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HOT
TOPICS
New Directors for CEA
We are pleased to announce the planned co-option of Yvette Henshall-Bell (newly appointed UK Sales Director of JCB) and Val Ledden (new MD of Volvo Construction Equipment) to the Management Council of the CEA. As directors of the Association they will add to the expertise available to develop plans and policies. Other directors of the CEA represent smaller companies and a range of product groups. CEA President, Colin Wakeham, welcomed the new appointments, "We had outstanding representatives from both JCB and Volvo and their successors show the commitment of these leading companies to our trade association".
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Subscriptions Freeze
The Management Council of the CEA has approved a freeze in CEA membership subscription scales for 2009. As subscriptions are based on average turnover over the last three years member companies that can supply up to date turnover information affected by the downturn will pay a lower subscription than this year. We estimate that 4 out of 5 members can benefit from this policy. Watch for your turnover information request from the CEA office in the next few weeks, it could save you money.
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Bounce Back Initiative Wins Support
The CEA has agreed with UKTI that they will sponsor a special Bounce Back conference on Wednesday 25 March in London (One Great George Street). Its objective will be to provide an up to date analysis of what is happening, and is likely to happen, in key overseas construction equipment markets. The programme under discussion will feature BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) markets as well as more established areas. We know from the record attendance at October's CECE Congress that there is an understandable demand for market information and a recognised need for industry professionals to get together to compare experiences. Make a date in your diary now attendance is free of charge to CEA members. Let us know what you would like to see on the day's agenda via
bounceback@admin.co.uk.
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CEA Meets with Lord Mandelson
Lord Mandelson (the Business Secretary) has met with automotive industry representatives, including CEA Management Council member Dr Tim Leverton (Group Engineering Director,
JCB). The purpose was to establish the detail of what government is prepared to do to bolster the sector during the shockwaves of the credit crunch to meet our objective of preserving jobs and enterprises. Discussions will continue with BERR officials and we will keep members posted of developments.
For the official CEA statement click
here.
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Pre-Budget Statement Our Response
CEA Chief Executive, Rob Oliver, made this same day response to the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Statement:
I welcome the £3 billion escalation of capital spending from 2010-11 and our hope is that it will be speedily deployed on quick result housing and construction projects. Efforts to bolster the mortgage market are also welcome as there is an urgent need for stability and confidence in the housing sector. We will also be interested to see the detail of the Small Business Finance Scheme aimed at helping small company exporters. As we export over 70% of UK produced construction equipment any help in this area will be appreciated. The disappointment is that the reduction of the VAT rate makes little sense in the context of falling prices in the High Street. A bigger investment in construction would have seen a much greater dividend in terms of jobs safeguarded and created. My view is that it is the credit crisis that has really choked demand for construction equipment. Until the banks feel able to lend on a normal commercial basis again, the government is doing nothing more than trying to inflate a punctured balloon. They need to fix the hole by sorting out the financial institutions.
Give us your views on the PBS e-mail rob@admin.co.uk.
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Pre-budget: Help plant by helping banks, say manufacturers
To view the Contract Journal article, click
here.
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Europe Lobby Gathers Pace
The Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) has requested an immediate response from the European Commission on a four point plan to support the construction equipment industry. The key elements are:
- an extended flexibility provision in respect of engine emission regulations.
- low interest loans for companies to help meet their R&D commitment in meeting stricter environmental demands.
- better market surveillance on non-compliant plant.
- support for construction and infrastructure investment.
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Summit Demand for New Year
Leading industry CEOs across Europe are to be mobilised for a New Year summit to ensure that construction equipment does not lose out in the efforts to stimulate economic demand in the EU. A request is to be submitted to European Commission Vice President Gunther Verheugen for high level discussions to emphasise the need for higher construction spending, a flexibility on emissions regulations and support for R&D investment to meet environmental standards.
STOP PRESS
.. Commissioner Verheugen has now agreed to meet a CECE delegation before Christmas to discuss the 200 billion European Union stimulus package announced this week.
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Plant manufacturers call for emergency EU bail-out
To view the Contract Journal article, click
here.
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Non-Compliants Still a Priority
We have recognised for some time that a drop in global markets could suck in surplus machines into Europe, ie machines that do not meet EU standards. Working via CECE we are
co-ordinating a pan-European initiative talking to ports, auction houses, insurers and machine operators. Upcoming discussions in Brussels
(CECE's Trade Policy Commission) will confirm the next stage of the programme we will report further in the next
NewsOnLine. Evidence of non-compliant plant being imported and used in the EU? Call us on +44 (0)20 8253 4502 or e-mail
non-compliants@admin.co.uk.
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INTERMAT Support
On the basis that every little helps... the CEA has negotiated 30 £1,000 UKTI grants for SME exhibitors at next Spring's Intermat exhibition, in Paris. This first come, first served offer is rapidly becoming filled - more information from
joanna@aslnorth.co.uk.
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Quick Pulse Surveys
We need the support of CEA members for a series of Quick Pulse surveys. These are online 5-minute surveys asking companies key questions on what is happening in their marketplace and businesses. We need your input to keep in touch with your experiences and views so that we can pass them on to key decision-makers. Thanks to all those that contributed to last week's straw poll of component and accessory suppliers. An aggregate report on the results were communicated to BERR officials within 24 hours of the closing deadline.
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CEA A Helping Hand
We are increasing the availability of CEA in-house experts for members. If you need a visit from one of our team, call us today on +44 (0)20 8253 4502, or e-mail
cea@admin.co.uk.
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Business Related Services
CEA directors are now urgently reviewing other ways in which we can help you business, including access to specialist business services. If we are not offering you what you need, then let us know. Telephone the CEA offices on +44 (0)20 8253 4502 or e-mail
cea@admin.co.uk.
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