30th Anniversary Celebrations for the International Marine Purchasing Association
This year sees the International Marine Purchasing Association celebrating its 30th Anniversary – three decades of promoting co-operation and understanding between purchaser and supplier and improving the art, science and practice of marine purchasing.
 As shipping itself has seen many major developments over the last 30 years, IMPA has also been through many changes since the Association was formed back in 1978. IMPA’s annual exhibition and conference has been a stand-out achievement over the years and has grown progressively into the leading event for marine purchasing and supply professionals. Over a thousand visitors from industry leading shipping companies attend the exhibition each year to actively source new products and services, and to create new business relationships through the ideal networking opportunity that the exhibition environment presents.
Continuing on the theme of change, the IMPA conference, which runs alongside the exhibition will this year centre around the history of shipping and what the future holds for the shipping industry. A series of keynote speeches and interactive presentations over the two days in September will also cover some of the key topics that are present in the global shipping industry, such as logistics, regulations & legislation, eCommerce and supplier relationships.
Another notable achievement for IMPA is their distance learning diploma in marine purchasing and supply. Three years ago IMPA recognised the increasing need for highly skilled and well trained personnel within the shipping industry and introduced the diploma in partnership with Lloyd’s Maritime Academy and the National Sea Training Centre.
Over the first two years, the diploma course saw an intake of over 100 students with an excellent overall pass rate achieved. The course is now starting its third year intake of students and IMPA are certain that the popularity of the course will continue well into the future.
One of IMPA’s long term objectives over the past 30 has been to increase their membership base of ship owners & managers and ship supply companies. This membership base has grown steadily over the last thirty years and now IMPA are proud to say that their database of members has increased to 400+ companies worldwide and includes some of the biggest names in shipping such as J. Lauritzen, GC Reiber Shipping and Wilhelmsen ASA.
IMPA was founded in 1978 by a group of senior purchasing executives in the shipping industry and today the IMPA council consists of eight members that are actively involved and employed in a senior marine purchasing capacity, whilst the remaining four members are employed in the marine manufacturing and supply business.
For further information and photographs please contact the following: Stephen Alexander, IMPA Secretariat Office – Tel: +44 (0)1206 798900 – Email: info@impa.net
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