Are you a supplier, distributor or systems integrator of valves, actuators or controls? The Valve Manufacturers Association of America is a valuable resource for the industry. Not only is it a source for buyers, the organization provides educational programs and timely news articles in their publication, Valve Magazine, on the fluid power and fluid handling industry.

The Valve Manufacturers Association of America represents the interests of nearly 100 North American manufacturers of valves and actuators. Collectively, members account for approximately 80% of the total industrial valve shipments out of U.S. and Canadian facilities.

The North American valve industry supplies approximately 35% of worldwide valve demand, and VMA member companies employ 20,000 men and women directly in supporting jobs. VMA is the only organization exclusively serving U.S. and Canadian manufacturers of industrial valves, actuators and controls. Founded in 1938, VMA is headquartered in Washington, DC.

If you repair and rebuild valves and actuators... if you believe that safety, quality and good service go hand-in-hand... then you'll want to be a part of the Valve Repair Council, which advocates the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) approach to repair.

Have an employee new to the industry that needs training? VMA's Valves & Actuators 101, a course created specifically for newcomers to the industry, is ideally suited for recent graduates and engineers in the early stages of their careers. The next Valve Basics Seminar & Exhibition will be in Houston, March 6-7, 2012, and will include 10 hours of education, lessons on all major valve and actuator types, an interactive panel discussion on how to specify valves and actuators, a comprehensive take-home manual for reference.

VMA's valve and actuator training program, "Valve Ed”, is tailored to the educational needs of the next generation. You can also obtain a quick Introduction to the Valve Industry through the VMA Store. The electronic presentation has more than 100 slides and 16 additional pages of notes, and provides a simple way for new employees or students to learn about the industry.

U.S. or Canadian valve manufacturers and suppliers looking for personnel with experience in the industry, can utilize VMA’s online Career Center to post a job listing and those searching for a job can search the Jobs Database. And you can keep up on the latest news in the industry by checking out the Valve Industry Blog.

The Valve Industry Buyers Guide, a convenient online resource, features hundreds of listings and is organized to help you easily locate U.S. and Canadian valve, actuator and control manufacturers, as well as suppliers to the valve industry. You’ll find Tribute, Inc., a provider of distribution management software specifically designed for valve and fluid handling distributors, on this list as well.