IMF SURFACE FINISHING THE WORLD SINCE 1925

Institute of Material Finishing (IMF) Surface finishing the world since 1925

The Institute of Materials Finishing was founded in 1925, its title then being the Electroplaters and Depositors Technical Society.

The area of interest broadened into all aspects of surface finishing on metal when it assumed the title of the Institute of Metal Finishing in 1951. In 2013 the name was changed to the Institute of Materials Finishing to embrace all technologies of surface finishing on a much wider variety of materials. Its main purpose is to disseminate technical information by means of technical publications, meetings, and conferences. Over the coming issues we are going to give you an insight into the IMF and what we do. Many of you are aware we do training courses but we also have different groups that when you become a member you can join.

We are always keen to have new people join our groups; these include:

Education and Training Examination and Qualification Board

Publications

Science

Marketing and Membership

As well as 3 branches one in Ireland, Sheffield and North East and Southern.

The Groups and Branches hold their meetings every 4 – 6 weeks, meeting mainly held via Zoom.

This month’s focus is on Marketing and Membership or M&M’s

So, what is the M & M’s you might ask? Well, I asked myself the same question when I was asked to join the committee of this particular sub section of the IMF. M & M stands for Membership & Marketing and its purpose is to look into how the IMF can market itself and to find ways to improve the membership and put forward new ideas to encourage new membership. After being in the M & M’s for about 1 year I was asked if I would like to be Chairman, a position I decided to give a go and have thoroughly enjoyed. The committee consists of myself and 4 others together with Helen who kindly takes all the minutes and Karen who supplies all the information on membership & education. Our meetings take place approximately every 3 – 4 weeks and are usually quite lively and I think enjoyable. (I must admit I haven’t heard anything to the contrary or they are too courteous to tell me). We have recently moved from Birmingham City Centre to a new premises in Coleshill.

If anyone would be interested in joining the committee and feel they can bring some new bright ideas to the IMF then please contact Helen Wood (helen@materailsfinishing.org) who will pass on your interest. We do not bite and would certainly make you very welcome. John Burgess FIMF M&M Chairman