NACE International and SSPC Merge to Form AMPP

NACE International, The Corrosion Society (Houston, Texas) and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings (Pittsburgh, Pa.) have merged to form the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), which the societies hope will stand as a unified voice for the corrosion control and protective coatings industries. AMPP’s CEO, Bob Chalker, and the rest of the organization’s executive leadership revealed its name, logo and brand elements during an online event Jan. 6.

“AMPP brings together the world’s leading corrosion prevention and protective coatings organizations under one umbrella,” says Chalker. “With a vision to create a safer, protected and sustainable world, the new association will focus on the future of materials protection and performance.”

With more than 40,000 members in 130 countries, AMPP consists of two governance structures – AMPP, a 501(c)(6), and AMPP Global Center, a 501(c)(3). AMPP will provide services in certification, accreditation, membership, advocacy and public affairs, while AMPP Global Center will focus on standards, technical and research activities, conferences, events, education, training, publications and pre-professional programming.

“No other organization offers the depth and breadth of materials protection and performance information, standards, education, certification and contractor accreditation programming that AMPP now provides,” says Tim Bieri, chair of the AMPP Board of Directors. “Through AMPP, we will be able to raise the level of excellence of our professional community and have a greater impact on society through our expanded network of members worldwide.”

“I’m looking forward to bringing together the expertise that’s been instrumental in developing standards, training, publications and other technical resources that support our members and advance our industry,” says Joyce Wright, AMPP Global Center’s chair.

While AMPP’s staff has been working together since October, some program details such as NACE and SSPC accreditations and certifications will remain as they are for the near future.