SOCMA Changes Name, Not Acronym
In an effort to better serve the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry, SOCMA members voted on March 19 to change the organization's name from the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association to the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates.
"This is the first time in our 88-year-long history that SOCMA has changed its name," said Board Chair Charlie Hinnant. "By formally reflecting the sector of the industry we've successfully represented for many years already, we can better help the industry and the public at large understand what our organization and members are all about. I'm pleased to be a part of this modernization."
Since its founding, the organization's overall charter has been to serve the synthetic organic chemical industry, despite recent decades of achievements in service to the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry. The adopted bylaw changes formally broaden activities to reflect service to the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry. All categories of membership are now available to companies involved in batch, custom, and specialty rather than just synthetic organic chemical manufacturing.
"When we look at our accomplishments over the last 20 years, we can proudly say we have moved forward the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry," Hinnant said at the March meeting. "We have done this by creating Informex; by creating and bringing along many small batch chemical manufacturers in ChemStewards, and we created the specialty batch chemical manufacturing sector under the EPA's sector strategies program."
SOCMA's work has and will continue to reflect its three strategic directions. These are:
- Accelerate members' growth by maximizing commercial and networking opportunities.
- Increase public confidence in the chemical industry.
- Influence the passage of rational laws and regulations that allow members to operate in a productive manner as good corporate citizens.