As of Jan. 1, management for the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) is being executed by Landon, Farrey & Associates (LFA), a professional association management firm in Naperville, IL. Adopting a new management company allows me to focus primarily on strategic PSTC executive-management issues. Our goal was to locate a firm that could comfortably use state-of-the-art management tools, including client-focused Web site development and social-media integration; robust member data management; educational program development; and successful conference/meeting planning and execution. Our executive task team found LFA to be a leader in moving association clients toward high growth, and we’re honored to be part of the LFA team and have our organization experience a new, multimedia way of doing business.

This management decision coincides with the PSTC’s launch of a new brand and brand promise: “A Bond You Can Trust.” Our marketing steering committee defined PSA tape as tape used for bonding, sealing, protecting and communicating systems; thus, we want design engineers and developers to consider PSA tapes as an alternative to current bonding systems. PSA tapes are recognized in retail and healthcare markets and are extensively used (representing over 70% of total tape production) in all industrial markets. PSA tapes continue to replace traditional fastening systems by reducing production time, reducing weight and increasing the bonding function.

To support PSTC’s brand promise, our board of directors has worked with PSTC’s technical and marketing committees to develop a certification program for all of the organization’s tape producers: the Responsible Tape Manufacturing Practices program. PSTC members that become certified tape manufacturers can use the Responsible Tape Manufacturer logo, which confirms that the company has met sustainable best practices in management of production with environmental responsibility. The final part of the two-step certification process includes quality control standards, which assure tape customers that ISO and Quality Control Best Practices are performed in all PSA tape production processes.