The American Chain Association (ACA) traces its heritage  to 1930 when the Association of Roller and Silent Chain Manufacturers (ARSCM) was formed. In 1955 that Association changed its name  to the American Sprocket Chain Manufacturers Association (ASCMA), and in 1971 the Association was again re named as the American Chain Association.

The purpose of the Association is to encourage the cooperation of, and to assist, member companies in promoting the interests of the power transmission and conveying chain industry.  To this end the Association does the following:

• Establishes and maintains standards for power transmision and conveying chains, sprockets, wheels, and allied products used for the mechanical transmission of power, or for conveying, or for elevating.

• Promotes the use of domestically manufactured power transmission and conveying chain in the United States.

• Promotes high standards of product quality.

• Promotes the increased use of power transmission and conveying chains in improved and new applications.

• Publicizes the products of the power transmission and conveying chain industry to promote a better understanding of the industry.

• Cooperates with private and public organizations and officials in dealing with problems of common concern to the power transmission and conveying chain industry.

• Undertakes and supervises technical research and development.

• Compiles trade statistics for industry products.

• Studies employer-employee relations to improve in-plant operating efficiency and plant safety.

• Protects the power transmission and conveying chain industry from unfair and excessive burdens and extractions.

Membership in the Association is available to any person, firm, or corporation that, for a period of three years or more immediately preceding the date of its membership application, has been engaged within the United States in the manufacture and sale of a substantial and representative series of chains for the mechanical transmission of power for conveying or elevating.
 

• For purposes of membership, manufacturing is defined as converting raw or semi-finished material into chain components and assembling such components into finished chain.
• The term does not include merely assembling or combining components produced by others.

Those wishing to join the American Chain Association (ACA) may address their request in writing to the Executive Secretary of the Association at its Naples, Florida Headquarters. (6724 Lone Oak Blvd., Naples, Florida, or by e-mail to bob@americanchainassn.org. Telephone inquiries at 239-514-3441.

• Applicants should furnish evidence as to their eligibility for membership and the product section or sections to which they would contribute.  ACA currently has two product sections: The Engineering Steel and Malleable Chain Section, and the Roller and Silent Chain Section.

• Applicants shall agree to abide by the Bylaws of the Association and shall agree to pay all dues and assessments required of members of the Association.