World-wide

SAMPE International is a worldwide organisation devoted to the promotion of technical excellence in materials and process engineering. It has global membership strength of more than 15,000 professional engineers, scientists and technologists. The origins of SAMPE, as the Society of Aircraft Material and Process Engineers, date back to 1944 in Southern California, USA. During the 50's the organisation spread nationally throughout the US as the Society for Aerospace Material and Process Engineering. In 1973 the Society was renamed to reflect the broader membership beyond the aerospace industry. SAMPE has grown to become the leading professional body worldwide concerned with materials and process engineering. SAMPE International, which incorporates SAMPE Europe and SAMPE Japan, has around 40 individual membership chapters throughout North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. (Link to SAMPE International.)

In Europe

The SAMPE organisation in Europe (originally as the SAMPE Europe Chapter) started in the 1980's and now has around 750 individual members from more than 25 countries across the continent. Today SAMPE Europe is made up of a number of chapters and clubs and is managed by the SAMPE Europe Board, headed by the European President, elected for a period of two years. SAMPE Europe comprises the main European chapter together with four national chapters of France, Germany, Switzerland and UK & Ireland. There are also six national clubs (Benelux, Israel, Italy, Russia, Scandinavia, and Spain) which are affiliated to the main European Chapter. The SAMPE Europe Board includes officers plus national representatives, all unpaid volunteers, elected by the membership of the respective national clubs and chapters. SAMPE Europe co-ordinates membership administration throughout Europe and organises a major International Conference annually (co-located with the JEC Exhibition). Each of the individual European chapters has voting rights within SAMPE International and the European President is a cabinet member of the SAMPE International Board. (Link to SAMPE Europe.)

UK & Ireland Chapter

SAMPE activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland date back to the early 70's via international membership and subsequently the UK Club was created as part of the original European chapter formation. The UK & Ireland Club became a full chapter in 2001, the first European club to do so. Currently there are around 125 members, the second largest chapter in Europe. The UK have made a significant contribution to SAMPE over many years supplying three of the ten or so European presidents (Geoff Meades, Trevor Cook and Bob Griffiths) and providing a consistently strong technical input to the preparation and organisation of the International Conference.

The Chapter is maintained and run by an organising committee (comprising up to 12 members) elected by the membership of the chapter at the AGM. (Link to Officers and Committee.) The Chapter arranges an interesting and varied programme of events including:
- Chapter meetings and industry visits (see Events)
- Joint meetings with other organisations (see link to NUCC)
- Annual Conference/Seminar (see Events)
- Student activities including sponsorship and Annual Seminar and Awards usually held in November (see Events)
- Regular Newsletter - UK SAMPE News published twice a year (see Newsletter archive).