
was very good, too.
We are happy to announce that the 2014 Fall Meeting is set
for September 30th – October 2nd at the Portola Hotel & Spa Continued on page 18
Membership Committee
Keith Crowe, Chair
The Expo in Orlando is always well
attended, and this year was no
exception. This was also true of the
Membership Committee Meeting, which
had 25 members in attendance. This has
been quite the year for the Membership Committee, and for
the GFA as a whole. Since this time last year, we have added
19 new Regular Members and 22 new Associate Members, for
a total of 41 new members. This is a direct eff ect of the more
concentrated eff ort to follow up with each prospect. The GFA
now has a total of 180 members (93 Regular and 87 Associate),
the largest membership in the GFA’s 35 year history. Thank you
to everyone who helped get us to this point. Remember as you
talk with non-members to encourage them to be a part of our
association.
Much of this year has been focused on bringing valuable new
members into our organization, but we have also done work
to ensure that the membership qualifi cations outlined in our
bylaws accurately refl ect upon the types of companies that we
are hoping to have in the association.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the Fall Meeting in
Monterey and invite you to become a part of the Membership
Committee.
August 2014Page 17
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August 2014Page 18
What’s Going On?(Continued from Page 16)
1.
2.
3.
Technical Committee
Matt Weiss, Chair
The largest project that the Technical
Committee has taken on in recent years
is reviewing and updating the Technical
Handbook. It has been many years
since the last update and it is due for a
refreshing. The task is greater than expected, but we are looking
forward to the results. The Task Group is working on diff erent
sections to bring it up to date. We still could use some extra
assistance, so please contact Matt Weiss ([email protected])
if you would like to be involved.
Has your organization recently hired some new associates that
are not familiar with our industry? Looking to cross-train some
existing employees? The GFA website has some great resources
available. In the Members Only section, there are three
complete technical webinar series available.
in Monterey, CA. With the famous 17 Mile Drive and Pebble
Beach nearby, it is a beautiful location. Also, San Francisco
and Napa Valley are within driving distance. We are also proud
to announce that Bermuda has been confi rmed for our 2015
Spring Meeting location. The meeting will be held at the
Fairmont Southampton, March 17th to 19th. So please arrange
your schedules and meet us there.
Once again, I want to thank Carol Bowman for her assistance as
Vice Chair and, of course, the rest of the Program & Locations
Committee for their important input and ideas. As a Committee,
it is our goal to listen to our fellow GFA members and to create
an exciting and enjoyable environment during these meetings.
I hope everyone has had a wonderful and safe summer. See you
in sunny California.
The Estimator’s Guide to Basic Gasketing (5 sessions)
Guide to Material Selection (3 sessions)
ABC’s of PSA (4 sessions)
Did you miss some of the breakout sessions at the last Expo
or were not able to bring everyone to Orlando? There are
previous meeting presentations that can be reviewed in the
Members Only section as well.
In addition to the webinars and presentations, there are
more than one dozen previously published GFA newsletter
articles written by GFA members available for your use.
The combination of these resources provides an expansive
spectrum of information for the industry.
As a volunteer service of the GFA, the Technical Committee
welcomes all members to participate and join in the process of
informing and educating the future leadership of our industry.
Please invest an hour during the next GFA meeting to see what
the Technical Committee is all about.
Joining a committee is one of the best
ways to take advantage of your GFA
membership. Contact the GFA offi ce at
610-971-4850 or [email protected]
if you would like to join a committee.
The GFA is on Social Media!
Did you know the GFA is now on LinkedIn and Twitter? Take a
few minutes to join our LinkedIn group and follow us on Twitter
so you do not miss any of the valuable discussions taking place!
Gasket Fabricators Association (GFA)
@Gasketfab
Join the conversation today!
August 2014Page 19
Fugitive Gases and LiquidsBy: Larry Pyle, President, LFPtechnologies
As producers of gaskets and gasket materials, we are in the
business of sealing gases and liquids. Based on our experiences,
most gaskets do an adequate job of performing its sealing
function within limits; however, every gasket leaks, some very
little, and some a lot. Most seal within the limits that the end
user sets, or will tolerate. The changing dynamics of the system
often diminish the eff ectiveness of the seal or gasket. Improper
installation or maintenance procedures often diminish the
sealing potential of the gasket or seal, or can lead to disastrous
consequences.
Fugitive emissions are those gases or liquids which escape either
through or past the gasket. These emissions are accelerated by
the diff erential pressures on either side of the gasketed joint, or
by changing conditions in the joint, such as reduced clamping
pressure, thermal expansion and contraction, and a myriad of
other factors.
Losses due to these leaked gases and fl uids carry an economic
cost, as well as contribute to air pollution and possible global
warming. Emissions also present other risks and hazards, such
as long term health risks to workers or local communities. This
is particularly true in large industrial plants or refi neries. These
fugitive gases or liquids could be highly toxic and lethal. The
chemical leak, which killed thousands in Bhopal, India in 1984 is
but one example of this.
