INDUSTRY INSIGHT

INDUSTRY

A series of views from John Swain, Managing Director, Anopol Limited

Two months into the New Year has given me time to reflect on business in 2009 and what the future possibly holds for this year. For many of us, 2009 started off disastrously, with a notable lack of activity on all fronts. For those of us who survived, the pain has eased somewhat and there are indications that we are on the way to some form of normality.

Naturally we would like to strengthen the situation by adding the word 'stability' to 'normality', but that is not going to happen quickly. There are still too many unknowns facing us in 2010 and beyond. How on earth could one prepare a serious Business Plan at this time with so many unknowns?

We thought at the end of 2009 that we had a pretty good idea which party would form the next Government in May. Now there is the prospect of a hung Parliament, which is bad news both for the country and businesses alike. As a consequence, policies on business taxation are left floating in the air. Will we be left with some reserves to invest in our businesses after we have been squeezed till the pips squeak, by way of reducing the country's enormous debts? We are still uncertain as to whether the squeeze will start this year or next. One thing however is certain, the squeeze is coming and good financial management will take on a keener priority for our companies. The Government has bailed out the banks, but guess who is going to bail out the Government? Yes, you and me and our businesses!

All the main political parties claim to be 'business friendly', but that claim will not prevent them from increasing business tax, even if it is disguised as a National Insurance contribution. In addition, there seems to be no end to the production of red tape and any actions to reverse or simplify some of the legislation have had very little impact. As someone once said, “as long as the Government employs legislators, they are going to busy themselves legislating”.

Fortunately, those of us who survived 2009 will almost certainly survive 2010, regardless of which 'business friendly' party or coalition rules. What is my recipe for survival for the year ahead of us? A major

Anopol Limited is a company specialising in specific finishes on stainless steels. John is a past president of the British Jewellery, Giftware and Finishing Federation and past chairman of the Metal Finishing Association and the Stainless Steel Fabricators' Association.

After serving an indentured apprenticeship as a structural engineer, he joined the Export Department of Girling Brakes, a subsidiary of the Joseph Lucas organisation. On returning to the UK after 5 years with Girling in Germany, he established a subsidiary for a German company and became involved in surface finishes. He led a successful MBO during the eighties, which resulted in a company name-change and the formation of Anopol. John Swain has had numerous articles published on chemical and electrochemical treatments for stainless steels. He has also appeared in national newspapers and on radio, criticising overzealous UK legislation that is detrimentally effecting metal finishing and manufacturing in general.

He currently sits on the Council of the British Stainless Steel Association and the National Committee of the Surface Engineering Association. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Metal Finishing.

Welding

World

19

INSIGHT

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS...

...AND WHAT A YEAR IT WAS

ingredient is confidence and the knowledge that one's company is selling the right product at the right price. Three other important ingredients are honesty, fairness and reputation. These are all interconnected, because no company is going to survive difficult times when its reputation is blighted by doubts about its honesty and fair practices.

On a personal level there is, of course, no substitute for devotion to the tasks ahead. I dislike putting off a job until tomorrow when I can do it today and get it out of the way. Attitude of mind will also play a role in defining the winners from the losers. This all comes down to facing this challenging year with confidence and a positive attitude. And most important, guard and treasure your good reputation amongst friends and foes alike. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20