MARKET INSIGHT 19


Gurit (UK): Control your own destiny


REIDsteel: Look beyond Europe for prosperity


Christchurch-based REIDsteel is a family-run UK business and an international steel structures supplier. Its turnover is healthy and the company is currently “busy in export markets, but also in the UK,“ says technical director Rollo Reid.


So, is manufacturing ready to lead the UK economic recovery?


“I am not confident of anything; other than the fact that if you always pursue work with vigour, luck is more likely to favour you.“


UK manufacturing needs to “untie itself from the sinking ship of Europe and revert to the open sea and the big growing world economy. Then it will prosper,“ says Reid.


“Growth is not a REIDsteel target, but expanding our capability is. Markets come and go and you have to adapt quickly. Reacting to circumstances is what makes evolution work.


’Hetairos’, a Panamax Ketch, engineering and materials supplied by Gurit (UK)


Gurit (UK) belongs to Swiss-based Gurit Holding AG, a group with worldwide locations and markets. The Isle of Wight operation is widely seen as Gurit’s global centre of excellence for technology and innovation, engineering, procurement, marketing and HR. Formerly SP Systems (Structured Polymers), the Newport site became Gurit (UK) in 2006. It employs 445 staff supplying advanced composite materials, engineering and technical solutions to the wind energy, transportation, tooling, marine and engineered structures markets.


“Our business is positive and moving forward and we certainly hope that our sector and the UK economy overall follows that trend,“ said Gurit (UK) site manager Terry Maggs.


The key word there is ’follows’. Gurit (UK) controls its own destiny. Gurit as a group has grown both organically and by acquisitions, skilfully harnessing its internal skills while exploiting its global links.


“At Gurit (UK), we invest in ourselves for our own future. If we sort our own problems out, we will be prosperous. We choose not to wait for governments to resolve things.


“Our stability is based on our award- winning apprenticeship and staff development programmes, solid training and employee retention.


Innovation, operational efficiency and customer-focused support are also key to our growth and industrial success here in the UK.“


The marine business of Gurit (UK) has a steady global market, supplying boat-builders with its SP-High Modulus branded products for small leisure craft to America’s Cup race-boats.


Gurit Automotive, providing advanced composite Class A carbon-fibre assemblies such as bonnets and side panels for high-end marques such as Aston Martin, is showing good growth.


“Wind energy is a large business within the organisation, and in recent years we have been very successful with UK-inspired carbon-fibre innovation enabling lighter, larger more efficient turbine blades.“


Working with the alternative energy industry Gurit has noted the rising public consciousness about renewable and alternative energy sources.


Last year, Gurit launched its engineered structures division, offering an engineering, prototyping and manufacturing consulting service. Already it is showing significant potential within emerging markets and industries such as ocean energy and architectural design of bridges, buildings and transportation.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – SEPTEMBER 2012


“Public spending has ballooned under past governments, while those that pay for it have shrunk in number; this needs to be reversed and taxes lowered.“ Reid suggests a corporation tax rebate of £1,000 for every £1m of British content exported. “Little things help,“ he adds.


Reid also feels manufacturing is being hindered by “bureaucracy, legislation, EU directives, and expensive Euronorms .... Every time a government department pushes new instructions on to manufacturers, they eliminate a few jobs.“


UK demand will pick up with the economy, Reid believes “but it does us no good having a retail splurge when everything you can buy is made in China. There is no reason not to manufacture here.“


REIDsteel funds itself but Reid points out: “It is easy to blame the bankers ... but banks have no duty to lend money for every hare-brained scheme.“


Finding appropriately skilled recruits is a concern. “Schools do need to teach people to read and write and add up. A bigger problem is perhaps the feeling of ’yoof entitlement’.“ Reid suggested, more experience of “real work“ would help.


BDO’s Southampton office has a large local manufacturing team of audit, tax corporate finance and risk assurance specialists led by Paul Duckworth, head of manufacturing.


Details: 023-8088-1867 paul.duckworth@bdo.co.uk


www.businessmag.co.uk


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