PTMA, the Irish Precision Turned Parts Manufacturing Association is an association of companies involved in manufacturing precision turned parts for a wide range of industries. Its principal aims are:
- the preservation and promotion of the economic interests of the members;
- to maintain and develop the industry of turned parts in Ireland;
- the promotion of vocational education and training;
- the joint establishment and implementation of projects and institutions in the interest of the industry;
- the promotion of friendly relations among its members.
To achieve these aims, the Association works closely with regional, national and international organizations.
Membership consists of three categories: ordinary members comprising manufacturers of turned parts; technical members comprising of companies or enterprises supplying, oil, tooling, materials etc. to ordinary member companies; and finally associate members comprising individuals such as marketing agents, consultants or representatives from education or other relevant bodies.
The Association is affiliated to the Syndicat International du Décolletage (SID), which is the International Association representing the high volume turned parts sector. SID is comprised of associations from the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland. SID hosts an International Congress in one of the constituent countries every second year. Ireland hosted the Congress in 2001 and is scheduled to host it again in 2018. At the Congress papers on problems relevant to the industry are presented and visits are made to local turned part manufacturing companies. This gives individual members the opportunity to observe how manufacturing in the sector is carried on internationally and to benchmark accordingly.
