President’s Podium

John Sander, Chair IMPORTANT NOTE: The CLGS exam will be given at the 2018 NLGI Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 12th at 10AM. Please contact nlgi@nlgi.org to enroll in this course.

In the world of maintenance and lubrication, several lubricant-related technical organizations now certify lubrication expertise. These include the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML), the Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers (STLE), and NLGI International. Each has an established program that documents the major criteria for demonstrating knowledge and skill in lubricants and lubrication practices. But only NLGI’s Certified Lubrication Grease Specialist program identifies those individuals who have true expertise in lubricating grease. The letters CLGS after one’s name signify both fundamental and extended knowledge of grease formulations, grease processing, grease testing and grease applications.

This is important because grease doesn’t behave like other lubricants. It typically is produced in a sophisticated reaction process (not simply blended like other lubricants), and it requires unique understanding to correctly formulate, test, select and apply. While the other programs focus primarily on fluid lubrication but include some lubricating grease fundamentals, the NLGI’s Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist program deals almost exclusively with lubricating grease.

As a member of the NLGI Board of Directors, I know this first-hand. I hold credentials from all three of the groups, and having the letters “CLGS” on one’s business card sends a message the others don’t: It says the individual possesses a defined level of expertise that is specific to the field of grease, and that NLGI recognizes this achievement.

Certification entitles one to use the copyrighted CLGS designation, and to be listed on the NLGI website as a grease expert. It can be a professional advantage in obtaining employment or going after business opportunities that require grease expertise, and it brings immediate credibility when working with customers. Employers use CLGS certification to screen potential employees, and OEMs and end users can use it to ensure that their suppliers are qualified to make grease recommendations.

Obtaining CLGS begins with a closely monitored twohour written examination. An 80 percent or better score is required for successful certification, which extends for a three-year period. To maintain certification, the candidate must renew their certification every three years and submit documentation to NLGI of continuing professional development, such as:

• Attend an NLGI annual meeting • Present a paper at an NLGI annual meeting