HISTORY

In 1967, and again in 1970, successful wire exhibitions had been held in London.

Four key figures in the UK industry had the foresight to realise that this field of engineering deserved much more focus and representation to promote its products more efficiently to both local and international markets.

This was considered even more desirable given the advent of the European Common Market.

Accordingly, John Buckley, John Hogg, Bill Merchant and Roy Molyneux formed the Wire Machinery Association (WMA) as a trade association to represent the interests of companies involved in the production and processing machinery for wire, cable and wire products.

From these modest beginnings was born what was to develop into the global organisation that the IWMA has become today.

John Hogg was elected as the first chairman in 1970 before being succeeded by Roy Molyneux in 1971. John Buckley was to serve as honorary treasurer from 1974 to 1980, and Bill Merchant was on the executive board for a number of years in the 1970s.

An inaugural meeting of the WMA took place in Birmingham, England, in June 1971. The WMA was founded as a not-for-profit corporate association, and an annual membership fee of £100 per company was set.

At this meeting a constitution was adopted, and the association embarked on a campaign to recruit companies over the next three years, securing both UK and overseas members.

A total of 44 companies were founder members of the WMA. At the 1976 annual general meeting, the membership approved the change of name from Wire Machinery Association to the International Wire & Machinery Association.

In 2010 the association celebrated its 40th anniversary and to help celebrate this landmark milestone, a  commemorative booklet was published – 'History of Achievement, Positive Future'.

A commemorative booklet was published to celebrate the occasion.




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