EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NEWS


"Increasing Lubricants Perceived Value" Rod Parker, Executive Director


Increasing this industry's high quality products perceived value, in the eyes of End- users, is I am sure, a common goal for the majority of our members. This is a major challenge for our industry, but may be seen as only a 'pipe-dream' by some. Certainly not by the BLF's Marketing Task Group who are re-focusing their efforts to achieve this long term goal.


The Federation's recent industry survey carried out on your behalf by the Lubricants Consulting Company showed that poor margins mainly reflect low


levels of certain managerial skills and practices, though they are compounded by other factors . These findings were some of the key messages communicated at our recent seminar held at Gulf Oil GB's HQ. We provided members with the opportunity to focus on how to improve their company's performance. We provided solutions to match these underlying problems. We also explained the importance and relevance of Innovation within their businesses. New training initiatives were launched to improve essential knowledge for this task.


The UK market risks continuing low returns if the messages relayed at Cheltenham are not


heeded. Those member companies who didn't attend should consider obtaining a copy of the report to benchmark their in-house performance against the results provided in the report. These were based on a representative industry sample, which covered over two thirds ofUK's lubricants volume.


A second survey- an attitude survey by members about the BLF is under way. Your Federation needs to know members' views, in order to be able to produce a BLF 'Long


Term Plan' which has your support. This time we are looking for guidance as to the Federation's future direction and the types of activities required.


The process for this takes the form of a face-to face interview and a questionnaire. My job,


apart from carrying out some of the interviews, is to ensure we collate all information accurately. I am sure that the results will be most revealing and provide a few surprises but Council was insistent that your views were canvassed, before we embark on setting a long term plan.


Returning to my message in the last edition of LUBE on communications. For the information of those member companies who haven't used us so far, we do offer a HELPLINE for lubricants queries and information. If we don't know, then we probably know someone who does, so try us. Lately we have dealt with enquires from India, Portugal and France as well as scores from the UK.


Tel: 01442 230589 or FAX: 01442 259232 Rod Parker


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