Your Success Today,Our Industry’s Success TomorrowCanada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661Volume 1, Issue 1WorldinMotionSpring 2019The official publication of the Canadian Fluid Power AssociationYour4 www.cfpa.ca • Premiere IssueCanadian Fluid Power Association ❚ Spring 2019 ❚ 5contentsPublished For: Canadian Fluid Power Association 146 Delarmbro Drive Erin, ON N0B 1T0 Phone: (519) 833-7417 info@cfpa.ca www.cfpa.caPublished By: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Return all undeliverable addresses to: 309 Youville Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2S9 Toll-Free: (866) 999-1299 Toll-Free Fax: (866) 244-2544 sales@matrixgroupinc.net www.matrixgroupinc.netPresident & CEO Jack AndressOperations Manager Shoshana Weinberg sweinberg@matrixgroupinc.netPublisher Jessica Potter jpotter@matrixgroupinc.netEditor-in-Chief Shannon Savory ssavory@matrixgroupinc.netSenior Editor Alexandra Kozub akozub@matrixgroupinc.netFinance/Administration Pat Andress, Nathan Redekop, Lloyd Weinberg accounting@matrixgroupinc.netDirector of Circulation & Distribution Lloyd Weinberg distribution@matrixgroupinc.netSales Manager - Winnipeg Neil GottfredSales Manager - Hamilton Jeff CashMatrix Group Publishing Inc. Account Executives Andrew Lee, Bonnie Petrovsky, Brenda McPhee, Brian MacIntyre, Cheryl Klassen, Christina Di Manno, Colleen Bell, Frank Kenyeres, Jim Hamilton, Julie Welsh, Kaitlyn Murray, Kevin Harris, Renée Kent, Rob Gibson, Sandra Kirby, Selina Mills, Tanina Di Piazza, Tenisha Myke, Terri Erkelens Layout & Design Kayti Taylor Advertising Design James Robinson©2019 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher.UP FRONT 06 A Letter from the Chairman of the Canadian Fluid Power Association 07 A Letter from the Vice-Chairperson of the Canadian Fluid Power Association 08 IFPS Certification & Why It’s Important 10 Challenge Accepted: From Detroit to the Canadian National Fluid Power Challenge 15 Tendances économiques dans l’industrie canadienne d’énergie des fluides / Economic Trends in the Canadian Fluid Power IndustryFEATURES 19 Tactics on How to Grow Your Fluid Power Social Media Following 22 Sizing Considerations for Nitrogen GeneratorsNEWS & VIEWS 25 Meet the CFPA: Director Profiles 27 Benefits of CFPA Membership 28 Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Events 30 Index to Advertisers Premiere IssueVolume 1, Issue 16 www.cfpa.ca • Premiere IssueHello, and welcome to the Canadian Fluid Power Association’s (CFPA) publication, Your World in Motion. This is the very first edition of this magazine, which is championed by Josh Cosford, our director of communications. There are many other fluid power-oriented publications in circulation, but none offers a uniquely Canadian perspective like Your World in Motion will.This is a free publication with a wide circulation that will reach, and be made available to, all related industries and associations. All CFPA members are encouraged to use this publication as a platform to contribute any articles or opinions they would like to share with readers, and if so inclined, to advertise their business or achievements.This is an exciting time to launch this publication. With fluid power technology continually evolving over the decades, Your World in Motion will be available to keep you on top of new developments. I recall, years ago, someone calling fluid power technology “a bit of a dinosaur.” Nothing could be further from the truth today. With the wide integration of electronic controls, fluid power technology today can be applied to do work in a much more efficient, accurate, repeatable, and safe manner than just a decade ago. Fluid power is still the most power dense solution for controlling motion and getting work done. With size and weight becoming a bigger factor in equipment design, actuators are getting smaller and working pressures are getting higher, delivering the same punch in a much smaller, smarter package.Through many channels, I try to keep myself—if not totally up-to-date—at the very least, keenly aware of the latest trends and technologies in fluid power. Your World in Motion magazine will hopefully become a one-stop resource for like-minded individuals to keep up on the factors impacting our industry, whether they’re technological, social, economical, or educational. With messages, features, and white papers submitted by the CFPA board of directors, committees, and members, you will get a truly Canadian perspective on these and other matters.The CFPA board of directors is comprised of dedicated individuals from our industry, and they, along with the committee members, have volunteered their time, on your behalf, to further the fluid power cause in Canada. As an association, we do our best to stay abreast of the situations that impact our industry. The CFPA welcomes any and all input from members. Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the directors and share concerns or general requests you would like considered by the CFPA, and we will do our best to address them. We are your voice.One of our common goals is to have the fluid power industry recognized for its importance and contribution to the Canadian economy. I find it amazing that fluid power, for all it continues to offer and provide society, is still so unknown. People do not seem to realize how much fluid power has touched almost every aspect of their day-to-day, modern life. From the food they eat, to the transportation methods they rely on, to the appliances they use—I could go on—fluid power technology contributes to the process of making their lives better.This leads to one of our largest concerns as an industry: the lack of educational programs in Canada offering a pure fluid power program at the post-secondary level. There is still a good number of us who came from such an educational background, but that number is getting smaller; as the years go by, there is currently no plan to fill the coming void. This is one of the biggest challenges the CFPA will have to deal with in the very near future.Well my time is up, both on this message and as chairman of the CFPA. With the intent of keeping the CFPA executive fresh with new ideas and direction, I recently put through a motion to limit the CFPA’s chairman term to two consecutive years. At the board of directors meeting the day before the annual general meeting, I will pass the chairman’s torch to vice-chairperson Caryes Allan. I wish her the best during her term as chair. I know she will do a fantastic job.It is, and was, a great honour to be elected chairman of the association by my peers. I hope I was worthy of their trust in me. I will remain on as a director on the board and will continue to fight the good fight for us all.I find it amazing that fluid power, for all it continues to offer and provide society, is still so unknown. People do not seem to realize how much fluid power has touched almost every aspect of their day-to-day, modern life.Antonio Franco (Frank) Pirri ChairmanCanadian Fluid Power AssociationLetter from the Chairmanup frontCanadian Fluid Power Association ❚ Spring 2019 ❚ 7My name is Caryes Allan, and I am the vice-chairperson of the Canadian Fluid Power Association (CFPA). I am also the vice-president of Higginson Equipment Inc., a cylinder manufacturer and fluid power distributor in Burlington, Ontario. My work experience in the fluid power industry spans over a decade, with my main focus having been on finance and human resources. Recently, I’ve taken on roles related to production planning and plant management. My passion within the association lies with education and the importance of imparting our next generation of fluid power professionals with not only the awareness of our industry but also hands-on experience to inspire them with confidence. Most Generation Z and those in the upcoming Generation Alpha (children of Millennials) have no idea what fluid power is, and our vocation does a poor job of creating the exposure. I want to be part of the change that makes fluid power, once again, an attractive career path.It’s no secret the fluid power industry is “stale, pale, and male,” so as a young female in the fluid power industry, I’m proud of my position within the CFPA. As we capture the interest of the younger generation, my goal is to bring more diversity to an industry previously lacking. This is why my mission is to grow our Fluid Power Challenges exponentially.Just a few short years ago, when I joined the association and signed up to be on the education committee, our Canadian Fluid Power Challenge was localized to the Toronto area, with about 26 local schools competing in teams of four. The Fluid Power Challenge is the legacy of John Bachmann, who, as the creator, has been passionately promoting, organizing, and leading the challenges since their inception. With the help of our education committee, which is co-chaired by me and Sylvain Desjardins, we have expanded our program to more schools and nationwide involvement.Today, we offer two separate Fluid Power Challenges, now called the Toronto Fluid Power Challenge for the local competition, and our National Fluid Power Challenge, which spans the entire country. Our Toronto Challenge has grown to 36 schools, with almost 150 students participating, and we’re working on expanding to more than one venue to support renewed interest in engineering. The infancy of our National Challenge has not stopped it from exploding to over 300 students, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. So successful is the Fluid Power Challenge concept that it was adopted by the National Fluid Power Association, which held 86 events in 2017, engaging 8,735 students across the United States. As the CFPA works more closely with the National Fluid Power Association and the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS), we will bring more concepts, more events, and more education to the Canadian masses. One day, we hope to expand our involvement in the university and college level with more advanced versions of the Fluid Power Challenge, and we will continue to expand our certification offerings through the IFPS. It’s my personal mission to grow this association in both membership and national reach, as we influence the younger generation and plant seeds that will blossom into vibrant and strong members of our industry. However, I can’t do it alone; I need your help. Serving so many young minds takes time, money, and motivation. Join me on the education committee and get involved to share your passion for fluid power. If you can’t commit your time, sponsor a school to provide them with a fluid power kit required for entry into the competition. With your help, we can fill the pipeline with fluid power professionals who will one day grow your business. Serving so many young minds takes time, money, and motivation. Join me on the education committee and get involved to share your passion for fluid power.Caryes