NPRA to Become American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Petrochemical & Refiners Association President Charles T. Drevna announced today that NPRA will change its name in late January to the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers.

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"Our new name will emphasize more than ever what we stand for," Drevna said. He said this includes: "American manufacturing and jobs, proven and reliable products for your life every day, economic and national security, and benefitting consumers."

"The name American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers will better describe who we are, what we do and how we serve the American people," Drevna said. "AFPM will be the new NPRA."

"AFPM will be just as vigorous as NPRA in educating Congress, regulatory officials and the American people about the vital role our members play in American life," Drevna added.

Drevna said that when NPRA becomes AFPM in late January the association will mark the occasion with an event in Washington to discuss energy issues, will launch a more user-friendly website and will do a small amount of advertising to increase public awareness of the new name.

When NPRA becomes AFPM in January it will also adopt a new red, white and blue logo, Drevna said.  

The name change in 2012 – the 110th anniversary of the trade association – will be the fourth in its history. It was founded in 1902 as the National Petroleum Association, became the National Petroleum Refiners Association in 1961, and became the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association in 1998. It will remain NPRA until it becomes AFPM in late January.

"We're changing our name for several reasons," Drevna said. "We're proud to be American, and we want everyone who hears or reads our name to know that. We're proud to be high-tech manufacturers, and we want everyone to know that as well."

In addition, Drevna said association members are "proud to manufacture the fuels that keep America moving – gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and others – along with other refined petroleum products. Just as importantly, we manufacture petrochemicals that are building blocks for everything not made of rocks, plants, other living things or metal."

"America became the world's economic leader in the last century by giving American manufacturers the freedom to innovate, grow their businesses, serve the American people, and create jobs for millions of men and women," Drevna said. "We need to do that again."

SOURCE National Petrochemical & Refiners Association