Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1356397
www . machinerylubrication.com | March - April 2021 | 41 www . machinerylubrication.com | March - April 2021 | 41 "e ICML fulfilled a previously unmet need in the field of lubrication and oil analysis," says Noria Corporation CEO Jim Fitch, ICML's founding director and a current board member. "It serves the working class of our industry, people who nurture the health of expensive and critical machinery." "rough certifications, ICML has provided a vital measure of lubrication fundamentals to our industry, and this has enhanced the profes- sionalism of its practitioners," notes ICML Board Chairman Bryan Johnson of Arizona Public Service. When local governments worldwide imple- mented restrictions on physical gatherings due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, ICML quickly pivoted to develop online exam options, rolling out this new opportunity last July. "Twenty years ago, our founding members recognized the integral but underrated role of lubrication practitioners in the broad scope of machine maintenance and reliability," says Paul Hiller, ICML Marketing Manager. "But the journey to excellence should never end. So, it was important to us that we continue supporting our certification candidates and our training partners alike—and the online exams allowed us to do that." Beyond Certifications ICML consists of members, professional staff and technical contributors from around the world. In addition to maintaining its funda- mental role as a certification body for 20 years, ICML also oversees industry awards, professional memberships, and asset management standards. ICML implemented its annual awards program in 2001, recognizing physical plants with the Augustus H. Gill Award and the John R. Battle Award for on-site programs that demon- strate oil analysis and machinery lubrication excellence, respectively. Past winners are listed at https://info.lubecouncil.org/awards/. Membership packages were revamped in 2019 and offer flexibility, benefits, and engagement opportunities for organizations and certified individuals who wish to support ICML's mission, gain promotional exposure, collaborate with peers, and secure exam credits. ICML engages subject matter experts to serve as technical volunteers on standing and ad hoc committees in such areas as test devel- opment, membership development, and awards First official exam was the original MLA I in late January in Biloxi, Mississippi. (Nine years later, MLA I would become MLA II). Our first MLT I exam soon followed in April (Houston, Texas). Held our first non-USA exams a few months later in the United Kingdom and Australia. Introduced the annual Augustus H. Gill Award for Oil Analysis Excellence with an open call for applica�ons. 20 01 First non-English exam was Spanish, held in February (Monterrey, Mexico). LLA I exams rolled out in March, followed by the original MLA II in April. (Eight years later, MLA II would become MLA III, and in ten years LLA I would become LLA II.) Palo Verde Nuclear Genera�ng Sta�on in Arizona, USA, was recognized as the first (2001) Gill Award recipient. Tested our 1,000th candidate. 20 02 First Portuguese exam in May (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Open call for our next industry award, the John R. Ba�le Award for Lubrica�on Excellence. Issued our 1,000th cer�ficate and started processing our first three-year recer�fica�ons. 20 04 Clopay Plas�cs in Kentucky, USA, was recognized as the first (2004) Ba�le Award recipient. 20 05 20 07 First official MLT II exam in May (Louisville, Kentucky). ISO incorporated our original MLA I and MLA II exams into ISO 18436-4 as Categories 2 and 3. 20 09 20 10 Introduced new MLA I exam in February. Administered our 1,000th exam session, and tested our 10,000th candidate. ISO incorporated our original LLA I exam into ISO 18436-5 as Category 2, and we launched our new LLA I exam in Germany during December. 20 13 Tested our 20,000th candidate. Convened the interna�onal ICML 55 commi�ee to start developing lubrica�on-specific physical asset management standards in support of ISO 55000. 20 14 20 18 Tested our 30,000th candidate. Issued our 20,000th cer�ficate. Launched management-level MLE creden�al exam in April. Published Part 1 of our ICML 55 Standards, "ICML 55.1: Requirements for the Op�mized Lubrica�on of Mechanical Physical Assets." First issue of The Lube Room e-newsle�er. 20 19 Introduced cloud-based digital creden�als in January. Rolled out an online exam op�on for all creden�als, hos�ng our first online test-takers in July. Published Spanish and Portuguese ICML 55.1 in November. 20 20 to Excellence C ontinues. The J ourney