BVAA Conference Review

Published: 8th October 2013 | Issue 26

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BVAA reconvened at Celtic Manor on Tuesday 14th May 2013 for the second in the latest reincarnation of the BVAA Spring Conference, which this year also featured a mini exhibition by members Abacus, Cameron, Dichtomatik and Righton.

Scores of BVAA members attended the event and were rewarded with a diverse and stimulating conference covering a broad range of subjects.

First up was Steve Howell of Abercus who gave an excellent introduction to computational fluid dynamics and its specific benefits to the valve industry. Many members are now utilising this important design tool.

Hans Sodevall of Sandvik Powdermet (Sweden) followed and gave members some insights into the tremendous benefits of near net-shape solutions for valve products. In these time-short and cost-conscious times, the technology does seem a great solution for short-order/short lead-time products.

Next up was BVAA member Tim Guest of Zoedale, who gave members a taster of just how Twitter and Linked In could work for them. Social Media is of course not unknown to most members, but instruction on how to make it work advantageously in a business environment left members eager to learn more.

Making a welcome return visit to the Conference was Alan McLelland, CEO of the National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC). Alan was as entertaining as ever and gave an extremely well informed view on why some metals appeared to be in short supply, how some specialist metals are by-products of other processes, which are often on completely different business cycles, and why some markets are dominated by nearmonopolies and of course the impact this has on cost and availability.

After lunch, members were able to interact with Rick Faircloth, Principal Engineer with Cameron Engineered Process Valves (Houston, USA) and a key contributor to the controversial API 20A valve castings quality standard. Following background to the standard’s development, members were able to make individual enquiries on the standard’s requirements, but also a pre-prepared series of questions compiled by BVAA’s own Valve WG were put to Rick. Many of these may well lead to changes to the standard’s content in a subsequent revision (see page 30).

Another ‘star act’ was Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics. Alan had presented at the December 2012 AGM meeting cluster and a return visit was a popular choice. In an extended session Alan explained his organisation’s analysis techniques, and then gave a comprehensive assessment of the global economy and drew out specific points on individual countries. The key to the presentation was how to identify the opportunities a recovering economy presented and then how to prepare and make best use of them as they came around.

Excellent feedback from members on a very informative day:

‘My first BVAA event, very impressed’

‘A great Conference, very informative’

‘I could listen to the Economist all day!’

‘Economic presentation superb – just fantastic’

Telephone:	01295 221270
Email:	enquiry@bvaa.org.uk
Website:	www.bvaa.org.uk
	More information on the British Valve and Actuator Association BVAA Member Directory Page

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