The Council of the Oil & Colour Chemists' Association (OCCA) and the Board of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) have taken a major step towards repositioning themselves for the 21st Century, and cementing their reputation as the foremost learned Societies representing scientists and technologists in the worldwide surface coating industry
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Under resolutions agreed upon by the Board of FSCT on 18th May 2007 and by the Council of OCCA on 24th May 2007, FSCT and OCCA will develop the Strategic Alliance to cover all aspects of membership, publications, technical meetings and exhibitions of the two organisations. OCCA and FSCT have already combined their technical publications Journal of Coatings Technology Research and Surface Coatings International Part B: Coatings Transactions into a co-owned publication Journal of Coatings Technology and Research published by Springer Science + Business Media Ltd. While the Alliance will not change the corporate governance and executive structure of either organization, it does provide for increased benefits to members of both, including access to a Global membership network, increased internet services, and expanded delivery options of technical programmes and will enhance the objectives of OCCA and FSCT to serve the public benefit The Strategic Alliance will serve the educational needs of almost 6,000 coatings professionals in over 60 countries with the potential to expand the Alliance to include other coating societies worldwide.
As part of the Strategic Alliance, OCCA General Secretary Chris Pacey-Day will take on the role of Director for Global Policy.
"Both OCCA and FSCT have a long history of providing services to the coatings community and this alliance is a logical next step in providing a one-stop shop for professional coating scientists, and the profession of coating science throughout the world" said Stan Jones, President of OCCA. "Already the Journal of Coatings Technology Research and Surface Coatings International Part B: Coatings Transactions have been combined into a single publication (Journal of Coatings Technology and Research) available in print and internet editions. We anticipate that the steps which OCCA has now taken will make additional opportunities available to its members, through the Strategic Alliance".
Rose Ryntz, President of the FSCT says "this strategic alliance is the first big step in realizing the strategic vision of the FSCT to expand its international presence. The promotion and advancement of the Global Coatings Industry has long been a central part of the FSCT's mission. The formation of this alliance bringing together the experience and expertise of upwards of 6,000 coating professionals solidifies and enhances this mission. We expect that our membership and our organizations will benefit greatly through this alliance".