W&O, a global supplier of valve automation, engineered solutions and marine pipe, valves and fittings, has announced that Fred Loomis, W&O’s director of navy and government sales, has been selected to serve on the Shipbuilders Council of America’s (SCA) new Industry Partners Committee. This newly formed committee of the SCA has been created to establish a more unified voice for the various sectors of the United States maritime industry.

The Industry Partners Committee represents the non-shipyard members of the SCA, who are known as Partners, according to a statement from W&O. The committee’s initial focus is to make recommendations on how “to best integrate and represent the numerous Partner member companies of the SCA in the mission, function and management of the trade association.”

“All of our members, from shipyards to partners, are unified on common issues and policies that affect the health of the shipyard industry,” said SCA President Matthew Paxton. “Recommendations that the Industry Partners Committee will provide are an important step in our association’s progression of representing a unified group of shipyards and allied industry partners.”

Loomis has been with W&O for 15 years, and is very active in legislative and regulatory issues affecting the marine industry. He first worked for W&O as a Northeast sales representative before filling his current position as director of navy and government sales. Previously, Loomis worked as a tug captain for Reinauer Transportation of New York for 10 years.

“From new regulations to sequestration, there are many important changes and developments happening in our industry, which is why this new committee has been formed at such a crucial time,” said Loomis. “Working with the six other committee members, I am confident we will present solutions to engage all members of the SCA in the group’s industry advocacy efforts.”

Founded in 1975, W&O claims to be one of the world’s largest suppliers to the marine and offshore industries and operates a network of 19 branches throughout North America, South America and Europe from its corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.

The SCA is the national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry. SCA members constitute the shipyard industrial base that builds, repairs, maintains and modernizes navy ships and craft, U.S. Coast Guard vessels of all sizes, as well as vessels for other government agencies. In addition, SCA members build, repair and service America’s fleet of commercial vessels