Bearing Conference 2005 Report from Italy

Bearing Conference 2005, running from May 19 - 22 in Sorrento, Italy, was another success for the now eight-year-old Conference. The Conference moves to different locations around the world each year; 2005's conference was held in scenic Sorrento, Italy's Hilton Sorrento Palace. As the only open, bearing-industry-specific conference in the world, Bearing 2005 provided an opportunity for a diverse group of international manufacturers, component part producers, and distributors, along with technical and IT support specialists, to come together in one place to interact one-on-one. This year, attendees had the opportunity to hear from leading bearing industry professionals hailing from Japan, Europe, Russia, the U.S.A. and Australia. Various breakout session topics included : Dr. Pietro Prosino, PROSINO S.r.l. (http://www.prosino.com) presented a paper on the latest production techniques for high precision bearing rings, along with the operational advantages of an integrated process flow. Dr. Prosino also addressed a growing area of concern, particularly in Europe -- counterfeit bearings and components coming on the market, usually with no markings. Gerald Barnes presented BearingMatrix.com, (http://www.BearingMatrix.com), a U.S.-based Internet portal allowing bearing manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, buyers and government purchasing agents to post available products and find the products they need, all in one place. Godo Kigyo's Francis Dunn came from Tokyo to give an overview of the opportunities and challenges facing Asian bearing manufacturers and distributors. In particular, he discussed the effect of the current backorder situation with bearing-quality steel. Also, Mr. Dunn pointed out the shortage of steel has created a situation where financial arbitrageurs are pre-buying steel ahead of bearing manufacturers, creating an artificial shortage, then selling it back into the market at inflated prices. Dr. Giustino Izzo, President of the FNDI (http://www.fndi.it), was present and represented more than 100 bearing distributors throughout Italy. Dr. Izzo gave an overview of the current challenges facing the Italian bearing industry, expressing the need for greater cooperation between manufacturers and distributors. Bearing Conference founder, Ian McPherson, addressed a variety of difficult problems facing the bearing industry. His topics included legal matters, false aircraft bearing certifications, counterfeit branding, counterfeit packaging, rebadged / remarked bearings, and other issues. This led into a discussion about the "dark side" of some in the industry, its leadership and the effect these problems have on behavior and reputation. Michelle Walters, a Senior HR Business Consultant from Australia, gave a presentation based on feedback from informal discussions going on during the conference. The main focus was the difficulty the industry creates for itself by the competition which often develops between manufacturers and distributors. She stressed the need for the bearing industry to develop strategic business plans based on a clearer understanding of today's more volatile business climate. Attendees also visited the VLF Bearing factory (http://www.vlf-bearings.com) in Naples. The tour included lunch in the company cafeteria, followed by a tour of the manufacturing plant and presentation by the VLF Board of Directors. In addition to the trade show, breakout sessions and plant tour, conference attendees were given many opportunities for organized visits to the area's cultural and historical attractions. Sorrento is on the coast, an hour's drive from Naples and a 20 minute ferry ride from Capri. The Amalfi Coast, Positano, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii are 20 minutes away by car. One important development to come out of Bearing Conference 2005 was a general agreement that the industry needs a type of "Code of Conduct." Ms. Waters facilitated a breakout session with a number of participants, all keen to explore the development of a code of ethical practice for the bearing industry. The group articulated a set of core values as a starting point, and discussed principles of collaboration, reciprocity and cooperation. From that discussion of a need for a ethical standards, participants went on to suggest the bearing industry needs a type of international industry association, representing manufacturers and distributors around the world and in each segment of the industry. In that vein, a draft document is being developed and will be circulated to participants for comment. Mr. McPherson told eBearing plans for the next Bearing Conference are already underway, and it will probably find its way to the U.K. in 2006.