Camfil Farr APC 2007 International Sales Meeting
Why is the industrial dust collection market poised for "explosive" growth? That was one of many questions addressed at the Camfil Farr APC International Sales Meeting held on November 9-10 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
More than 120 sales representatives from independent air filtration companies in 12 countries gathered at Camfil Farr APC's biggest-ever meeting in to learn about technical issues, new products, sales strategies and rep success stories.
A major focus of the meeting was an analysis of the new "National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting", which provides mandatory requirements for applications involving explosive dusts. The recent change from a "guideline" to a "standard" or requirement is echoed by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), which separately launched a National Emphasis Program focusing on the safe handling of combustible dusts. Related standards in Europe and Canada were also reviewed. These standards are very significant to the entire Camfil Farr APC distribution network, because thousands of plants will now have to purchase and install updated equipment to ensure regulatory compliance.
Camfil Farr APC president Lee Morgan headed up an intensive training session on how to apply the latest standards in different explosive applications, while Fike, a leader in fire, explosion and process solutions, showed videos and demonstrations of various explosion protection and fire suppression devices.
Armed with this knowledge, and with information from training sessions on numerous other topics, Camfil Farr APC reps are well positioned to deliver solutions to customers who need help with complex safety and environmental issues in a wide range of industries.
Products introduced at the meeting ranged from a new option package for the Farr Gold Series® cartridge collector (the company's flagship product line), to an electronic controller that will make it easier for end-users to monitor and control dust collector performance. Reps also received a hands-on tutorial on the "Super CD 2008", an updated, user-friendly tool for preparing quotes for customers in a timely fashion.
Accompanying the Super CD 2008 is the Customer CD 3.0, a "catalog-on-a-disk" chock full of comprehensive product information, technical data and specifications on the full Farr dust collection line. Camfil Farr CEO Alan O'Connell and executive chairman Jan Eric Larson were on hand to give the reps a global perspective on the worldwide organization of which Camfil Farr APC is a part. Local dignitaries including the mayor of Jonesboro and head of the local chamber of commerce also helped to launch the event.
The two-day conference ended on a lighter note, as teams of reps performed original skits that combined their newly-acquired technical knowledge with comic themes. Asked to comment on the sales meeting overall, participants used descriptions such as "successful", "motivating", "energetic", "informative", "team-building" and "packed with information". Hopefully, the momentum will continue and so will a growth pattern that is already proving to be (dare we say it?) - explosive!
The meeting was also noticed by the Jonesboro Sun, a local newspaper. View the story here (PDF).
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