28 March, 2024

BFPA update (April 2012)

11 April, 2012

 

Welcome new members
 
The Association welcomes the following new BFPDA members:
 
Advanced Component Technology Ltd.
Unit 4, Ryefield Way
Silsden
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD20 0EF
 
For further information contact:
Stephen Lund – director
Tel: 01535 650010
 
PVL Ltd.
Unit 9, Lexden Lodge Industrial Estate
Jarvis Brook
Crowborough
East Sussex
TN6 2NQ
 
For further information contact:
David Almond – head of sales and marketing
Tel: 01892 664499
Website: www.pvl.co.uk
 
 
MOD Build Navy vessels in S Korea not the UK
 
By Ian Morris, director, the BFPA.
 
It is not normally the place of this page to take a political stance, but in this case we have decided to given the nature of this event.
Apparently a contract has been placed on shipyards in South Korea to build tankers for the British Navy with a value in excess of £450 million, although it has been stated that up to £150 million will be spent with British companies on equipment – let’s hope so. The official position of the MOD is that they asked British industry to tender but they say that our industry was not interested. The BFPA has written to the office of Vince Cable to ask just what was asked, but to date there has been no reply. One has to wonder if the question was ‘can you build four ships for so much money knowing that it could not be done at this price here, because of all the legislative costs?’
We should all be concerned that on the one hand our ‘leaders’ talk glibly about re-balancing the economy, creating apprenticeships and much other politically correct stuff, but one has to ask do they really understand the meaning of the words they use? Events such as this and the previous debacle over the trains can only lead to one conclusion – no.
Why is it that this sort of thing isn’t reported on with any significance by the media either? It seems to hold no priority at all. Again, the BFPA did contact a number of media outlets, including the BBC, but it seems that American primaries are more important and no-one has given any priority to this country not building its own navy vessels.
Well how about this for an idea; if cost is all important why don’t we ship the whole of Westminster and the MOD to a far Eastern country where we would be able to employ staff for next to nothing; no pensions, no holiday pay, longer working days with no restrictions, no maternity or paternity leave? It would save the country a fortune.
Employment and growth can happen, and is happening, in manufacturing, but it would be very nice to see Government, whose salaries we pay, leading by example. They will be quick enough to claim all the glory when industries such as ours help sort out the mess the finance people led us to.
Should you be in a position to draw this to the attention of your local MP please do.
 
 
 
Designers, buyers and specifiers will be at IFPEX 2012
 
The 17to 19 April 2012 will see IFPEX once again at NEC. IFPEX is the only dedicated hydraulics & pneumatics event in the UK, but it will not be alone. Co-located with Drives and Controls, Air-Tech, MACH and the Plant & Asset Management Exhibition it really is in the right place to attract the designers and buyers from our user industries. Indeed looking back at the visitor profile from the 2010 show staff from the likes of JCB, Corus, Babcock, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Land Rover were among the 9000 visitors. Although fluid power in itself is a fascinating subject the strength of the co-location cannot be overestimated. It is the wide range of engineering on offer over the three days that makes it a very worthwhile visit. The BFPA stand is in Hall 3A, on Stand I536.
Once at the show the added value of the seminar programme not only gives the opportunity of a welcome sit down but also the chance to hear an expert speaking on his topic. For the well-prepared visitor this could effectively be a bit of free consultancy. So bring those questions with you. The BFPA pavilion will be available to all visitors, members or not, and BFPA consultant members will be on hand to give completely independent advice, and again preparation is all.
The three days and multiplicity of exhibitions will give buyers a wide range of technologies from which to choose. Not being there will certainly give alternative ideas to visitors and, who knows, they may be your customers.
 
Photo caption: The BFPA’s stand design for IFPEX 2012.
 
 
 





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