Apparently, UK industry seems to be doing well

In his New Year message, Mick Hall, chairman, UK's MMMA, comments on the IMF Statement about the United Kingdom economy and says there is no clear picture about business prospects.

I do not know about you, but I find if I was to read for example just one economic report, lets say, the IMF Statement about the United Kingdom economy, which incidentally was published in December 2005, I would go away thinking we have not done too badly.

So I would give the economy 8 marks out of 10.

It says the economy hit a soft patch (obviously two words to describe declined) this past year, but growth is expected to pick up in 2006.

Great, now I feel good, I can expect my business to flourish.

But can I be sure? It says we are creating a flexible and dynamic labour market, being only one of three EU member countries to operate relaxed border regulations allowing new members full access to our labour market.

This relieves specific labour skill shortages and reduces inflationary pressures.

Great if they are coming with skills we require, but does that really apply to check out staff in supermarkets I am not sure if that is this positive message, I am getting going around doing my business every day and I have said before it is difficult to get a clear picture of where our sector in manufacturing is going in the UK.

Yes, I am meeting customers who are positive about their business.

Yes, they are the ones who have invested in the latest production technology.

Yes, when you look at these companies they are the leaders in their fields.

But, there are still too many who have no idea where they are going or how to handle UK market, never mind about a global market.

As Chairman of the Metalforming Machinery Makers' Association (MMMA) I talk to many equipment manufacturers and I am glad to say, I am still reading encouraging stories of successful ventures by UK companies, of UK companies expanding and UK companies developing new technology, many of which are world beating.

In 2006 let us be like all those dynamic UK Businesses, let us be positive.

This year, our industry has the important MACH show to look forward to in May at the NEC, Birmingham, which I feel is an ideal time to hold the show.

At this point in time, I understand that the amount of space remaining to be sold is less that at the same time in 2004.

That is good and with over 20,000 visitors attending the show over five days makes it one of the largest Trade Shows in the UK.

I have spoken with a number of companies attending and most have told me that they will be showing new technology and equipment.

With that positive approach I get the feeling that this show will be a success.

The MMMA will be having a members' hospitality stand, which will form part of the 'Metalworking Village'.

At the same time we will be publishing our Members Handbook as a CD and launching our new website, both of which are designed to provide more information and to making contact with a member company that much easier.

The MMMA still remains upbeat about metalforming in the UK.

As I have said before there is a very profitable niche market in the UK.

I am also pleased to hear that entries for the ISME's Sheet Metal Skills Competition are already up on last year.

We really do have some young quality skilled craftsmen, as last years entries showed.

The MMMA Trophy, in the form of a gyroscopic clock, will again be awarded for the best use of metal forming equipment in the Open Class.

Let us hope we get another test piece similar to the one in 2005 adjudged by one of the judges to be faultless, in that the dimensions and details were 100% accurate.

We would definitely like to see more companies entering their apprentices and young employees for this competition.

Those that do always tell us it helps with the on going training of their apprentices and young employees.

The high quality of the entries always amazes me.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous Happy New Year.

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