A Letter From Douglas K. Woods, President, AMT

AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology has made the decision to no longer continue its role as the Standards Development Organization (SDO) for the B11 series of standards. The association is in the process of refocusing its efforts in order to enhance its support to members in areas of more pressing concern and greatest impact on our membership.

AMT will continue to participate in B11 efforts — the association will retain its position on the Accredited Standards Committee of B11. However, it will be relinquishing its Secretariat position in the development of standards, and will be disbanding its Standards Department, which is a part of AMT’s Technology Department.

AMT remains committed to offering member support on standards issues, and during the transition of the Secretariat role and beyond, resources will be available for any member with a need for standards-related assistance. AMT will offer such support on a continual basis, either through in-house staff or by the use of outside experts as necessary.

As the needs of the industry have evolved, AMT is adjusting its focus accordingly. This includes working to forge coherent government policy for the manufacturing industry, promoting innovation, and bringing about collaboration within the manufacturing community. Additionally, AMT feels that as the industry has evolved into a global realm, standards would be best handled by an internationally focused entity.

Meanwhile, AMT’s Technology Department will reposition its resources to address emerging technology needs and find ways that will allow members to utilize them in the best possible way. The emphasis will be on helping members embrace new technologies so that they can keep their businesses moving forward.

Within in the next few months, AMT will be working with Mr. Dave Felinski in establishing a new organization, apart from AMT, that will take on the role of SDO for B11 activities. This is being done to assure that the important responsibility of Secretariat to B11 is transferred to a highly capable new organization.

This decision was announced to the B11 Accredited Standards Committee at their recent meeting held at Boeing Corporation in Seal Beach, California.

More details will be coming about this change as AMT continues to evaluate the needs of its members. If you have any questions, you can contact Paul Warndorf, VP-Technology at AMT, by phone at (703) 827-5291 or email at pwarndorf@AMTonline.org.

Sincerely,

Douglas K. Woods
President, AMT

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