When the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) convened its 2010 Winter Meeting January 17-19 at the Doubletree Guest Suites Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, a record number of attendees were present to benefit from presentations on counterfeit bearings and vendor managed inventory (VMI).
During a luncheon presentation to all Winter Meeting attendees, Scott Lynch, President of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) since December 2005, explained how BSA authorized bearing distributors can partner with ABMA to assist in addressing the $600 billion a year counterfeiting problem that is costing U.S. businesses $200 - $250 billion annually.
Lynch has been a key participant in the evolution of the World Bearing Association (WBA) with the Japanese Bearing Industrial Association (JBIA) and the Federation of European Bearing Manufacturers Association (FEBMA) since its creation in 2007. WBA recently launched its Anti-Counterfeiting Initiative, authorizing a three year education and communications campaign to bring attention to generate awareness about the counterfeit problem and increase motivation to always buy from authorized bearing sources. The primary target is end users of bearings, with law enforcement and authorized distributors as secondary targets.
Also at the 2010 winter Meeting, BSA's Information Technology and Supply Chain Committee welcomed Max Buchanan, Director of Sales - Automotive, Heavy Duty & Industrial, at Datalliance, Inc., a leading provider of collaborative commerce services, and the world's largest independent VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) service provider. Buchanan discussed the business value of VMI and the benefits of improved inventory efficiency, reduced administrative costs and improved customer service.
Traditionally, BSA's Winter and Fall Meetings provide an unprecedented opportunity for attendees to network with industry peers in a more casual, intimate setting than the association's annual convention.
Individuals who are not currently serving on a BSA committee are encouraged to attend and experience the work of the committee(s) of their choice with no obligation to join the committee; see how participation can influence the direction of the industry; and learn how committee participation can benefit them personally and improve their company's position in the marketplace.
This year a record number of attendees took advantage of this singular opportunity for industry networking and education. Attendees included 30% more distributors than manufacturers, two first time attendees and one guest.
BSA is the "must belong to organization for authorized bearing distributors." An international service and educational organization of distributors representing a total of almost 100 companies distributing factory-warranted ball-, roller-, and anti-friction bearings and invited manufacturers of bearings and related products, the association's mission says, "BSA is the forum to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors." For more information about the BSA 2010 Annual Convention, please visit the convention website, www.bsaconventions.org. For more information on BSA contact the BSA office at (630) 858-3838; fax (630) 790-3095; email info@bsahome.org or visit the association website at www.bsahome.org.
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BSA Conference Table Registration opens February 1st.
