The AEA encourages its members to be actively engaged and participate in its work. It is only by constant interchange that the AEA can be truly representative and it is for this reason it focuses resources on offering and facilitating added value products and services for members.
No matter what their scale of business, the AEA wants members to value their Association and its objectives and to recognise what is done on their behalf.
The AEA wishes members to appreciate the value of meeting other members in non-commercial yet relevant forums, and to participate in the AEA’s democratic and social structure and activities.
This is achieved by Representation
The AEA represents member companies to Government, Parliament, and the media and to other key opinion formers. The AEA focuses on national government and organisations. In Europe we work through CEMA, ATVEA, EGMF and EUROPGEN and in the USA we collaborate with AEM, ASABE, FEWA/FEMA and OPEI.
The AEA keeps members briefed on key issues at Council and Committee meetings, and through member-only networks and the web site.
Added value and advice
Several information services are available for members, delivered by email and through the members’ only web site. There are many commercial services available to members and the AEA expressly does not compete with these. The added value, which differentiates what AEA offers, is the special role that member companies play in providing support and helping to identify and being actively involved in the solutions.
Information Services
The AEA provides the following information services
- alerts – early identification of upcoming issues
- advice on new policy, regulation, EU and UK legislation and best practice
- research results
- market intelligence
- economic assessments
- statistical collection
- technical information and support
- export and overseas opportunities
- legal expertise
- archive library
Committee Structure to Bring Members Together
The AEA provides a committee structure to cover all sectors of the land equipment industry. The AEA model nurtures and builds consensus by strong member leadership.
The AEA committee structure offers opportunities for members at all levels to meet, network, and debate key issues, work together and share information. These represent opportunities for professionals within the industry to develop their credentials and take on highly visible cross-industry roles.
Members have different motivations to participate in AEA networks. Some invest key people and resources to drive the industry agenda. Others want to keep their companies informed at strategic or tactical levels. Some participate to raise the profile of their company or people. Some look to participate in specific projects – achieving very particular objectives to drive their business forward.
AEA Members are encouraged to communicate their views broadly through the AEA committee structure and websites so that all members can have visibility of the work that is undertaken. So even if members cannot afford the time to engage directly, they can keep in touch or participate electronically at a time that suits them, in those topics that are most relevant to their business.
Promotion of Member companies and assistance in developing business in UK and overseas.
The AEA works alongside UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), International Agricultural and Technology Centre (IATC) and devolved agencies to focus Government support on trade development and export to meet the needs of the land based equipment industry.
Exhibitions and Events
The AEA will help members realise the opportunities provided by trade shows, exhibitions, inward missions and market visits throughout the world. It can assist Members and every scale of business whether new to exhibiting, wish to exhibit as part of a UK pavilion or to participate in or sponsor events.
The AEA organises events specific to manufacturers’ requirements and needs. These include Tillage (two events per annum) and ScotGrass (triennial grassland event) as well as specific conferences and seminars.
Investing in new technology and demonstration projects
Through the work of the AEA’s engineering and technology committees, the AEA can facilitate involvement in UK and European-level research programmes.
Member companies work with us to ensure they know what opportunities there are for participating in or creating technology and demonstration programmes.
Land Equipment Standards
The AEA has a responsibility on behalf of UK industry to develop technical standards and there are opportunities for members to become involved in the development of these. The AEA will support and obtain travel funding for attendance at meetings wherever possible.
Funding is obtained from the DBERR (Ex DTI) and is received via BSI. This amount has been gradually reducing and it may disappear completely by the end of 2009. Applications are complex and the total funds available to UK Industry as a whole from government is diminishing. This facility is key to the work of the technical department and has to be thoroughly watched and lobbied during the next months.
The preparation of standards in the Farm Equipment and Outdoor Power sectors is part of a continuous programme of standardization for land equipment application under the auspices of the various AEA Technical Standards Committees.
A supporting suite of technical expertise from AEA staff members adds value to the world wide standardization programmes ensuring members have state of the art and latest information.
A new focus on Skills
The AEA focuses the industry’s drive for qualifications through the industry sector skills council to government that are relevant to the industry’s needs.
The AEA Training and Education Committee will continue to work with Members and other organisations to initiate and implement Training and Retention measures that assist Member companies. The AEA is also involved in the careers project (recruitment).
How to be involved
The AEA encourages active participation by member companies to establish its work programme and guide its priorities. It facilitates intelligent networks of members through its web-based communities, boards, committees and events. One of the major benefits of being a member of AEA is the unique opportunity it provides to take part in the industry and its common issues through AEA’s structure and through representation on influential external groups and bodies.