For more than 60 years, Technical Associates of Charlotte has been shaping the future of reliability through world-class training and certification.
In this exclusive interview, David Berry, General Manager of Technical Associates, shares how his family’s company, founded in 1961 by his grandfather, has grown from a small training firm in Charlotte to a global leader in vibration analysis and machine health education. Now part of the I-care Group, Technical Associates continues to honor its heritage while expanding its impact worldwide.
How Did Technical Associates Begin, and How Has it Evolved?
David Berry proudly recalls that Technical Associates has always been a family-driven company.
“My grandfather started the company back in 1961, then my father joined in the mid-1970s and led the way in vibration analysis training, a field that’s now central to everything we do,” he says.
He continues: “Since then, we’ve trained over 28,000 people and certified more than 18,000 professionals around the world. What began as a small family business in Charlotte has become a recognized global leader in vibration analysis and machine health training.”
Over the decades, Technical Associates’ reputation for expertise and hands-on education has expanded far beyond the United States, building a strong international community of reliability professionals.
What Changed After Joining the I-care Group in 2023?
When David’s parents decided to retire, several potential buyers approached the company. But as he explains, not all shared the same vision. “Some just wanted the name; they weren’t interested in the people, the culture, or the legacy.”
The story changed when I-care entered the conversation.“They said: ‘We love what you do, and we want to keep it that way. We don’t want to buy Technical Associates and turn it into I-care. We want Technical Associates to remain Technical Associates.’ ”
For David, this approach made all the difference. “It’s been a great fit,” he says. “The support from I-care, from management to every team we’ve worked with, has been incredible. They’ve respected our history while helping us grow.”
What Kind of Growth Have You Experienced Since the Acquisition?
Before joining I-care, TAC was training about 500 people per year through public and on-site classes. Since 2023, the impact has multiplied. “With additional staff, better marketing, and access to I-care’s global network of nearly a thousand people, we’re reaching more professionals than ever,” David explains.
New regional expansions are already on the horizon. “We’re developing Technical Associates of Europe and, eventually, Technical Associates in other countries. It’s exciting to see our name and methods extend worldwide, powered by I-care’s support.”
How Does Technical Associates’ Training Contribute to Safety and Reliability?
Training at TAC goes beyond technical certification; it’s about understanding machine health and preventing failures before they happen.“Our goal is to help people focus on the health of the machine,” David says. “From startup to long-term operation, we teach how to monitor conditions that affect performance and safety.”
The courses emphasize recognizing early warning signs, whether related to bearing wear or gear defects, so maintenance teams can act before issues escalate.
He recalls a striking example: “We once investigated a multi-story fan that wasn’t being monitored properly. It failed catastrophically; it blew out of the building and crushed a car in the parking lot. With proper vibration monitoring, that incident could have been prevented.”
It’s a vivid reminder that machine health is directly linked to human safety. As David puts it: “If you don’t know the condition of your machines, you don’t know if they’ll still be running in a minute.”
Looking ahead: What’s next for Technical Associates?
For David Berry, the future is about continuity and expansion. “With I-care’s backing, we can scale globally while keeping the same dedication to people and quality that started in 1961,” he says.
Technical Associates remains rooted in its founding values — education, safety, and reliability — while evolving to meet modern industry challenges. “Seeing what my grandfather started, what my father built, and where we’re taking it now. It’s incredibly rewarding,” David reflects. “We’re continuing the legacy, but on a global stage.
