Welcome to the new SAIMC
Yes, for those of you who did not see it in the press, we launched our new brand at a fantastic breakfast event on 22 August. We had representatives of industry (both vendors and end-users), tertiary institutions, collaborative organisations like the IIG and SACAC, and members of the press.
This rebranding does not only mean a new logo, but goes deeper to represent a new focus and thinking within this 55-year-old organisation. The new leadership recognised the need to change with the times in order to remain relevant in today’s demanding and fast-paced society. There has to be a value proposition provided by the SAIMC to its members if it is to survive. Gone are the days of the ‘old boys club’, nowadays one has to have a very good answer for the question from both current and potential members: “What is in it for me?”
In addressing this, it became apparent that the SAIMC, like most voluntary organisations, offered most members little tangible benefit other than a magazine and some prestige associated with belonging to a respected engineering organisation. Recently CPD courses have become popular and cater only to those who are professionally registered. Currently, the regulations for the Identification of engineering work in terms of section 18.(1) of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000, have not been promulgated; hence there is little incentive, currently, for practitioners to register with ECSA. Furthermore, young engineers don’t identify with organisations that have a strong link to our colonial past. They are looking for an organisation that is professional but not stuffy, discerning but not élitist and technical without being boring. They want a modern, techno-savvy, ‘cool’ organisation that they can access via traditional or social media and feel comfortable irrespective of age, race, class, religion or education.
Thus the new thinking in the organisation looks to find a balance between respecting the history and pedigree of the organisation, but at the same time ensuring its future survival by attracting the younger generation. Hence the new logo moves away from the old ‘school badge’ symbol to a new modern logo, which has a distinctive combination of the letters ‘i and ‘M’ and the Latin slogan now appears in English. For practical reasons, the organisation will be known simply as SAIMC in future, colloquially pronounced as ‘sai-mack’.
The core symbols explained
Red quadrant
Symbol: the arrow symbol represents measurement.
Colour: red symbolises action, energy, speed, attention-getting, assertive, confident, exciting, powerful, driven, courageous and strong.
Blue quadrant
Symbol: the symbol represents control.
Colour: blue symbolises loyalty, trust, integrity, reliability, responsibility, perseverance, authority, communication and self-expression.
Violet quadrant
Symbol: the symbol represents automation.
Colour: violet is the colour of purpose, it is a combination of blue and red, combining their qualities.
Green quadrant
Symbol: the symbol represents instrumentation.
Colour: green symbolises growth, vitality, renewal, restoration, self-reliance, reliability and dependability, practical, generous, adaptable and belonging.
I am sure you will agree that a lot of thought went into designing this new logo, which was voted for by the majority of participants in our members’ online poll. The new thinking amongst the new group of ‘servant-leaders’ in the SAIMC aims to provide our members with an organisation that is:
Globally recognised – via organisations such as the Automation Federation (AF) and the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC).
Able to provide a large database of expertise – this will provide our industry with a valuable source of impartial advice.
A catalyst between industry and education – currently there is a significant gap between the expectations of industry and what is produced by the under-resourced education institutions. The SAIMC will proactively assist in bridging this gap.
Able to ensure that the C&I industry’s best interests are represented in future legislation and specifications. This will be facilitated by achieving formal recognition of C&I as the 10th engineering discipline by ECSA, thereby having an official voice in future decision-making forums.
Able to keep members up to date with the latest technology and provide them with tangible benefits.
Please mail me your thoughts on the new logo and strategy vinesh.maharaj@saimc.co.za, so council and I can serve you better. I thank you all for taking the time to read this column.
Your Servant,
Vinesh
| Tel: | +27 11 312 2445 |
| Email: | ina@saimc.co.za |
| www: | www.saimc.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about SAIMC |
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