FPDA talks e-commerce and alternative technologies

By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 12/1/2000

Philadelphia-More than 400 people attended the Fluid Power Distributors Assn.'s Fall Meeting in October in Philadelphia hoping to learn more about the technology and management tools that distributors will need to navigate the future of this industry.

One of the highlights of the meeting's educational programs was the "B2B E-commerce Strategies" workshop presented by Steve Pillow of MRO.com, Inc.

"E-business continues to be a major topic of interest for our distributors and manufacturers," said Mary Connor, FPDA's executive director. Connor says FPDA will continue to focus on e-business. The association has plans to offer more sessions on practical applications at its 2001 Annual Meeting-February 24-28, at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-and to hold a focus group session with the National Fluid Power Assn. in February to develop an industry-wide strategy.

In addition to several other workshops, a six-member panel of manufacturers and distributors debated differing viewpoints in a session titled "CenterPoint 2000: Alternate Technologies-Friend or Foe?" The panel discussed the current and potential impact of high technology products in the industrial marketplace.

In a recent online survey conducted by FPDA, 80 distributor members offered input on how their traditional fluid power product mix is changing with the infusion of electrical and electronic control products. More than 86 percent of the respondents indicated that they currently offer electrical and/or electronic control products.

The overall consensus of survey respondents indicated that fluid power will continue to be displaced as electrical and electronic solutions become more sophisticated and affordable, especially in light assembly and positioning applications.

FPDA's board of directors is exploring programs that can help members implement alternate technologies.

"But fluid power continues to be FPDA's core competency and our focus will continue to be on fluid power as a motion control solution," Connor said.

In February, FPDA's Annual Meeting, titled "Technology, Leadership and the Customer-an Instant Classic," will focus on the impact of technology on the specialty distributor and the increased importance of the human resource factor.