In chemical plants processing large amounts of fl ammable
liquids and gases contained under pressure, leaks also increase
the risk of fi re and explosion. If a fi re were to occur, the gasketed
joint must be able to continue to seal in extreme conditions of
temperature and thermal expansion without leaking. Any leaks
would further feed the fi re with fuel making containment much
more diffi cult. A typical chemical plant or refi nery has thousands
of gasketed joints at valves, pipe connections, mechanical seals,
and related pressure vessels and tanks.
Design gaskets for the appropriate end use, allowing for
extenuating circumstances, and adhere to established standards.
A recent study released by the EPA has indicated that 6.9
million metric tons of methane gas was lost due to fugitive
emissions in 2011, down from 10.3 million metric tons in 2010.
Natural gas is more that 80% methane. As natural gas replaces
diesel fuels, and are more widely used in industrial and power
generation plants, these losses represent a sizable contributor
to greenhouse gas eff ects.
Converting Challenges?
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August 2014Page 21
Help Tell the GFA Story!
During the Fall Meeting, the Marketing Committee was
hard at work trying to develop a strategy for promoting
the GFA and attracting new members. Following the advice
of Marketing Consultant, Lauron Sonnier, the Committee
will be working on telling the GFA’s story. The Committee
decided that there would be no better way to achieve
this goal than through member testimonials and member
success stories. Any submitted testimonials and success
stories will be featured in GFA promotional material and on
the GFA website. Take a look at some of the examples we
have already received:
I have been a member of the
GFA for some time, and during
that time have seen it evolve from
a narrowly-focused group that
encompassed a small to medium
group of like companies, to a
modern broad-minded organization
that anyone in our industry can
benefi t from both monetarily and intellectually. The contacts
and conversations are something my company will benefi t
from for years to come. “
- Ken Eaton, Partner
Jacobs & Thompson, Inc.
“
The GFA provides an excellent
forum for networking with fellow
fabricators and material suppliers,
participating in various committees
that connect members with various
interests, and accessing guest
speakers that provide insight into
improving business effi ciencies.”
- David Soliday, Vice President Engineering/Sales
Chicago Wilcox Mfg. Co., Inc.
“
The conversations you have at
the Expo can profoundly change
your business. At a recent Expo, I
was explaining to a key supplier
that one of our strategic initiatives
included acquisitions. They put
me in contact with a fabricator
that they knew was looking to sell. That fabricator fi t our
criteria and the transaction closed soon thereafter. It has
been a win/win for both parties and it all started with one
conversation at the Expo.”
-Chuck Keeley, President
CGR Products, Inc.
“
I enjoyed the opportunity to
meet a wide variety of colleagues
from within the Gasketing/
Converting industry at the last Expo.
The people that attend are decision
makers for their organizations.“
- Shelby Ricketts, COO
Insul-Fab
“
If you have a great GFA success
story, or you would like to provide
a testimonial, please contact the
GFA offi ce at [email protected].
August 2014Page 22
Below are the results from the Benchmarking Survey, which was completed to give GFA members a thumbnail sketch of how other members are fairing at this time. The following results were recorded from July 3 - July 26, 2014.
We had 37 out of 93 Fabricators respond.
1. Were sales for the second quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the fi rst quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 28 (76%) 3 (8%) 6 (16%) 2. Were sales for the second quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the second quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 26 (70%) 6 (16%) 5 (14%)
3. Is your projection for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the second quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 25 (68%) 3 (8%) 9 (24%)
4. Is your projection for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the third quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 28 (76%) 1 (3%) 8 (22%)
Benchmarking Report:
Fabricators
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1. Fabricators Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Previous Quarter
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Aug12(42/77)
Dec12(35/79)
Mar13(41/78)
Aug13(31/80)
Dec13(36/85)
Mar14(41/85)
Aug14(37/93)
2. Fabricators Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
3. Fabrictors Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Last Quarter
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Aug12(42/77)
Dec12(35/79)
Mar13(41/78)
Aug13(31/80)
Dec13(36/85)
Mar14(41/85)
Aug14(37/93)
4. Fabrictors Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
August 2014Page 23
Below are the results from the Benchmarking Survey, which was completed to give GFA members a thumbnail sketch of how other members are fairing at this time. The following results were recorded from July 3 - July 26, 2014.
We had 37 out of 87 Suppliers respond.
1. Were sales for the second quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the fi rst quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 24 (65%) 3 (8%) 10 (27%) 2. Were sales for the second quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the second quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 28 (76%) 4 (11%) 5 (14%)
3. Is your projection for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the second quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 24 (65%) 2 (5%) 11 (30%)
4. Is your projection for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the third quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 30 (81%) 3 (8%) 4 (11%)
Benchmarking Report:
Suppliers
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1. Suppliers Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Previous Quarter
Series1 Series2 Series3
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Aug12(45/69)
Dec12(40/71)
Mar13(45/73)
Aug13(33/73)
Dec13(36/76)
Mar14(32/80)
Aug14(37/87)
2. Suppliers Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
3. Suppliers Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Last Quarter
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Aug12(45/69)
Dec12(40/71)
Mar13(45/73)
Aug13(33/73)
Dec13(36/76)
Mar14(32/80)
Aug14(37/87)
4. Suppliers Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
August 2014Page 24
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