The prestigious European Federation of Materials Handling (FEM) has invited Spanish manufacturer AUSA to join its Executive Steering Committee. The FEM is responsible for unifying the standards for safety, ergonomics and environmental care that must be met by machines to be used for materials handling throughout Europe. "This represents a significant step forward for our firm", declared Xavier Perramón, Director of Product Strategy at AUSA, after the company was elected to form part of the Executive Committee of that organisation.

The European Federation of Materials Handling is in charge of co-ordinating the standards that certain machines must comply with, principally forklift trucks, of which AUSA is a leading producer. The FEM also works closely with its American and Japanese counterparts (ITA and JIVA, respectively) in order to harmonise criteria on a broader scale. Perramón continued, "over time we hope to eliminate the need to design and specify forklifts according to the different norms in force in each market, which in essence only serve as barriers to entry".

This is the first time that AUSA plays an active role in the FEM. Perramón firmly believes that the company can make an important contribution by participating in the organisation's decision-making processes, due the OEM's expertise in the field. "We are ready and willing to place our experience at the service of the sector".

AUSA's management staff attaches considerable importance to the company's invitation to join the FEM Executive Steering Committee, bearing in mind the large number of manufacturers in the European market. "This appointment represents recognition of the role our company plays as a world-class pacesetter in the forklift sector", adds Perramón.