The latest figures from the office of national statistics confirm what we all know, that production in the UK fell off a cliff in the latter part of 2008 and remains at the lowest level in many people’s memories.
Mike Lancaster, Head of Events & Regional Affairs, Chemical Industries Association (CIA)What has happened in the UK chemical industry broadly reflects this picture, but in many ways it is sector specific with agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals doing quite well in most cases, while those supplying the construction and automotive industries have generally had a particularly hard time.
Many companies have had to take hard decisions but the industry is responding well as exemplified by the winners and short listed candidates for the chemical industries awards recently held in Edinburgh. For example those entering the manufacturing and resource efficiency award, sponsored by ABB and won by Pentagon Fine Chemicals, have all shown innovative solutions to improving efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs to enable them to compete effectively on the global stage. Without exception all finalists had focused on getting the best out of employees at all levels.
Index of production for UK - Source ONS
It is clear that companies that come out of the recession best prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead will be not only the ones with appropriate systems and procedures but those that have invested in skills and training and have an embedded culture where all employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and work as a team to move the company forward.