MESA International and WBF Announce Definitive Merger Agreement

May 23, 2012
Merger links key services of each manufacturing association to expand operations management capabilities.

MESA International and WBF -- the Organization for Production Technology announced this week that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement.

The merger will unite the two organizations' wide range of services, resulting in a greatly expanded network of programs and offerings to help improve the operations management capabilities for members and deliver greater value to industry partners, said the companies.

"By merging with WBF, we will extend our penetration into the process industries," explained MESA Chairman John Southcott. "At the same time, the merger provides WBF members access to MESA's world-class content, global education programs, and an expansive network of solution providers and system integrators."

"It is a winning solution for both organizations, with our combined capabilities and resources making us stronger and more valuable for our member population," he said.

MESA is a community of manufacturers, producers, industry leaders and solution providers focused on improving business results and production operations by optimizing application and implementation of technology and best management practices.

On the other side of the deal, WBF is an association dedicated to supporting the process automation and operations needs of the technical and management professionals in process manufacturing, explained Bill Wray, WBF chairman.

Combined, the wide array of expertise these organizations present promise to create an impressive toolbox of services to help manufacturers better compete in today's market.

One particular value in the merge, the companies said, is in the connection of several complimentary operations of each organization. Specifically, it will link up MESA's Plant-to-Enterprise (P2M) strategy which allows executives to monitor and metric production in real time across the enterprise, with WBF's business to manufacturing markup language (B2MML), which integrates business and manufacturing systems.

"MESA's focus in P2M," explained Dennis Brandl, WBF secretary. "B2MML is the standard that makes that happen. In essence, MESA brings the 'what' and 'why' of operations management; WBF brings the 'how.'"

"Together we are able to link enterprise goals with plant floor realities. That is a powerful proposition for our organizations and our member community."

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