Noria’s 12th annual Reliable Plant Conference and Exhibition, held from April 19 to 21 at Columbus, Ohio, was considered a big success by many of the more than 1,100 participants who took part this year.
The international conference is the premier event for plant management, lubrication and reliability professionals. The conference showcased a broad coverage of products and services for attendees, along with multiple break-out sessions to learn more about the oil analysis, reliability and lean manufacturing fields.
This year’s keynote speaker was Vince Lombardi Jr., who opened the general assembly with his enthusiasm and sharp wit, sharing and drawing on key elements from his father’s legacy, as well as his own.
More than 1,100 participants were able to find solutions
from 70 plus different companies in the busy exhibit hall.
Many of the participants expressed how this year’s conference had more perks than previous years.
“We saved over $50 thousand with the ideas we took home from Reliable Plant 2010. We could not afford to miss Reliable Plant 2011; we have another bucket of ideas we are taking home this year,” said Brian Wommack, reliability engineer, Power Partners Inc.
“The conference was really interesting for me because I come from Belgium and I can see different points of view about lubrication, different methods and different tips to make a great lubrication plan,” said Apruzzese Jochim, reliability engineer with I-CARE.
This year’s Driven To Win grand prize winner was Jerry Sanders of Michelin, who took home a new utility ATV from the 2011 Noria conference.
Jerry Sanders, left, of Michelin, received this year's Driven to Win
grand prize, a new utility ATV.
“Thanks for scheduling presenters that have fought in the trenches, won the war, and are willing to share their experiences,” said Sanders, a reliability engineer with Michelin.
As in past conferences, attendees were able to take part in more than 70 sessions, including topics like effective lubrication storage, how to read an oil analysis report, modifying equipment for precision lubrication, how to introduce a new reliability program, how to sell maintenance to upper management, lean manufacturing and more.
Attendees were able to take part this year in more than 70 sessions designed to teach them
more about the lubrication, oil analysis, reliability and lean manufacturing fields.
“I value Noria’s efforts and successes in providing a forum for industry professionals where they can share their contamination control experiences. Method teaching is the name of the game!,” said Christian Bauer, staff scientist at Pall Corporation.
More than 70 different companies took part this year as vendors in the Reliable Plant Exhibit Hall.
“Interaction with other delegates provided a wealth of information. Exhibitors were very informative and had the latest technology. Even if you think you know a subject, the conference sessions provided new ideas,” said Dave Lander, PDM and mechanical supervisor, Clarion Boards, Inc.
Expect more excitement and learning possibilities at next year’s Reliable Plant 2012 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled from May 1-3 in Indianapolis, Ind.
