ANTWERP, BELGIUM — The Society of Plastics Engineers is reorganizing its presence in Europe to boost its European membership and improve regional member services and communications.
A new office, to be known as the European Member Bureau, has been established in Antwerp. It will be directed by Yetty Pauwels, a longtime SPE member and former chairwoman of the organization's international committee.
For the last four years, SPE operated through its European Service Center based in Brussels, Belgium, at the offices of consultants Ernst & Young. Currently, SPE has around 1,200 members in Europe.
``We believe there is tremendous growth potential for SPE in the European market. Our previous model for an office in Europe was not effectively providing service or growth, so we sought an alternative,'' said SPE member services managing director Jeffrey Forger.
``Through an improved computer network and advances in electronic communication, we are positioned to provide almost seamless service to the European member community,'' he said.
Pauwels, a Belgian, said she worked for 22 years for the plastics machinery company Rigi SA of Antwerp until September, when the company closed down.
Pauwels joined the SPE in 1981. She helped develop the organization's Benelux section and was involved in forming the international committee.
SPE's European Member Bureau is located at Bistkapellei 44, B-2180 Antwerp, Belgium. Tel. (32) 3 541 7755, fax (32) 3 541 8425.