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Back to news topics | Next news topic FROM THE PRESIDENT
These tragic events seem to have generated uncertainty about the future and a short-term reluctance to make long-term decisions. Only time will tell whether markets for our products will be negatively impacted, but with many markets already in retreat there are fears that the events of 11 September and what may follow will create a further slow down. Let’s hope that this latest crisis is resolved as diplomatically as possible and that demand is not seriously affected. The global nature of the construction equipment business today means that larger companies have production facilities dotted around the globe and are able to source components on a worldwide basis. As a result, the need for UK based component suppliers to remain competitive in this global marketplace is of critical importance. We are therefore delighted to have received support from the DTI for our Manufacturing Excellence initiative which will result in six suppliers taking part in initial MasterClasses run by the SMMT Industry Forum team. We hope that the success of these first MasterClasses will encourage more CEA members to come forward to take part in future programmes. The programme will be managed by a specialist team from member companies in conjunction with Rob Oliver and Pam Hyde of the CEA and senior representatives of the SMMT. We had the opportunity to meet with members of other National Associations in early October at the annual CECE (Committee for European Construction Equipment) Congress. This year the Congress was held in Knokke-Heist, a resort on the Belgian coast, and covered the usual technical, statistical and product group issues. Also, this year there was a major session on plant theft which was once only a British disease but has now become a serious issue throughout mainland Europe. Our UK Plant Theft Action Group under the auspices of the Home Office has been on the case for some time now and PTAG committee member Bob Pendlebury of JCB put forward the UK perspective. A request to all OEM’s producing machines that can be used on the road. Tim Faithfull has sent out a reminder about completing the questionnaire on the costs of meeting the different national Road Regulations throughout Europe. We have shouted long and hard for the need for harmonised European Road Regulations and finally the European Commission agreed to fund a comprehensive study of the problem. Unfortunately, the response to the questionnaire has been very disappointing. The consultants have now simplified it so please don’t waste the opportunity to put your case forward and ensure that the UK argument is fully covered. NEIL ALLEN |
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Our
last Management Council meeting took place on Tuesday 11 September, a
date that will forever be etched in our memories as the day the
terrorists attacked New York and Washington. The TV images at the time
and over the following days brought home to us how vulnerable the
whole world is to such attacks and the realisation that things may
never be quite the same again.
