FiT is undergoing a generational change and setting the course for the future

With the newly elected and re-elected boards (from left) Gerhard Koblenzer, Kerstin Zübert, Andreas Pradel, Michael Flämmich, Rainer Straub, Juliane Schule, and Florian Weber, the FiT has completed the generational change. (Image source: Fachverband industrielle Teilereinigung e.V.)

Aligned with the vision and mission developed during strategy meetings of the FiT, key activity areas were defined at the members' meeting, thereby setting the course for the future. (Image source: Fachverband industrielle Teilereinigung e.V.)

Since 2004, the professional association for industrial part cleaning, FiT, has been providing orientation, support, knowledge transfer, and qualification as a navigator for component cleaning for providers and users of industrial cleaning technology. This year, the competence network has, among other things, undergone a generational change in the board and defined strategic focus areas to be prepared for future challenges.

Whether through action recommendations such as guidelines, checklists, directives, as well as professional events and qualification measures for manufacturing industries or by initiating progress and innovation in cleaning technology through cooperation with research institutes, universities, and colleges – FiT has established itself over the past 17 years as an internationally leading competence network for industrial component cleaning. A significant contribution to this has been made by the current chairman, Professor Dr. Lothar Schulze, and his fellow board members. During the re-election of the board at this year's general meeting, Babette Winkel, Hartmut Herdin, Georg Render, and Lothar Schulze did not stand for re-election at their own request. Candidates for re-election were Kerstin Zübert, Dr. Michael Flämmich, and Andreas Pradel. Four new candidates, Juliane Schulze, Gerhard Koblenzer, Rainer Straub, and Florian Weber, stood for election. All seven were unanimously elected to the board, with Michael Flämmich becoming the new chairman. With this, FiT has completed a generational change in the board.

Setting the course for the future

Transformation processes, changing technologies, and markets pose new challenges for providers and users of industrial cleaning technology. To respond optimally to these developments, the strategic focus areas of FiT have been defined based on the vision and mission developed in strategy sessions. This includes, for example, strengthening the networking of providers and users of industrial cleaning technology – also across national borders. Other areas of responsibility include developing additional high-quality qualification offerings and foundational knowledge for quality-assured process control in component cleaning, which is also available in a simple and digital format. Accompanying developments in industrial component cleaning professionally and thus shaping the future direction is also on FiT’s agenda, as is closer cooperation with national and international associations and institutions.

Ask FiT

Some initial steps have already been implemented during the association's participation in this year's parts2clean trade fair, which was held as an in-person event. Support was provided to users through basic knowledge and action recommendations in the form of the checklist "Planning a Cleaning Process – Equipment, Procedures, Chemistry, and Peripheral Equipment," the "Guidelines for Quality-Assured Process Control in Industrial Component Cleaning," as well as an updated version of the directive "Mastering Film Contaminations Safely," which was in high demand. Additionally, visitors received cross-technology initial consulting on various tasks in industrial component cleaning under the motto "Ask FiT." Experts from the committees "Equipment and Processes," "Chemistry and Environment," and "Testing, Inspection, and Control" were present at the Navigator of Component Cleaning booth on all trade fair days. The "Ask FiT" service remains available online at any time via www.fit-online.org for users.

Cooperation with the North American Manufacturing Cleaning Association

The intensification of cooperation with international associations has already borne fruit: recently, the North American Manufacturing Cleaning Association (MCA) and FiT signed a partnership agreement to strengthen engagement in their respective markets. The partnership supports the exchange of professional experience, knowledge, and technical know-how between members of the two associations. It also allows members to obtain "Partner Member" status in the other association and provides access to technical content and networking opportunities. Joint appearances at industry trade shows and conferences such as PMTS, IMTS, Parts Cleaning Conference, and parts2clean are also planned.

Next dates for component cleanliness

With the foundational seminar "Quality Assurance in Component Cleaning," FiT offers a qualification measure for personnel involved in component cleaning on December 1 and 2, 2021. Experienced experts from the cleaning industry will impart fundamental knowledge in a theoretical and practical part on how to achieve stable and efficient component cleanliness through effective quality control, optimized procedures, and equipment technology.

The 30th specialist conference "Industrial Component Cleaning," which will be held in Dresden from March 31 to April 1, 2022, will focus on the development of cleaning technology and procedures as well as dialogue with cleaning experts from various technical and industrial sectors. Innovative, user-specific process solutions will be presented.
For companies interested in shaping the future of cleaning technology as providers or users of industrial cleaning technology, the office serves as a contact point. It provides information on framework conditions and programs, as well as current projects such as the planned guideline "Process Solutions for Industrial Component Cleaning."