First Monday

 

May 7, 2012

Dear Member:
 
At last week’s Executive Summit in San Antonio …
…Members heard Brian Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research give his forecast for the economy and what companies should be doing to maximize value at this phase in the economic cycle.  He provided extensive data backing up ITS’s projections, which have a track record of nearly 95% accuracy over the years.  They heard John Felmy of the American Petroleum Institute describe energy production and consumption, the outlook for demand and supply, and the disconnect between reality and U.S. energy policy.  NPR and Fox news political analyst Mara Liasson reviewed the Presidential candidates and what to look for as the campaign unfolds.  Sanjiv Bhaskar of Frost and Sullivan summarized the global outlook for PPE, and the possible effect of “MegaTrends” such as urbanization, demographic changes, global outsourcing and energy.  To provide a continental perspective, Hank Vanhoutte of the European Safety Federation described current and future PPE legislation and standardization in the EU.
 
… Michael Love of Gateway Safety and Bob Weber of 3M were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Trustees.  Mitch Lewellen of MCR was reelected chairman of the Board and Brian Lyons of International Enviroguard was reelected vice chairman. 
 
… ISEA president Dan Shipp presented his annual report to the membership, showing strong growth in membership, a healthy bottom line, and an involved and enthusiastic membership working together on standards, regulatory and legislative affairs, market information and product promotion.  Read the 2011 Annual Report. 
 
This year a record number of members and guests took advantage of the Executive Summit, learning from the experts and each other, and enjoying networking events at a first-class resort.  Look for a summary of the meeting on the Web site in a few days.
 
Resources for market expansion.  ISEA and the US & Foreign Commercial Service are joining forces to help member companies expand export sales, as partners in a New Market Exporter Initiative.  When the program goes active, members will be able to receive expert analysis from the US government on new countries to target, market reports from specialists working in overseas posts, and cost-effective matchmaking services to connect with key prospects.  The Department of Commerce is completing the infrastructure for the partnership, and ISEA will announce the program’s kickoff later this month. 
 
On April 26, the Secretary of Labor announced a new OSHA/NIOSH campaign to build awareness of fall protection in construction.  Using the tag line “Safety pays - Falls cost,” the program will provide employers and workers with education and training on common-sense fall prevention equipment and strategies that save lives.  In addition to fall prevention Web pages from OSHA and NIOSH, there is a joint site at www.stopconstructionfalls.com.  ISEA is partnering with NIOSH is promoting the program, as a link to fall protection manufacturers.  Contact Dan Glucksman at ISEA for more information.
 
Setting the Standards.  ISEA’s draft standard for conformity assessment is being circulated for external peer review by users, safety and standards experts, regulators and other stakeholders.  ISEA members who would like a copy of the draft should contact director of member and technical services Cristine Fargo.
 
Welcome New Member:  W.W. Grainger, a global distributor with headquarters in Lake Forest, IL, joined ISEA in April.  Links to all ISEA member companies are here.