Thirty-Five and Only Starting

By John Walsh, WSTDA President

At our Spring 2008 Meeting, we will celebrate thirty-five years of WSTDA service to the Synthetic Sling and Load Securement industry. Founded in 1973 by a small group of industry members looking for a way to improve and safeguard our industry the WSTDA now has well over 100 member companies both domestic and international. Included are manufacturers and suppliers of Synthetic Web Slings, Round Slings, Load Securement Devices, Synthetic Webbing, Synthetic Fibers, Thread, Related Machinery and Components.

As a Standards Writing body, the WSTDA ranks second to none. Government and Law Enforcement Agencies seek counsel of the WSTDA for input in their publications and enforcement standards. This did not just happen! A body of concerned industry members has contributed their resources and worked tirelessly to debate and hone the structure, format and wording of our standards. You and your predecessors are thanked and congratulated.

In a cruel twist of thought, our industry might well ask, “that is all great, but what are you going to do for me today and tomorrow”? Yes, what are we going to do? Should we continue as we are or should the WSTDA find new avenues to pursue? Should we stay within our association or should we seek strategic alliances that will empower us to better serve in the future.

At our Las Vegas 2007 Fall Meeting, (what a dazzling location that was) we joined with the Narrow Fabrics Institute and the Truck Cover and Tarp Association. The networking opportunities and having the IFAI Tradeshow available added to the texture and value of our meeting.

I will share my thoughts. The WSTDA must enlarge its repertoire. It must form alliances with quality like-minded organizations. This will not be quick and easy. We must work to establish mutual respect and trust with those we seek to involve. Tentative efforts in the past have fallen on bumpy roads. However, I think there is a common realization throughout industry that standing alone is not the best route and does not serve members well. We have expertise to share; others have expertise to share. How much stronger we will all be if we do this.

We currently have various levels of communication with, among others, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Cordage Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators and most recently with the National Association of Chain Manufacturers. By drawing on their combined specialized knowledge and experiences, what a force the WSTDA will be. We can do this, not by giving up our independence, but by seeking out and using others best.

This I see as the challenge we face. Are we up to the challenge? Everything I have encountered with WSTDA Members shouts yes! Now the famous question; who, what, where, why and when? Think on this, think long and hard. Who has a connection, a personal relationship with someone appropriate in any of these organizations? Share this information with your Executive. They want to hear your perspective. They want your help. Only by concerted combined effort will we better the WSTDA.

I will close with a truly personal thought on an important occasion in the life of our organization. After more than twenty-three years of service to the WSTDA, Bob Jasany will be attending his last Board Meeting and will not stand for re-election to any WSTDA office. This is the bad news. Now the good news – Bob, now retired from the Presidency of SpanSet Inc., will continue serving The WSTDA as Technical Coordinating Consultant. Bob has been a valued mentor to many of us and we are far better for his patience, quiet guidance and most importantly, his friendship.

Newport Rhode Island beckons. We look forward to enjoying its charm and grace and to sharing the experience with the many truly special people who will attend and make our Anniversary Celebration a memorable event. I wish you safe travels and look forward to greeting you in Newport.

You are receiving this email as a benefit of your membership with WSTDA. You are not receiving this message because you are subscribed to an electronic list. If you have any input you would like to provide about mailings of this type, please e-mail wstda@ksgroup.org. To unsubscribe to this newsletter, click here.

Web Sling & Tie Down Association

2105 Laurel Bush Rd. • Suite 200 • Bel Air, MD 21015 • phone: 443-640-1070 • fax: 443-640-1031 • wstda@ksgroup.org • www.wstda.com