AMPS: A NOSTALGIC REFLECTION OF THE EARLY YEARS

see if he could help set up the new association. Mr Parkinson, who was previously the CEO of Hawker Siddeley Group and had started his own electrical and mechanical engineering consultancy, agreed to take on the challenge. By April 1989, discussions were held with ABGSM (Association of British Generating Set Manufacturers) to explore the possibility of amalgamating the two associations, but nothing came of it.

AMPS was incorporated into a limited liability company in November 1989, and by the end of the year, ABGSM indicated they were not interested in further cooperation. AMPS decided to canvas ABGSM’s members to join and applied for membership of EUROPGEN (the European generating set association). They also committed to becoming co-sponsors of the INPOWER Exhibition together with the IDGTE (Institution of Diesel & Gas Turbine Engineers).

By 1990, AMPS had become a member of EUROPGEN, appointed Bob Wheadon to chair the Technical Committee, and engaged Varley Hibbs to draw up Terms of Business for full and associate members. Regular quarterly meetings for all members were held at the Benn Hall in Rugby from 1991 onwards.

In the spring of 1992, Mr Parkinson met with Vic Yates, the Chairman of ABGSM, and finally agreed on the basis for the acquisition of their assets. The two associations amalgamated on July 1st, 1992, and became known as “AMPS + ABGSM” for a minimum period of one year before reverting back to being known as AMPS. By the end of the year, the membership had reached 58.

From these humble beginnings, AMPS has grown to become one of the leading associations in the genset manufacturing industry, representing the interests of its members and promoting the use of high-quality generating sets. Mr Parkinson’s reflections of the early years serve as a reminder of the hard work and dedication that went into forming AMPS, and the foundation it provides for its continued success.