54
Reflections on the EFDA presidency
by Bernhard Berrang
This year Bernhard Berrang came to the end of his term of office as president of the European Fastener Distributors
Association. As he organised the transfer of office to the new EFDA president, Steve Auld, we invited him to write an article
looking back at the development of the EFDA and presenting some thoughts about its future. The invitation was accepted
and we are delighted to present the reflections of a man widely acknowledged to have demonstrated consummate skill and
unfailing consideration throughout his term of office.
When I took the office in 2004 all EFDA I would also like to express my thanks to my also increasingly influences our business.
delegates agreed that EFDA should continue to vice president, Steve Auld, for his loyalty and Globalisation also means exploring other
be run as a lean organisation, an umbrella, support. continents, their markets and the colleagues
regrouping the leading European fastener During my term as EFDA president, I and associations working there.
distributor associations in France, particularly focused on the expansion of the After successfully building and cultivating
Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain. platform EFDA represents to enhance contacts the relations between EFDA and TFTA and
So aside from the secretary, there are no on an international level. This is one key target establishing a transatlantic cooperation with
tools, no reservoir of people to do things. The of our association. In that respect the second the distributors of NFDA in North America,
funds are controlled by the national European Conference of 2006 in Stratford- EFDA was also able to get in contact with the
organisations and herewith they provide the upon-Avon was a big success, not only since Chinese manufacturers, the Chinese Fasteners
resources to carry through various projects. over 70 European distributors from 10 nations Industry Association (CFIA), last summer.
During my work for EFDA, I always enjoyed met in England, but also because we had EFDA’s presence at the 2007 annual
the goodwill and support of the delegates of awakened the interest of other associations conference of CFIA strengthened the young
the national associations and the help of like the Taiwan Fastener Trading Association relationship and was followed by mutual visits
EFDA’s secretary Bernd Stapf. This is another (TFTA) and the National Fastener Distributors with the international associations in China,
good occasion to thank him for his passionate Association (NFDA) in the USA who sent their Europe, Taiwan and the USA. That way a
cooperation in organising and coordinating own delegation to our meeting. worldwide network among the fastener
information, and giving his valued advice. Globalisation is one of the challenges which distribution industry is being created.
Furthermore an agreement between
NFDA, TFTA and EFDA defining the
targets and basis of cooperation
could be concluded.
Thanks to the Fastener
Fair exhibition in Stuttgart,
the EFDA was able to
enhance the image and
international recognition
of the distribution industry,
as well as present itself to
a wider public. EFDA
made new contacts that
will benefit the national
associations. The EFDA is
likewise open to the
industry in the East,
where national interest
groups will surely be
formed and which are
cordially invited to
become EFDA members.
Next to strengthening
EFDA’s international
contacts, I emphasised
the improvement of
relations to the European
manufacturers association
EIFI. In spite of the various
procurement concepts among
Bernhard Berrang (right) handing over to Steve Auld
the distribution companies
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