AllanVice-ChairpersonCanadian Fluid Power AssociationLetter from the Vice-Chairpersonup front8 www.cfpa.ca • Premiere Issuerofessional certification offers numerous benefits that the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) has detailed many times since the inception of its specialist certification in 1980. However, certified individuals can provide a unique perspective on how they personally benefit from their certifications. Shape your careerDavid H. Knight, CFPS, from Parker Hannifin has been a certified fluid power specialist (CFPS) since 1992. “Achieving IFPS certification helped me realize that my work isn’t just a job; it’s truly a profession that needs the services of people who really understand hydraulic and pneumatic systems, in addition to the business side of things,” says Knight. “I’ve used my IFPS certifications as building blocks to climb ladders in the various positions I’ve held.”Scott Gower, CFPS, CFPEC, has also certainly seen the advantages of being certified. In fact, it landed him a job! As his family was growing, Gower realized he needed a higher paying job. “I built a resume to post online, and Monster.com allows just five words to describe your experience to a prospective employer. Realizing that putting, ‘super-awesome, smart, By Donna Pollander, ACA, Executive Director, International Fluid Power SocietyfeatureIFPS Certification andCertified personnel can also benefit their organizations, as employees gain an improved ability to ensure both safety and reliability and deliver quality assurance.Canadian Fluid Power Association ❚ Spring 2019 ❚ 9an improved ability to ensure both safety and reliability and deliver quality assurance. Hydraquip in Houston, Texas, is a long-time supporter of IFPS certification and encourages its employees to seek the certification that is appropriate to their jobs. “Our power solutions employees are encouraged to become certified fluid power hydraulic specialists (CFPHS),” explains Hydraquip’s president, Tim Nichols, CFPS. Nichols has been certified since 1994. “Our service and repair technicians are factory-trained and are also certified fluid power mobile mechanics (CFPMHM). Several of our hose and couplings salespeople have the hydraulic specialist designation, as well. These certifications are so important that we pay for the training and the testing, and we will increase an employee’s wage by five per cent once the employee has obtained certification.”Greg Loew is the fleet manager for Avista Utilities in Spokane, Washington. In his experience, IFPS certification has resulted in reduced downtime, extended asset life, and major cost savings on the bottom line.“We highly value having our mechanics IFPS-certified,” says Loew. “It provides Avista Utilities with substantial cost savings to maintain our equipment in-house. The CFPMHM certification provides us with the level of confidence we need so we are not reliant on outsourced repairs. Our certified mechanics are significantly more capable and better trouble-shooters—getting things done correctly the first time.”Alan Wheatley, a 30-year fluid power professional and general manager of Fluid Power House in Toronto, Ontario, is a certified fluid power specialist and engineer. Graduating in 1988, he entered the fluid power industry immediately upon graduation and worked his way through opportunities, including engineering, sales, and sales management. Most recently, he has become the general manager of the successful fluid power distributor and service facility. Now, with a new perspective on employee hiring and retention, he sees the value in fluid power certification from IFPS for his employees. “There is great difficulty in finding good, technical people in our industry,” says Wheatley. “A clear separator between a good and great technical employee is the fluid power certification program. I can quickly determine from the resume if the potential hire will meet my requirements, and I have found that employees with the additional IPFS training are a definite benefit in providing immediate returns to the company.”Give yourself a competitive advantageWhether you are an individual seeking certification to prove your competence or gain confidence in your work or an employer eager to prove your dedication to a safe and reliable workforce, IFPS can help. IFPS certifies thousands of fluid power professionals each year and serves as the industry standard for assessing the knowledge and skill level of your employees, which can provide you with a safe and competitive advantage. It allows future employers to validate the knowledge and experience that a potential employee brings. It also provides an unbiased, third-party endorsement of that skill and knowledge. Certification demonstrates competency, motivation, and dedication that is important in a highly technical field. cool guy’ probably wouldn’t cut it, I chose four: Certified Fluid Power Specialist. Perfect—it fit the job requirements and provided something akin to a college degree: instant credibility,” he recalls. “I flew down for an interview and was offered the job two weeks later. In December 2016, I started my 14th year with the company.” Gower has been certified since 2002. I’ve heard many stories like this in my 20-plus years working within the fluid power industry. It makes me proud every time I hear something like it.Benefit yourself and your companyCertified personnel can also benefit their organizations, as employees gain WhyIt’s ImportantNext >