Business View Magazine - July 2023

145 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 CONVEYOR EQUI PMENT MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIAT ION (OR CEMA) It’s remarkable to think how the modern world really does run on conveyors, as they observed. Where would we and our economies be without them? From minerals to agricultural materials, from the baggage carousel to the people-movers at the airport, from food production to grocery store warehouses to recycling centers, from moving countless items in bulk to receiving them via the various e-retailers and shipping companies–– it all comes down to the same device. “Think about it,” said Solis. “Every day, conveying equipment is more and more ubiquitous. Everything we touch every day––there’s nothing that doesn’t come off of a conveyor of some kind.” These industry insiders spoke of how CEMA is promoting the standardization of design, safety, manufacture and application in the conveying industry, all on a voluntary basis and so as not to impede the innovation of conveying equipment and component parts or lessen competition. “Competition is good,” Solis noted with a smile. “CEMA members agree voluntarily to participate in industry and design standards for conveyor equipment.” We also discussed new developments in conveyor design, technology and application. And Solis noted that he and his colleagues promote the common interests of CEMA members and the conveyor industries throughout the Americas. “We’re all throughout the Western Hemisphere,” he said. “In 2014, the decision was made to include all the Americas. Our standards have become the gold standard, in North, Central and South America, and around the world.” And it’s an auspicious time to talk about CEMA, as the association has an important birthday coming up: its 90th. The year it all began The year 1933 was a pivotal one in many ways. Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany, and Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in as the 32nd president of the United States. Prohibition was repealed. The first drive-in cinema opened in New Jersey, and in New York, the first singing telegram was sent. Meanwhile, in Chicago, the idea came about for an organized, professional association representing the interests of manufacturers of material-handling and elevating machinery. CEMA’s formative years saw many landmark events at home and abroad, as the world moved toward war. And when America came to the aid of the Free World, CEMA was there. In response