On Thursday the 17th of June 2021, the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place virtually due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, which prevented its 126 worldwide members from gathering for the occasion. During the meeting, Mr Achim Dries was elected as the new president of the association. Mr Achim’s election comes after the sad passing of PEMA’s former President, Mr Ottonel Popesco.
After the AGM, Jon Sojo, Tratos Export Director, who was already standing as a candidate to be re-elected as a Board member of the association, was appointed Vice-President of PEMA. Prior to his recent appointment as PEMA Vice-President, Mr Sojo had already been collaborating and being actively involved with PEMA. Indeed, he had previously chaired the PEMA Special Event and Program Education Committee, with the backing of the General Assembly.
Following the appointment Mr Sojo commented; “It is an honour and a privilege to be elected to serve as PEMA Vice-President, and to contribute to the reinforcement of the commitment that Tratos attempts to maintain with industrial bodies of this kind”. “Because of the important role that I now cover, I will do my best to support all the members of the association and to actively engage and promote PEMA’s activities”.
Mr Sojo, born in Bilbao (Spain) in 1981, has 14 years of experience within the sector of the Ports & Maritime industry. Jon joined Tratos UK Ltd in 2013. He has travelled extensively across the world to manage relationships with some of the main global Port Operators, who are also Tratos clients. As well as some of the main global OEM and crane makers from Asia, Europe and America. Today, TRATOSFLEX cables are installed in over 300 ports, on applications like cables for Automated high-speed cranes, or Shore Power Cables.
This is not the first time that a member of Tratos has been appointed to the position of Vice-President. Tratos CEO, Dr Maurizio Bragagni OBE, previously performed as PEMA Vice-President for several years, before being sadly constrained to leave the position due to other appointments. Indeed, Dr Bragagni has been appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of San Marino to the UK and Northern Ireland. He is the co-founder and chairman of the charity, Esharelife Foundation, he seats in the strategy board of the IEC, as well as on the Trade Advisory Group of the UK Government’s DIT. Most recently Dr Bragagni was appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE).
Dr Bragagni has been a crucial driving force in allowing PEMA and his company, Tratos, to collaborate and work together in revolutionising and bringing innovative solutions in the maritime and port industry. Because of the strong relationship between the company and the association, it was Tratos that took the responsibility to organise and host, for two consecutive years, the Annual General meetings of the association.
“Tratos remains heavily committed to the sustainable development of the industries the company is part of. Tratos’ involvement with associations like PEMA is one example of how Tratos attempts on a daily basis to give a valuable contribution to the drive the industries we operate in towards the 4th industrial revolution.”
