FACE2FACE
PM: So this all comes into effect at the beginning of 2013? VL: “Yes. Now we are ready to intensify our engagement in
Brussels and we believe the BGA will help us in representation there. On the fastener industry level we must use to full advantage the depth and range of experience amongst the national associations that make up EFDA. The Task Force must ‘feed’ the BGA with information. Equally Dr Melnikov must provide information and intelligence to the Task Force so it can consider it in the fastener context. What we need to achieve is the optimum balance between
these two elements of the new organisation to ensure active and accurate flow of information on which EFDA and its constituent associations can make decisions. It is crucially important we find a balance between the
interests of European manufacturers and distributors. EFDA is not against anti-dumping but we are most definitely committed to free trade and to ensuring that there is proper access to international sourcing markets, which are critical to the health and global competitiveness of much wider European industries and businesses. So, for example, as we represented strongly to the European
Commission most recently when it conducted its review, anti- dumping tariffs should have been applied to imports of carbon- steel fasteners at a level balancing the real raw material advantages of Chinese manufacturers. That would have allowed distributors to continue to access the world’s largest fastener manufacturing resource when appropriate but also provide a fair level on which everyone in Europe could trade.”
“EFDA is intent on moving
from a reactive organisation to a proactive force in Europe.”
PM: What do you see as the priorities for your presidency of EFDA? VL: “The first goal is definitely to succeed in developing this
influence in Brussels and having the position of the fastener distribution industry properly understood. It is important today to cooperate at the European level and not just to work at a national level. EFDA has to become an
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effective European organisation creating the forum for fastener distributors from all over Europe to meet and network. We have to recognise the continued expansion of the EU and that there are important fastener distribution companies operating in countries where there is no national fastener distribution association yet. EFDA is working on a concept to provide a platform for them and host also those independent companies within a ‘virtual association’. I believe it will be important for us to introduce such a group to provide an equivalent to the current national associations. This would mean a wider and stronger support for our objectives so one of my goals is to see more companies from more nations able to participate actively in the EFDA community. The third goal is to manage this development. In the first ten
years EFDA was an idea. Mr Berrang has been the father of the new structure, to create something that is far more tangible. Now it is important to make this new structure work. One of my responsibilities as president of EFDA is to see us build a more effective and influential organisation on that base. EFDA is intent on moving from a reactive organisation to
a proactive force in Europe. In the following month the EFDA Task Force team will be engaged in preparing for the upcoming challenges with the European Commission. This is about being prepared and being ready to present the fastener distribution side in a professional and coherent way. Our arguments have to be better and more substantial and one day the Commission has to hear us. We do not want to continue to be the victim of processes in Brussels and the unbalanced influence of one element of the European fastener industry. We want to find fair solutions, not against European producers
but to ensure a properly balanced market that can effectively supply and support all the major European industries and sectors that rely on fasteners and which does not endanger the competitiveness of our industry.”
PM: Finally, look for me at the key challenges facing fastener distribution in 2013. VL: “One has to recognise that, if the EU blocks off more
world sources of fasteners, there is not just a definite price inflation effect for European industry as a whole there are also increasing difficulties in maintaining availability of the products that industry requires. This is one of the fundamental roles of distribution, to ensure the critical flow of parts, which may not represent a high proportion of the cost of production but if absent can have a catastrophic effect. Fastener distributors invest heavily in inventory, in modern systems and logistics to ensure industry receives the right quality parts at the right price and right time. So far the distribution industry has managed to adapt and to maintain this service but this is becoming increasingly challenging. We also face a long tough road in terms of the economic
conditions. European countries do not now have the resources to stimulate their economies. The USA has to find a solution to the fiscal cliff. Asian economies have to find the way to grow faster again or to adapt politically to lower growth levels. It is a period when all companies have to think very carefully about their business model to find the best way through a difficult situation. A strong and effective EFDA will be vital in supporting European fastener distributors to meet these challenges.”
Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 79 January 2013
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