ASD committed to delivering value to its members and stakeholders through new partnership.

ROCKFORD, Ill., March 10, 2016—Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) has selected the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International® (FMA) to manage their association. ASD will continue to operate as an independent association, but will rely on FMA for management of its day-to-day affairs, membership relations and development, event planning, compliance and reporting issues, and general operation needs. For 73 years, ASD has been the leading organization for the steel distribution industry as its primary mission is to serve the needs of steel distribution companies and professionals.

“This partnership allows ASD to utilize core competencies of association management with a provider who better understands current challenges facing the steel and metals business,” says Brian Robbins, President of ASD and CEO of MidWest Materials, Inc. “SmithBucklin has been a valued association management partner for many years, however FMA’s experience and knowledge of manufacturing and the end markets our members serve is a combination that is unique and was a primary factor in our selection of them going forward.”

“Our team has a successful track record of managing related groups to the FMA such as the Tube & Pipe Association, International® (TPA), a technical affiliate of FMA, and the Outside Processors Council,” states Jim Warren, FMA’s Sr. Director of Member Services, Education and Foundation.

“We are delighted to be selected by ASD,” says Ed Youdell President and CEO at FMA. “We believe that our experience and infrastructure will be an asset to helping ASD grow and provide greater value to its members and industry stakeholders in both the short and long term.”

About ASD

The Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) is a vital information source for professionals in the steel distribution industry. Established in 1943, ASD has been a leader in the steel distribution industry for over 70 years providing a strong voice for programs that benefit its members and the industry as a whole. The Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) is a non-profit organization, whose primary mission is to serve the needs of the steel distribution industry’s professionals and to represent their interests.

ASD strives to provide high-quality information, education and networking to steel distribution professionals, increasing their success and strategic value within their businesses and to the manufacturing companies they serve.

About FMA

FMA is a professional organization with more than 2,500 members working together to improve the metal processing, fabricating and forming industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators, processors and equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events, and the FABTECH® trade show. The official publications of FMA include: The FABRICATOR®, The Tube & Pipe Journal®, STAMPING Journal®, Practical Welding Today®, The Fabricator en Espanol, and Canadian Metalworking / Canadian Fabricating & Welding. FMA serves members involved in the following processes: bending, blanking, cutting, drawing, extruding, fastening, finishing, leveling, piercing, punching, roll forming, shearing, slitting, spinning, straightening, stamping, swaging, and welding. FMA also has two technology affiliates, the Tube & Pipe Association, International (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating; and Sustainable Manufacturer Network, a group of members dedicated to deploying sustainable manufacturing practices. Membership spans the United States, Canada and Mexico and reaches into more than 30 other countries. Visit www.fmanet.org for more information.

# # #

Contact

Megan Paja
Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA)
815-227-8203
meganp@fmanet.org

Brian D. Robbins
MidWest Materials, Inc., CEO
Association of Steel Distributors, President
440-259-5200
BR@midwestmaterials.com