Filter Manufacturers Council Marks 30 Years as the Filter Industry's Voice

Research Triangle Park, N.C. - For 30 years, the Filter Manufacturers Council (FMC) has served as the voice for the filter industry - from proactive environmental initiatives to roundtable discussions of current issues.

Formed in 1971, FMC is a product line group of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). FMC represents manufacturers of vehicular and industrial filtration products.

Current FMC officers are chairman - Larry Curtis, vice president-aftermarket sales, ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket-Purolator; vice chairman - Joe Marlow, vice president-sales and marketing, Fleetguard-Nelson Inc., Nashville, Tenn.; secretary - Kathleen Edge, marketing services manager, Parker Hannifin/Racor, Modesto, Calif.; treasurer - Doug Parnell, vice president-sales and marketing, SPX Filtran, Des Plaines, Ill. Brent Hazelett serves as FMC executive director.

The Council's activities include its used filter hotline and database, government relations, educational initiatives, industry statistics and committee meetings. FMC meets in the fall and spring to discuss current issues which affect members' day-to-day business operations.

Used Filter Hotline and Database

One in two used oil filters in the United States - 50% - was recycled in 1999, according to an FMC survey. The used filter hotline and database - available at www.filtercouncil.org - is an important resource for increasing environmental awareness. The Used Filter Hotline and Database provides commercial generators of used oil filters with a regulatory summary of their states' used oil filter management standards, a list of companies providing used-filter management services and instructional and educational brochures.

An effort to promote used oil filter recycling to the do-it-yourself (DIY) automotive repair market is currently in the planning stage. The DIY campaign is expected to kick off in late 2001.

Government Relations

FMC monitors proposed and enacted regulations and laws. The Council comments to federal and state government and regulatory agencies to help assure that the final regulations and laws are practical, economical and cost-effective.

Industry Statistics

FMC offers its members the most up-to-date, high quality industry data. The data is also used in FMC's educational efforts.

Committee Activities

FMC has three standing committees: environmental, technical and catalog. The environmental committee cooperates with states as environmental laws and regulations are developed. FMC's technical committee produces technical service bulletins (TSBs) which are available at the FMC Web site for members' customers. The catalog committee shares information on cross-reference numbers for all automotive filters produced. The committees meet as needed through the year at locations around the country.