EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NEWS


Adapting to Change Rod Parker, Executive Director


A marure industry sector such as the UK lubricants industry, which continually reforms, changes and consolidates, can be quite a challenge to its workforce, and from my perspective especially challenging to its trade association. To maintain effectiveness and credibility a trade association needs to react to its environment by adapting its organisation and procedures so that they reflect and match the changes industry introduces. Taking appropriate action should ensure it continues to flourish, but the question always is which changes to make.


In the weeks since the last issue of LUBE, the sector has experienced more consolidation. Another new company, one we have been aware of for some time, the result of the "merger" of two member companies has been launched. Infineum is the joint venture company of Exxon Chemical's Paramins and Shell Additives International businesses. This was followed by the announcement that Witco have moved closer to Petro Canada. They will be working together within certain sectors of the white oil trade. A more detailed explanation is included on page 16 of this issue. All of these follow on the heels of the announced Shell Texaco discussions. The sector seems to be undergoing constant change.


"Be Prepared", the Boy Scouts motto, is an essential axiom for the BLF, if the Federation is to be around and active well into the future. Council has been considering for some time the best way to adapt your organisation to these changing circumstances and the good news is that action has already begun.


As announced by BLF President, Adrian Parsons at the recent Annual Dinner held in London, Council has agreed a new subscription strucrure. In reaching this decision, Council took into account members wishes, provided via the Membership Attitude Survey and a new report by a special Subscriptions Task Group specifically set up to address the question of decreasing membership numbers. The new subscription structure will be based on turnover coupled to a tiered subscription system. The structure has been designed to allow the Federation to continue to evolve posi tively and adapt to the UK sector's seemingly ever- changing scene. Had Council ignored this major issue we would have seen lower income from subscription and hence less funding available for the provision of core services co the membership


The Subscriptions Task Group worked with Membership Services Working Group, which is the voice of the Branches on Council and rogether they have been central co the process co ensure we evolve new procedures to meet these challenges. Representatives of all four local Branches have already agreed these changes. The new system will be introduced from next year for existing members and within this financial year for new members.


For those members who didn't attend this year's Annual Dinner in London, the President also announced and one revitalised and several new training initiatives to be offered to members next year. Firstly the BLF sponsored Lubricants Operator NVQ will be offered in several new regions, Midlands and Yorkshire are to be added to the existing availability in the North West. Secondly, building on the successful North West Branch initiative of Product Awareness Training, a new modular "Certificate in Lubricant Competence" utilising a series of nine one-day seminars, available over a two year programme, will be offered nationally to members from early next year. Arrangements are well advanced - course work on many of the modules is being finalised . A more detailed breakdown and syllabus is covered on page 13. Thirdly, higher level specialist training will also be offered, again from early next year. The format will be a series of modular one-day courses; the full training course curriculum will take two years co complete. Member companies will be able to send staff on a range of training courses all provided by your Federation.


Finally, as this issue will be the last one for this year, may I rake this opportunity to wish all our members seasonal greetings and a prosperous New Year.


Rod Parker


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ISSUE 35 • DECEMBER 1998


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