Simone Wilson becomes Chairwoman of the European Sealing Association.

Founded in 1992, the European Sealing Association [ESA] is a non-profit association of sealing manufacturers and suppliers that occupy a strong position in the sealing industry in Europe. The organization focuses on issues of plant safety and availability, energy efficiency and environmental protection. The association has five divisions - flat gaskets, elastomer and polymer gaskets, mechanical seals, stuffing box packings and expansion joints - and is primarily committed to the development of suitable standards and legislation as well as the continuous further development of sealing technology.

Wilson has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2016 and is looking forward to actively supporting the sustainable and successful growth of ESA with Mark Neal, Executive Director of the organization. At the beginning of 2019, almost 30 ideas were collected, from which five initiatives emerged:

• Promoting young talent
• Creating an open-access knowledge platform
• Develop interactive formats for the Annual General Meeting
• Promote and support work in the departments
• Develop programs with a focus on sustainability and environmental protection

Good progress has already been made on all initiatives. However, the organization's biggest challenge remains to generate consistent added value for current and potential members. Wilson is looking forward to this challenge and to leading the organization into the future together with its members and the Executive Committee.