The American Supply & Machinery Manufacturers' Assn. has been in existence since 1905, representing the interests of hundreds of manufacturers. Today, the name ASMMA has been replaced with a new name, better reflecting the industry it serves. The "new" association name is the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. or ISMA. The association represents nearly 600 member companies in the United States and Canada that manufacture a variety of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies used by industry.

Frankly, the name change is long overdue. There are only a few machinery manufacturers who are members of the association, and the word "American" can be seen to place limits on the group given the growing global economy.

For many years, ASMMA, the National Industrial Distributors Assn. (NIDA) and the Southern Industrial Distributors Assn. (SIDA) held what was long-known as the Triple Industrial Supply Convention, the major industry event serving the distribution industry. The "Triple," as it was known, was attended by thousands of distributors and manufacturers. The ASMMA Conference Booth Program was the heart and soul of the convention — the place where top executives from manufacturers and distributors could meet to work out mutual business relationships.

NIDA, SIDA, as well as the Central States Industrial Distributors Assn., successfully formed the Industrial Distribution Assn. in 1998. There were many skeptics concerned that one association could not represent distributors. They were wrong. The Industrial Distribution Assn. was the right move at the right time. Regional conventions were reduced, meaning manufacturers only had to attend two major conventions a year rather than several regional ones along with the "Triple."

Like its distributor partner, ASMMA has made the right decision. Various name changes had been studied by a blue-panel committee, and from our standpoint, ISMA is the best choice. We wish ISMA well and look forward to working with the group as it continues to serve the needs of a rapidly changing industrial marketplace.