News from the European Powder Metallurgy Association: EPMA marks its tenthanniversary under conditions of increasing globalization of powder metallurgy

EPMA notes increasing shipments of West European powder metallurgy products in 1998 compared with 1988 Growth has been particularly strong in Germany, Switzerland Austria, and Spain. This is closely connected,vith the growth of automobile production. problems of automobile construction, including po wder metallurgy, were considered at a special EPMA seminar on 29 May 1999. The powder metallurgy specialists noted that there is a clear tendency towa rds globalization of automobile producing companies and their suppliers, in cluding powder metallurgy manufacturers. For further development of Europea n powder metallurgy the following are necessary: to be in closer touch with customers; to have a critical mass for research and development in order t o promote cutting edge technology, design, and engineering; a global presen ce and a leading market share, giving financial strength; the capability to design and supply systems; coordination of European demands for automobile parts with those in America; a decrease in the prices of high-quality powd ers for producing high-strength and dense parts; attainment of more competi tiveness of powder metallurgy production technology as in joining and proce ssing technologies.