UKLA President’s Report
Sitting here on the first day back to work after a much needed Christmas break, catching up on the plethora of e mail, and rubbish, it seems there is no good news on BBC World.
A glimmer of enthusiasm from the Detroit Motor Show countered by another China Stock Market slump, the expected response from Wall Street and indicators from around Europe which seem to major on the word “slow”.
Whilst this has none of the indicators of a major economic dip, it is certainly a slowdown in certain key markets without much expectation of a pick-up in 2016, so where does this leave our businesses?
With continuing low raw material prices and the resultant gross margins the key word is probably adaptability rather driving to cut costs or improve margins.
It may be that suddenly Markets or Sectors which have seemed attractive now seem less so and covering the gaps in expected growth need that ability to switch strategy quickly and effectively – a weapon for the smaller and more agile Players in the face of larger competitors.
In the world of UKLA the latest initiatives include the promised upgrading of the CLC (Certificate of Lubricant Competence) and a much higher level event in the form of the Directors Update
UEIL President’s Report Dear Lube Magazine Readers,
First of all, belated happy new year! I hope you had a good break and are fresh for a lubed 2016.
Let me start this first message of the year by welcoming the two new UEIL members: • From Canada, Forsythe • From Bulgaria, Lubrica (also a member of GEIR, the re-refining section of UEIL)
We look forward to involving Forsythe and Lubrica in the UEIL activities and discussions!
Discussions that have already started at the end of January 2016, when the UEIL Board of Directors and Committee meetings took place. A major topic in the agendas relates to taxation for lubricants. As you may be aware, the issue is back on the table at the EU level – specifically, EU member states are considering including lubes under Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS). The UEIL Board of Directors and the UEIL Taxation Taskforce met at the end of January to determine actions that will be taken in the coming months to revert the situation.
After a decision of the Board of Directors in September 2015, UEIL is strengthening its unique selling propositions. For this purpose, UEIL has circulated a European-wide survey to its members that will provide the UEIL Secretariat and Public Affairs team with information and data which will base its rhetoric towards the general public and stakeholders. I would like to thank all the members who submitted information!
event scheduled for April. This event is at a level where as a new initiative it is aimed very clearly at CEOs and Directors and will be conducted by a professional Institution on behalf of UKLA for the first time.
Some traditional events will be fine-tuned a little in 2016 but after an extremely successful Annual Dinner last November outline planning has already started for this year’s event.
The Board of UKLA continues to successfully re-generate itself with the latest recruit being Mike Bewsey of Cosan and for the first time for many years there is a strong line of succession for at least the next five terms of office. It seems strange, and yet healthy, to be talking about succession at the beginning of a Presidency and there is still much to do in UKLA in 2016 to fulfil our commitments to Members but I am confident of our success.
I hope in wishing all our readers a belated Happy New Year that your businesses adapt to the new economic and socio-political climate and remain as successful as in 2015.
Hugh Dowding UKLA President
Also particularly active were the recently constituted Delta Taskforce (responsible for steering the association’s fundraising efforts) and re-constituted Membership Fees Taskforce (responsible for reviewing the UEIL membership fees structure). Next meetings will take in March (GEIR) and May (UEIL Board of Directors, Committees, and General Assembly).
Finally, as announced during the UEIL Annual Congress 2015 in Malta, this year’s Annual Congress of the European Lubricants’ Industry will take place in Berlin (Germany) between 26-28 October 2016! This promises to be a great event, given the fantastic support we are receiving from UNITI in Germany, the weight the German market has on the European lubricants’ industry, and the programme we are putting together for you. Contact us in case you have any questions regarding presenting at the congress, and don’t forget to check this year’s sponsorship package!
Other events to follow are: • The ICIS 20th World Base Oils & Lubricants Conference in February – don’t forget to register!
• The UNITI Congress in April – a fantastic programme this year!
So, a lot to come up this year – stay tuned, and don’t hesitate to contact us in case you have questions
info@ueil.org
Fabio Dalla Giovanna UEIL President
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.131 FEBRUARY 2016
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