NFPA, FPDA and IFPS Determine Framework for Collaboration

by Eric Lanke
NFPA CEO

The leadership of the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), the FPDA Motion and Control Network (FPDA), and the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) meet regularly to discuss how our three organizations can enhance our working partnership for the benefit of the fluid power industry. We recognize that confusion exists as to the purposes and intersections of our three organizations, so we work together to build a common framework that can be used to define and shape appropriate areas of collaboration. This framework contains two important dimensions:

1. First, while all three organizations pursue a number of strategic priorities in order to fulfill their missions, the nature and scope of those priorities vary by organization.
   • For NFPA, they are largely focused on shaping the marketplace in which its members exist;
   • For FPDA, they are largely focused on shaping the forum in which its members learn and connect;
   • And for IFPS, they are largely focused on shaping the skills and knowledge of technical fluid power professionals.
2. Second, while all three organizations connect with many different types of companies and professionals, each has a primary focus within that diverse industry network.
   • For NFPA, that focus is on company executives at fluid power component and system manufacturers;
   • For FPDA, it is on sales and marketing professionals at fluid power distributors and system integrators;
   • And for IFPS, it is on fluid power technicians and engineers at companies across the supply chain.

Viewing the three organizations along these lines helps to delineate their distinct zones of focus and influence and emphasizes the reason three organizations make sense for the fluid power industry. The intersection points where collaboration serves the interests of NFPA, FPDA, and IFPS members also become much clearer. As our three organizations continue to pursue their own strategies, we will work together where it makes sense to do so according to this framework.

Below you will find a link to a PDF document to help you better understand our efforts.

Access PDF here.

Comments from NFPA members are welcome. Please direct your feedback to my attention at elanke@nfpa.com or (414) 778-3351.