MPMA FAQ

As the Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA) brings together the legacies of AGMA and ABMA, members and industry partners often have questions about how the alliance operates and what it means for the power transmission community. 

Below you’ll find answers to common questions about the formation of MPMA, governance, membership, committees, and the future of the industry’s leading trade associations. 

If you don’t see your question listed, please contact the MPMA team for additional information. 

What is happening between AGMA and ABMA?

The two 501 C (6) trade associations are merging into a new parent trade association called the Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA).  The MPMA will be a stand alone non-profit with its own Employment Identification Number (EIN), combining the revenues and expenses of both the AGMA and ABMA into one single entity for tax purposes. 

Why are AGMA and ABMA forming the MPMA?

The two, separate, independent Boards of Directors unanimously agreed that the industry is coming together through mergers and acquisitions, and after 18 years of collaboration between the two 108+ year old associations, it made sense to come together as one to focus on joint efforts. 

What will change with the new MPMA?

The MPMA will focus on all issues and opportunities impacting the power transmission industry including standards, workforce, advocacy, emerging technologies, business connections and networking.  Combined, MPMA will have more than 35 classes focused on all aspects of mechanical power transmission, create and maintain more than 200 standards and information sheets, produce Gear Technology, Power Transmission Engineering and Motion + Power Technology Expo, as well as the Fall Technical Meeting and Annual Meeting.

What’s in it for me?  How does this support my company?

Bringing together the brightest minds, companies and leading innovators from both the gears and bearings world will provide opportunities for members to align customer responses, standardize the performance requirements across both components, enhance education experience with a broadened focus, and connect leaders across the mechanical power transmission space. 

Will the names of the organizations change?

No.  The MPMA is a parent organization designed to unite the industry to focus on matters of shared importance.  Both Boards of Directors felt strongly that both the AGMA and ABMA brands are powerful in the market, and members should continue to use these names as identifiers with customers and suppliers.  The MPMA staff team will be encouraging members to continue to leverage the AGMA logo and name, and the ABMA logo and name, in any marketing materials or promotional efforts.

In addition, regarding standards, the naming of the standards for both organizations will continue to be AGMA and ABMA standards and information sheets at both the ANSI and ISO levels. 

Will my dues increase or be impacted by the merger?

There will be no dues changes to AGMA Members. The ABMA is adopting the AGMA dues structure for Suppliers, End Users, Consultants and Academics. Manufacturing companies with joint membership in both AGMA and ABMA will receive a discount. ABMA members that are over the AGMA Maximum Dues over time will be aligned with AGMA’s dues formula.

In the future, the new Board will continue to make dues decisions taking into considerations the normal variables of the economy, budget and goals for the combined entity. 

Will there be a new Board of Directors?

Yes.  The AGMA and ABMA Boards will unite under one governance structure.  For two years, the new MPMA Board will include all of the current Board Members from AGMA and ABMA.  For the next two years, as Board seats expire, MPMA will not add any new Board Members.  In 2027, The MPMA Nominating Committee will begin to follow the normal process of seeking candidates that meet the full spectrum of power transmission companies including gearing companies, bearing companies, private and public entities, open gearing companies, etc. 

Will there be an Executive Committee?

Yes.  Following a similar construct as the Board, for two years, the Executive Committee will be the same group that is currently leading AGMA and ABMA, respectively.  In year one, an AGMA leader will be the Chair and in year two, an ABMA leader will be the Chair.  In 2027, MPMA will begin following the normal 2-2-2 pattern of a Treasurers, Chair and Past Chair governance model.  In addition, there will be two “at large” seats on the Executive Committee.  One will focus on technical programs and one will focus on business programs.