INDUSTRY NEWS ISSUE NO. 64 DECEMBER 2004


NEW CHAIRMAN FOR METALFORMING MACHINERY MAKERS ASSOCIATION


Following the 2004 AGM of the Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association (MMMA), Mike Hall, Sales Manager at SMV Presses (UK) Ltd in Coventry has been elected Chairman of the Association for the next two years from the beginning of October 2004.


Mike has worked in the metalforming machinery industry for many years and has a very in depth knowledge of the industry as well as the people who work within it. He has been a MMMA Council member since 1995. As he starts his term of office, he is aware that the metalforming sector has seen a considerable downsizing, as supplier markets and outsourcing has gone overseas and that he comes into this important position as the market appears to be becoming more buoyant.


As Mike said; “Requirements and demands from press shops have changed rapidly over the last few years and we as equipment manufacturers have had to change to meet the new demand. I believe, we as an industry are now better placed to meet that demand as press shops re-invest in surely needed new equipment. In return, they will be more able to compete in the environment of a global market. The industry has bottomed out. I am confident that the UK will become better placed to regain some of the business lost overseas. If we produce high quality products at a competitive


price bought about through new equip-


ment and improved work practices, why shouldn’t some lost business come back? As I go around the country, I see excellent, well run UK press shops that have continued to invest in equipment and the people operating the equipment, still out there in the market. Those who have not, where are they today?


As Chairman I would like to see the Association grow, through new members and by getting more members to play a more pro-active role in the aims of the Association. As my past Chairman, Tim Albutt has said on many occasions, the bigger we are the stronger the voice we will have in the corridors of power, in our case, the Government. We continue to attract new members, but I want more members from those companies out there and who need representation in a body like the MMMA.”


The MMMA acts as the central organisation promoting the common interests of its members involved in the manufacture and sale of metalforming machinery and ancillary products, including tooling in the United Kingdom.


LINK www.mmma.org.uk


NEW MACH 2006 TEAM COMPLETE


The new look MACH 2006 team is complete, with Roger Kaye joining The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), organisers of MACH, as MACH 2006 Sales Manager.


Roger has more than 30 years’ experience in exhibition sales and marketing, having worked for companies such as Reed, Westrade Fairs and Turret, amongst others. He will be concentrating his activities on building relationships with existing exhibitors as well as attracting new companies to the 2006 show.


LINK www.mta.org.uk


PETRONAS


Petronas, Malaysia’s national petroleum corporation, has launched its range of premium grade automotive and motorcycle engine oils in China, officially entering the country’s lubricants market.


PRE-BUDGET REPORT: FPS CALLS FOR GAS OIL DUTY RISE TO BE QUASHED


With oil prices remaining high, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers has asked Customs Minister, John Healey, to quash the excise duty increase on gas oil (red diesel).


In his 2003 Budget, Chancellor Gordon Brown increased the excise duty on gas oil by almost 35%. Then, in his Spring 2004 Budget, he announced a further, 57% increase in the excise duty on gas oil, due to come into effect on 1 September. That is a total increase of 112% over a two year period.


However, in the light of the high oil prices, suspension of the duty increase was announced in July, pending a further announcement to be made in the Pre-Budget Report on 2 December.


On 20 July, when the initial deferment was announced, “in the light of the uncertainty in the oil market” the price of a barrel of Brent crude was $39.12. Today, it is even higher, at $40.44.


The agricultural sector, one of the main users of gas oil, has been hit by the poor summer weather and low milk


prices. Accountants predict that farmers are facing a 58% cut in their income this year. To impose a 57% increase in duty on gas oil, which is essential to their operations and those of rural communities in general, will exacerbate their difficulties.


Susan Hancock, Chief Executive of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, said, “The increased crude oil prices have already provided the Treasury with unexpected additional revenue from the North Sea. These high crude prices have also increased prices of gas oil to end users, to the point where it will affect the economy of rural communities. The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, which represents the oil distributors who supply gas oil, is therefore calling on the Chancellor to quash the increase.


LINK


Email office@fpsonline.co.uk Web: www.fpsonline.co.uk


Petronas will initially market its range of SYNTIUM and SPRINTA lubricants, through PMCCL, a newly established and wholly owned subsidiary of PETRONAS.


Apart from China, Petronas’ lubricants are already available in Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Sudan, Malta and South Africa.


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