Our Mission Statement

To advance the science of tribology and the practice of lubrication engineering in order to foster innovation, improve the performance of equipment and products, conserve resources and protect the environment.

Our Vision Statement

To be a leader in the global network of individuals, institutions, societies and corporate entities with a common interest in advancing the science of tribology and the practice of lubrication engineering.

Roots of the Organization
STLE is an individual membership society focusing on professional, technical and scientific issues and needs. It was founded on March 3, 1944, in Chicago as the American Society of Lubrication Engineers (ASLE). From these early days, into the 1980s, the organization’s primary audience was plant engineers in charge of lubrication for production equipment at major facilities like auto plans or steel mills. Major activities were technical conferences, peer-reviewed publishing and educational activities.

To adapt and reflect evolving market and audience needs, the organization’s membership voted in 1987 to change the name to Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE). This acknowledged a growing international participation and appealed to a more diverse audience that encompassed many aspects of engineering and tribology, as well as the traditional base of lubrication engineers and suppliers of liquid lubricants.

Today, STLE is the premier technical society serving the needs of more than 10,000 individuals and 150 companies and organizations that comprise the tribology and lubrication engineering business sector. STLE members are technical experts who research, develop and market the methods and products that make industry more successful and that enhance the well-being of people worldwide. Our members are employed by the world's leading corporations and academic institutions and by governmental agencies dealing with science and technology. STLE supports these distinguished men and women with a variety of professional education and certification programs.

STLE is incorporated in the State of Illinois. Structure and governance procedures are defined in a Constitution and Bylaws, which have recently been updated and revised. In addition, a strategic plan directs the ongoing activities of the Society. Annual budget is approximately $2.25 million.

STLE’s elected leadership is provided by a 24-member Board of Directors. The President, who serves a one-year term, is the organization’s chief elected officer and the chairman of the Board of Directors.

Complementing and extending the work of the Board is an impressive volunteer network that includes hundreds of individuals serving in a variety of ways. This might include participation in one of 23 technical committees and councils, an administrative committee, serving as an associate editor or reviewer for a Society journal or local Section activity.

Working in concert with the elected leadership and volunteers is a 7-person professional staff. This group operates from the Society’s 9,000 sq. ft. headquarters building located in Park Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The STLE staff has combined experience of more than 100 years in association and organization management.

Organizational Strategy and Services
STLE’s current mission and vision statement demonstrate how the founding purpose has expanded to serve a more complex and dynamic international technical audience and to meet new and more difficult challenges.

Mission Statement: To advance the science of tribology and the practice of lubrication engineering in order to foster innovation, improve the performance of equipment and products, conserve resources and protect the environment.
Audience demographics are distributed among four major categories:

• Lubricant manufacturer, supplier or distributor (41%)
• Thought leaders in research, consulting and technical service and academia (23%)
• End user of lubricants (15%)
• Additive manufacturer, supplier or distributor (12%)
• Specialized segments (9%)

STLE’s scope of activity falls into three major areas:

1. Identification and dissemination of new knowledge, through international technical conferences (two per year), peer-review journal publishing (the official STLE journal is known as Tribology Transactions), student scholarship programs and awards to salute outstanding work in the field. The end result is that innovative research leads to significant economic and social benefits through the practical application of tribology and lubrication science.

2. Identification, codification and dissemination of existing knowledge. This occurs at hundreds of annual education courses offered during the STLE annual meeting, local section meetings, online and through a network of education partner affiliates. STLE publishes a monthly technical magazine (Tribology and Lubrication Technology), is building an online digital library with hundreds of technical articles that capture decades of lubrication best practices, and has a robust book publishing operation. Thanks to this activity, STLE is transferring fundamental knowledge to a new generation of employees worldwide.

3. STLE improves the ability of members and member organizations to operate successfully in their business environment. More than 1,000 individuals currently hold one or more of the professional designations offered through three certification programs. STLE has been in the professional certification business since 1993. In addition, STLE membership represents both a symbol of technical expertise and access to a knowledge network that serves 3,500 individuals and 150 corporate members. These companies and individuals are recognized as the world’s leading experts on lubricants, applied lubrication practices and tribology research.

Strategic Vision: To be a leader in the global network of individuals, institutions, societies and corporate entities with a common interest in advancing the science of tribology and the practice of lubrication engineering.

STLE hosted the third World Tribology Congress in September 2005, which brought together about 1000 members of STLE and 40 other organizations that belong to the International Tribology Council. As STLE marks its 65th anniversary in 2009, the organization is reaching out to members in 60 countries around the world with trusted technical information and education.

Future Aspirations
Creation and dissemination of reliable technical information, STLE’s strength for 65 years, will continue defining our organization’s purpose and value in the future. As the world searches for solutions to environmental and energy challenges, many of which are tied to the fundamentals of tribology and lubricants, STLE stands ready to be the trusted source of information for an expanding audience of people looking for answers to these challenges.

Code of Conduct
In order that the Society may better achieve its purposes, the following Code of Conduct is adopted and shall govern the conduct of all members and member representatives.  All such members and member representatives in connection with all Society matters and activities shall:

1. Conduct themselves and their activities in a professional manner marked by integrity and a spirit of fair play.
2. Abide by the Constitution and Bylaws and such other rules and regulations as the Society may adopt.
3. Refrain from engaging in any activity which would violate confidentiality commitments and/or proprietary rights of their employers, the Society, or any other person or organization.
4. Participate as actively as possible in the Society to increase the value of membership for all participants.
5. Answer truthfully all questions and inquires from the Society or any member; excepting that a member may decline to answer such inquiries for legitimate competitive concerns.
6. Refrain from using the Society as a means to gather competitive information about other members’ customers, business processes or her sensitive corporate information.
7. Refrain from using the Society name other than in the conduct of Society business as authorized by the Board of Directors.
8. Refrain from using the Society membership list or conference attendee lists, or any part thereof, except in the conduct of Society business as authorized by the Board of Directors.
9. Conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with, and not disruptive to, the business and social activities sponsored by the Society.

Adopted by STLE Board of Directors as of May 2010

USE OF THE STLE NAME, ACRONYM AND LOGO

1. Members, Corporate Members, Honorary Members, Life Members, and Fellow Members (“Members”) may use the STLE acronym and logo on their letterhead and business cards, provided such reference does not indicate, directly or indirectly, endorsement by STLE of the Member’s business, services, or products.  Members may also use the STLE name, acronym and logo in print and Web advertising, provided the same requirements are met.
2. Members may use STLE materials with the STLE acronym and logo on them, but may not use the STLE acronym or logo on their own brochures.
3. Members may use the Society name, acronym, and logo to reference their STLE membership, as well as any positions held in the Society, in published biographical material.
4. The STLE name, acronym and logo may not be used by any category of Society member for any other purpose except as specifically authorized in writing by the STLE Board of Directors or its designee.

STLE Education Partners may use the STLE logo as part of their promotional materials, as approved by the Board.