Page 5 - ITAtube-journal_2-13

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ITAtube Journal No2/September 2013
Editorial
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen
Since becoming a member of the ITA 27 years ago in 1986 I have enjoyed
meeting and talking with ITA members about pipe making technology,
production methods, market prospects and much more.
In 1987, at the ITA international conference held in Philadelphia, USA
I had an opportunity to speak about my company’s new technology and
enjoy dinner together with about 300 participants, a memory still vivid
in my mind today. The ITA quickly developed into a truly international as-
sociation after John Hogg, a co-founder of the organisation, had formed
the initial group with his associates in Birmingham, UK.
Following the ITA’s expansion in North America and India, the Asia Pacif-
ic Management Board (APMB) was also created and appointed me as its
chairman. From the very beginning of the APMB its representatives from
Southeast Asia countries such as Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan
have met regularly to discuss their business and technical topics but
unfortunately board membership has not developed as much as in other
regions mainly because of language problems. Despite this the APMB has
been able to recruit new Chinese members to improve its board membership.
Regarding technical subjects, three times in 2000 in Osaka, 2007 in Nagoya and 2012 in Osaka, Japan, we had
very successful conferences collaborating with the Roll Forming Division of JSTP (Japan Society of Technology
and Plasticity). All three of these conferences attracted more than 200 participants from all over the world.
In reference to these conferences I would like to mention Phillip Knight, the former executive secretary of the
ITA. He assisted me in many respects, not only for the material preparation for the conferences but also the
marketing and recruiting of participants.
Although I was elected Chairman of the ITA in 2010, because of the disadvantage of geography I have been
leaving many important matters regarding the ITA’s headquarters in the capable hands of Dr. Voswinckel, the
ITA President.
During my term of office, I want to establish a tight relationship with the Roll Forming Division of JSTP. Be-
cause in this division, we regularly have technical meetings (3 – 4 times a year) and a seminar every year, not
only on roll forming technology but also on related subjects such as tube forming, expanding, bending, etc. It
is also a good chance to get in touch with such technically excellent companies as Nippon Steel & Sumitomo
Co. and JFE Steel Co. Also I want to establish closer relationships with Korean and Australian companies. I
think Korea, Australia and Japan should lead the way in the tube/pipe world in the APMB.
I enjoy my involvement with the ITA. We can have congenial talks with colleagues who are usually business
rivals as well as discussing and agreeing matters of universal and mutual interest. At present ITA membership is
more than 750, but without any doubt I can see the potential for it to grow three or four times. I really hope
that the ITA will develop even more worldwide as a not-for-profit technical association based on the publication
of technical papers and the organizing of technical conferences with attractive and informative subjects. Thank
you very much.
Greetings from
Tsutomu Nakata
Chairman and Vice President ITA
Tsutomu Nakata
Chairman and Vice President ITA