The European Power Transmission Distributors Association (EPTDA) has a new Board of Directors, elected by the general assembly of members at the 10-year anniversary and annual convention held in Brussels.

Manfred Beitel of WLB Antriebselemente Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Germany is now the association's president for the next two years. Before joining the EPTDA in 2001, he was a member of the U.S. affiliate organization, the PTDA. "I am keen on leading this successful association into its new decade," Beitel says. "After 10 years of existence, EPTDA can be proud of its exceptional development and growth. I trust that, together with the Board of Directors and the continuous support of our members, EPTDA has a bright future ahead."

The new Board of Directors includes David Bassas Del Rey of Tecnotrans, Spain as the first vice president; John Westerling of S&N Osakeyhtiö, Finland as treasurer; and Karl Weindinger of ContiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH, Germany as manufacturer council chair. As directors at large, the general assembly appointed David Harro of Godiva Bearings, U.K.; Henrik Göpert of AB Sverull, Sweden; Mehmet Ali Ülgen of Silkar Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Turkey; and Dick Winkelhuis of Spruit Transmissies, The Netherlands.

Roberto Cugnaschi, the immediate past president of EPTDA, says "EPTDA aims to stand as the voice of the PT/MC industry and offers a unique, strong and steady platform for networking, exchanging ideas and seeking support in difficult times."