The start of a New Year is traditionally a time to renew, and renewal is needed now more than ever. We need to renew our industry. That’s why I’ll be tirelessly campaigning to make the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) one of the most competitive Trade Associations in the world to be a member of and to do business with. It’s about getting the infrastructure we need and improving capabilities for the long term. I want to be able to look back on 2012 and say that this was the year we didn’t compromise on the key decisions, when we pressed ahead with projects and tackled the challenges that lie ahead.

Now in its 37th year, MAINTEC 2012 attracts senior decision makers from across the spectrum of British processing and manufacturing industries and is why BCAS is happy to once again support this exhibition.

Each Quarter, Pneurop issues and information bulletin to the European Trade Associations who are members (such as BCAS) for them to make available to their members, so keeping them up to date with all the latest information regarding European activity. BCAS Members can access the full content by going to the Member’s Area of the BCAS website.

Each Quarter, Pneurop issues a Legislative Update to the European Trade Associations who are members (such as BCAS) for them to make available to their members, so keeping them up to date with all the latest updates on selected EU Legislation with the latest changes to Internal Market and Environmental Legislation highlighted in Yellow

The BCAS 2011 / 2012 Official Yearbook and Members Directory is available in digital turn page format. If you require copies of the paper version please contact the BCAS Office.

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS), is holding another of its popular one day Pressure Systems and Written Schemes workshops. It allows compressed air users to access their own written schemes, and enables distributors to offer a written scheme service to their customers.

A new section for 2012 Newsletters will be a calendar of events and meetings for BCAS and BCAS Members, such as the BCAS Spring Conference being held on Tuesday 17 April 2012 at the AirTECH2012 exhibition at the NEC Birmingham.

Due to our last three events being SOLD OUT, the BCAS Board have decided to release tickets early for the 2012 BCAS Ball, being held at the Savoy Hotel in London on Saturday 24 November 2012, so that members can ensure that they have secured their seats for the popular and prestigious event in the industry calendar.

Remember that you can enrol on-line at any time for our two on-line certificated courses; Working Safely with Compressed Air and Compressed Air System Technology. Just follow the links on the BCAS website http://www.bcas.org.uk/compressed-air-education-and-training.php

This article will be of interest for those of us that have ever used a Service Manual (such as a Haynes or Clymer or Chilton or other equivalents) in attempting home maintenance of a car or motorbike. For those who haven’t used a Service Manual, these are the books aimed at those who want to fix their own vehicles and which keep qualified mechanics in paid employment putting things right afterwards.

To all our members, colleagues and friends around the world, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year

The final details for our Autumn Conference being held on Wednesday 7 September at the Motor Heritage Centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire, see www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk for details, are well advanced and this event promises to be our best one yet.

As part of our thanks to those members who have supported the Society for a keynote number of continuous years we recognise this event by presenting Continuous Membership Awards for 10, 15 and 25 years to the following members at the Autumn Conference on 7 September:

The MDS Conference (9/10th November 2011, St. Johns Hotel, Solihull) will examine the developments within motor driven systems that impact upon energy and the environment and will also address the potential economic implications.

Teeing Off into 2011 While the Golf Society has been running successfully for many seasons, 2011 will see some interesting new developments and John Forman has again kindly offered to assist us with our membership communications. A regular link has now been established with our counterparts at the BFPA and there will be an annual joint golf day with them.

Compressed air is a substantial industrial utility that consumes upwards of 10% of industrial electrical energy. It is appropriate that the compressed air industry should with others produce an assessment standard and so it was that ISO TC118 SC6 began such a task in 2007. The new standard ISO 11011, Compressed air – Energy efficiency - Assessment, considers the entire system, from energy inputs to the work performed and treats the compressed air systems as three functional subsystems.

With more than 70 delegates registered and 6 speakers the 2011 BCAS Spring Conference was judged by members to have been one of the best yet. Before the Conference started, BCAS Members and guests enjoyed a Networking breakfast.

With over 50 years of involvement in BCAS in many capacities the time has now come to recognise Rogers Knight for his lifetime service to industry.

200 BCAS members and guests attended the BCAS 80th Anniversary BALL held at the SAVOY in London. The ball was a huge success and it presented BCAS in the best possible light.

As part of the BCAS 80th Anniversary celebrations throughout 2010, BCAS were pleased to host the Autumn series of PNEUROP meetings in London on 18 and 19 November.