GTMA members visit Beijing

The GTMA Trade Mission to Beijing, supported by UK Trade and Investment funding, took place in October, when delegates also visited the Internatinal Die and Mould Conference in Beijing.

The GTMA Trade Mission to Beijing, supported by UK Trade and Investment funding, took place in October.

A very busy schedule allowed delegates to visit the Internatinal Die and Mould Conference in Beijing, as well as mould and die companies in Beijing, Tianjin and the industrial region of Botou.

Currently China is a net importer of mould and die products, although it has achieved something in the region of 20% year-on-year growth in the sector in the last two years, creating a voracious appetite for high technology equipment which has resulted in escalating imports of machine tools.

However, this trade gap is closing - it has been suggested that OEMs and Tier 1 companies will soon purchase over 60% of their moulds and dies from East Asia - leaving the USA and Europe to compete for the remainder.

The international nature of the market was highlighted at the conference by presentations given by speakers from around the world, including Eduardo Beira, World General Manager ISTMA, Joaquim Menezas, ISTMA Europe President and Cefamol representative, and Julia Moore, GTMA CEO, who provided an insight into the situation of the industry the UK.

Julia Moore commented; "If UK toolmakers are to survive and thrive in today's global economy, it is essential that they understand the world market for their products.

It is one of the vital roles of the GTMA, on behalf of its members, to 'fly the flag' for our industry to potential foreign buyers.

That is why we were so delighted to speak at the conference and to arrange the trade mission to China.

We must seize the opportunities that this enormous economy can offer us, particularly in regard to collaborative projects - and we can only do that if we have some real knowledge of it." Alan Smith, delegate from GTMA member, Waveney Precision, agrees; "This was a really worthwhile week.

As Waveney was one of the smaller companies on the delegation it was naturally difficult for me to make the time for the visit, but I felt it was essential to come and see for myself what is going on.

We certainly had the opportunity to learn far more than would have been possible if we had visited either as tourists or even on a one-company visit.

I was surprised and even shocked at much of what I saw, particularly the rate of industrial development.

Companies that would take three generations to develop in the UK had sprung up in a matter of a couple of years, strongly supported by a Government that, unencumbered by elections, can take a long term view of industrial growth.

China is clearly determined to build a massive manufacturing base, and is going for it, no holds barred.

What we saw on this visit may only be 10% of what will be achieved in the next decade." Participating organisations: GTMA, A W Precision, Pankhurst Tool and Die Co, Portway Tool and Gauge, Waveney Precision, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Broanmain, UK Trade and Investment.

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