ILMA Celebrates 60th Anniversary at Annual Meeting

ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 23, 2008) — Last week ILMA celebrated its 60th Anniversary with the highest number of member attendees since 1998 - over 565 ILMA members. Colleagues were able to network, conduct business, and hear about trends in the economy and industry. In all, over 785 attendees and spouses helped commemorate the Association's 60th year.

"It was wonderful to see so many ILMA members conducting business, networking throughout the hotel, and attending educational sessions," ILMA Immediate Past President Anwer Hussain said. "Considering all of the current economic challenges, to see how many were in attendance just underscores the value of ILMA's meetings and the importance of meeting one on one with our suppliers and customers."

The Association opened its general session with a special anniversary video that tells the "story" of ILMA over the past sixty years, including how the Association has grown, how the industry has flourished since 1948, and what ILMA has accomplished for its members since its inception. ILMA Past President Jim Taglia was honored during the opening ceremonies, as he was presented with the Association's John A. Bellanti Award. Following ILMA's opening ceremonies, keynote speaker Barry Asmus discussed the economy and other timely topics.

In addition to excellent networking opportunities throughout the hotel during the day and at receptions and events in the evening, ILMA also provided educational committee sessions on various sectors of the industry. These included:

• Safety, Health, Environmental & Regulatory Affairs/Metalworking Fluids — An Overview of the 2008 MRF Symposium: Panelists highlighted the recent symposium and papers that were presented, including one that reviewed a study of an HP outbreak (101 cases) that found no mycobacteria present.
• Engine and Transmission Lubricants — Future OEM Requirements: General Motors representatives Jim Linden and Eric Johnson explained why better fuel economy is the driving force for continually improving transmission fluids. Two of the main reasons being, to meet the needs of the more sophisticated transmissions, and also for direct fuel economy improvements in the ½ to 1 percent range just from improved ATF formulation.
• Grease — It's Not That Complex: ILMA Past President Paul Converso provided an excellent overview of the market, emphasizing that understanding the market helps to identify what the opportunities are. He believes most growth in markets will be Asia and Pacific, with little in US.
• Packaging — Lean Manufacturing: Bruce Gratland summarized lean manufacturing as identifying and eliminating waste. He also provided examples on working toward lean fundamentals and what each company needs to do to get started in practicing lean manufacturing.
• Industrial Lubricants — Can You Drink It? Dr. William Schwartz and Sarah Krol provided the short answer: no, you can't. Schwartz emphasized the importance of meeting all standards, as well as actual health protection. The costs (in dollars and negative publicity) of a health-related recall of foods can and has put companies out of business entirely! Sarah Krol represents NSF International and encouraged attendees to get their lubricants tested and registered, emphasizing the cost is not prohibitive.
• Family Business Council — You Can Choose Your Friends But You Can't Choose Your Family. Dr. Baskin demonstrated, through numerous case study type examples, the need for different management styles in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations of a family business, as well as the typical problems faced by those in each generation.
• Young Executives Council: Robert Rose addressed the group's concept of a mentoring program run by ILMA and provided key elements of mentoring. Rose indicated he thought such a program could work well within ILMA, and a pilot program should be started first.

The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) was founded in 1948. ILMA's 292 members include independent lubricant companies that produce more than 25% of all lubricants and 80% or more of the metalworking fluids and other specialty industrial lubricants sold in the U.S., and key suppliers of raw materials and services to independent lubricant manufacturers