The Pressure Vessel Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has changed its name to the Pressure Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) in response to changing market conditions.

Newly elected PEMA chairperson Peter Viljoen says that this is not just a name change, but a fundamental relaunch. “It is the revamping of the philosophy of the organisation to make it more relevant to its members and the industry as a whole,” he says.

“The PVMA has always been affiliated to both the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa and the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda), but when Sassda made a policy decision to shed many of its affiliated organisations, including the PVMA, we used the opportunity to review that associations strategy,” he says.

He explains that the name change was the first and most obvious response as the 
organisation had to align itself with the new Pressure Equipment Regulations, for all pressure equipment, including accessories, and not just pressure vessels.

There were other fundamental changes. 
The company expanded its membership to incorporate a range of industries in the value chain, including users of pressurised equipment.

“We also committed ourselves to helping uplift the entire pressure equipment industry through education and training initiatives directed mainly at skills development,” Viljoen explains.

He adds that a strong and cohesive industry association is critical in promoting the industry to both local and foreign companies interested in undertaking business with its members.

Meanwhile, the PEMA will soon make public the details of its new CEO, who will be responsible for managing the association and ensuring that it meets its targets, which include representing members’ interests in major national projects and in the supply management forums of large end-users and State-owned enterprises, developing skills at all levels in the industry, and promoting local manufacturing and export opportunities.

The CEO will take responsibility for 
regulating relations between members and employees or trade unions, using legitimate means to encourage employers to become members and providing assistance to 
members on matters affecting the relationship between themselves and their employees or trade unions.

Viljoen says that, in order to facilitate the fastest possible launch of the new entity, the PEMA has reached an agreement with the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW), whereby it will assist the PEMA with various administrative functions.

“We have always had very close ties with the SAIW and their experience and expertise will be of great benefit to us,” he concludes.