The Motion Control Association merges with SMMA

The Motion Control Association (MCA) and SMMA – the Motor & Motion Association have completed a merger that combines the two leading trade groups serving the global motion control and motor industry. The new organisation name is the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA).

MCMA is part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. A3 is the umbrella group for MCMA, Robotic Industries Association (RIA), and AIA – the vision and imaging association. Combined, MCMA, RIA, and AIA represent more than 850 automation technology companies throughout the world. “The A3 board of directors enthusiastically welcomes SMMA to the A3 family of associations,” said Jeff Burnstein, A3 President. “Our goal is to promote the use of automation technologies and the products made by SMMA members are a critical part of the automation landscape.”



SMMA was founded in 1975 and served motor and motion control manufacturers, material suppliers to those manufacturers plus consultants and academia. The SMMA has been successfully managed for the last 38 years by Betsy and Bill Chambers, who have recently retired. MCA began in 2006 and served motion control and motor manufacturers, distributors, system integrators, end users and affiliates.

Combined, the new MCMA serves the full supply chain from material suppliers to manufacturers to distribution channels to end-users. John Payne, the chairman of MCMA and vice president of the Motion Division at Yaskawa America Inc said, “Separately MCA and SMMA had been very effective in promoting their industry and members’ interests. Now, combined as MCMA, the strength of the larger organiation will allow us to do even more to help promote the industry, provide education and certification, launch research initiatives and track market data.”