UKLA President’s Report
Enjoying a rare moment the morning after the UKLA Dinner to enjoy a cooked breakfast, I read the Times. Also a rare event as these days most of my news intake comes from alternative media such as BBC World, Sky News and the Internet.
Having spoken the evening before about my concerns for the global economy, nothing in the newspaper changed my view even slightly, and in fact, probably reinforced the view that again the global economy has at best stalled.
Sadly after predicting a bullish recruitment programme of 2,500 jobs, JCB has now made 700 redundancies in Staffordshire, UK in the last six weeks; Countrywide’s figures and predictions on the UK property market sent shares tumbling and other international news was no better.
The icing on the cake was Janet Yellen’s confirmation that US interest rates will rise in the coming weeks leading without question to a stronger US Dollar in the face of a jittery GB Pound and a weakening Euro.
Will this have an effect on raw material pricing in the short term? Who knows?
So, we have a two speed global economy, the US and The Rest. But certainly the other mature economies could learn much from the US, which since the recession has done a great deal to repatriate manufacture from low cost economies to the US and create ‘real’ jobs.
UEIL President’s Report
I’m happy to see the picture of my friend Hugh above me. Welcome again dear friend in the Lube Oil Association Management World!
In this last edition of the Lube Magazine in 2015, there would be plenty to reminisce about the year that is now behind us. I am restrained by word-count, however, and will stick to the essential successes of our association.
A successful congress of the European Lubricants industry took place between 21-23 October in Malta (despite a slight reduction in the number of participants when compared with previous congresses). With good presentations, a great mood amongst the delegates and the sun peeking out most of the time, I was glad to have seen most of the regular UEIL followers and some new faces as well at the Hilton in Malta. For those who attended the Gala Dinner on 22 October, I once again apologize for torturing you with my unusual ‘introductory speech’. Make sure you book your calendars for October 2016 in Berlin, Germany!
UEIL has also moved forward considerably in the redefinition of how it presents itself to the general public. Our industry has evolved considerably in the past few years, and it is time to review how UEIL introduces itself to EU and other stakeholders in Brussels and around the world. Having circulated a survey to the UEIL members, we are now collecting and analyzing the information received which will serve as basis for the development of a very short but concise ‘elevator pitch’.
A discussion at the Dinner with James Selka of the MTA (Manufacturing Technologies Association), whereby their whole priority and position with Government is about creating real manufacturing jobs in the UK.
The two key Agenda items in my speech were to improve the training offer of the UKLA by re-vitalising the Certificate of Lubricant Competence and already two Industry Partners have expressed their willingness
to assist with material and people to help us. We are actively seeking additional companies to help us in areas such as Automotive lubricants, Industrial Lubricants and Metalworking.
The second priority was to reinforce our position with UK Government, initially in the form of a relationship with BIS, The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Again, talking with James Selka it seems this may not be as easy as it seems. Based on our joint experience to date, our newly elected Government is highly bullish when pursuing its own agendas, but seemingly full of platitudes when it comes to the needs of certain sectors.
We shall see.
Hugh Dowding UKLA President
At the policy level, I am glad to inform that the Access to Technical Information (ATI) campaign has officially kicked off on 1st November 2015. The campaign aims at putting pressure on the EU institutions to take action towards those OEMs who (disrespecting market regulations) are not open in divulging technical information. Contact us for more information. Also, we are happy to confirm a strengthened relationship with the EU groups working on lubricants taxation issues. More information will be released entering into the UEIL Members area of our web site.
Finally, I take this opportunity to welcome: • Forsythe (Canada) and Lubrica (Bulgaria) as members of UEIL, and, in the case of Lubrica, as member of GEIR as well!
• Christian Hartmann (Puralube) as a new member of the UEIL Board of Directors!
I wish you a relaxing and well-spent Christmas and holidays period, and look forward to an energetic 2016!
For any questions regarding the above, do not hesitate to contact us at
info@ueil.org
Fabio Dalla Giovanna UEIL President
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.130 DECEMBER 2015
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