MMMA reports UK business upturn

Manufacturing in the UK is not all is 'doom and gloom' as some people make out, says MMMA chairman, and a number of regions report upturn in capital expenditure.

The Metalforming Machinery Makers' Association (MMMA) held the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Association on 14th July 2005 at the Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire.

Mike Hall, Chairman of the MMMA reported to the members as follows: "In my Spring message I talked about my personal feelings and as we move into Summer I consider that message worth repeating with a few amendments based on the latest economic data".

"My business is and always has been in metalforming and it saddens me that manufacturing is such a small part of the UK economy".

"I understand the service industry sector now accounts for three-quarters of the UK economy continues to grow".

"The good news is that manufacturing output did not dip in May as expected, although it was down slightly over the three months to May It is not all is 'doom and gloom' as some people make out and I think, sometimes like to make out".

"We know the manufacturing sector covers a wide range of industries from quarrying and mining to manufactured products made from steel".

"A number of regions recently reported an upturn in business confidence underlined by a combination of increasing capital expenditure".

"I travel the UK a lot and many manufacturers having worked extremely hard to become more competitive, partly done so by investing in the latest production machinery".

"The good news is that they keep telling me that they intend to become even more competitive".

"UK manufacturing competes against lower cost regions around the World, but it is the quality through technology in our output that sustains us and will continue to do so".

"I honestly believe our share of high quality technology based manufacturing will increase with time and that as a whole we are rapidly adapting to do just that".

"Those who have already adapted or are adapting, will be successful." * Website and Handbook - the Association continues to raise its profile through its web site and its members' Handbook.

The web site is interactive with members able to update their own sections and it also offers members the opportunity to have their press releases on the site, a service that is a well used.

We have plans to upgrade the web site during 2005, to allow the MMMA and its members to have access to the latest website technology.

The 2006 edition of the Handbook is being planned to show us at the forefront of metalforming technology.

We are looking at combining a notebook with a CD inserted, perhaps in a similar vein to a music CD with sleeve notes.

* Exhibitions - Metalworking 2006 and MACH 2006 our Council wanted the Association's own 2006 Metalworking exhibition to be held at the NEC in May next year, alongside MACH, but the space in Hall 3/3a was not available to us.

We were as you can imagine deeply disappointed by this turn of events.

The Council decided to become a sponsor of MACH.

This gives members the excellent space rates and the opportunity to exhibit in a designated area within Hall 4, the 'Metalforming Village', a concept we have agreed with the organisers.

As usual the MMMA stand will be an information point for visitors and a hospitality area for members.

We will however, continue to hold debate with those parties interested in organising future Metalworking exhibitions but as always our members' thoughts and suggestions are welcomed, considered and encouraged as we are here to promote their interests.

* ETES regional meeting - the members' pavilion at the ETES regional Midlands Manufacturing Show at the NEC Birmingham, April 13-14 2005, was judged a success by the exhibiting members.

The MMMA pavilion featured individual members' stands surrounding a central hospitality area, where the members were able to entertain and hold meetings with customers.

We can reproduce this concept at other regional exhibitions as and when required.

ISME Sheet Metal Skills Competition - for the second year we were delighted to present a trophy for the exhibit that 'demonstrated the best use of metalforming machinery'.

We hope that this event encourages young people into the industry and we are pleased to continue to present this trophy, which the winner each year is able to keep.

Council will continue to look at ways to assist members and any members, who have suggestions relating to any of the services we offer or could offer, should advise the secretary, so that it can be discussed at a Council meeting.

I have enjoyed serving as your chairman for the past year and I would like to thank you for your support, and I look forward to pushing the association forward over the next 12 months.

I hope that all members enjoy a successful year ahead, in what is still a difficult economic climate - Mike Hall, chairman.

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