FACE TO FACE
Delegates at the ICOSPA Congress in Birmingham . Francisco J . Riberas Mera of Gestamp addresses the ICOSPA Congress .
windfall tax on oil and gas producers , who are benefiting through profits when industry is suffering , and we welcome the U-turn on allowing onshore wind installations in the UK .
For 2023 , the energy issues in the UK will remain until a cost resolution is found . We need more people back into work or a focus on using the unused apprentice levy funds to fund a scheme to get economically inactive people back into work and recoup those lost skill levels . We also need set migration criteria at a lower level to keep industry and the economy going . Policies to encourage this are key for manufacturers . For example , why not put training schools in migrant centres to upskill people in preparation for jobs when their applications are approved ?
Supply-chain bottlenecks are affecting cash flow and run-on costs to manufacturers and consumers . Our members need on-time payment , which would be a huge help . I cannot see a significant change in this situation until at least 2024 , despite underlying market trends that are actually quite positive .
ISMR : What is your strategic and technical focus for ICOSPA and the Confederation of British Metalforming ( CBM )?
SM : We want to keep the newsletter going for ICOSPA and , of course , support Japan in its ICOSPA Presidency . My personal goal is to continue to try and grow the number of individual country association members in ICOSPA .
The CBM ’ s aims are three-fold . Firstly , the lobbying is extremely important , as it is how we support our members and keep providing help . We offer a very strong voice for them into UK Government . Secondly , we want to grow our brand , increase our membership and support our members . We have just under 200 members and offer the climate change levy to members who qualify .
Thirdly , we are focusing on skills and training . We have just received a Level 6 signoff on tool design training and are now working with universities , colleges and trainers to deliver degree-level training to sheet-metal companies or members who need it . We are now also starting three trailblazing groups to develop other training courses ; one on forging , one on forming and one on Level 3 toolmaking , which we want accredited under the apprenticeship scheme .
ISMR : What other challenges and opportunities do you see in UK markets ?
SM : Levelling up is a huge issue but I think , unfortunately , a lot of lip service is paid to it . I hope it moves forward . In terms of growth , one massive opportunity that I see for the UK is reshoring and near shoring which helps to offset the fragility in global supply chains . The growing electric vehicle ( EV ) market is another huge opportunity for the UK but it needs proper support , investment and infrastructure .
Brexit has been a farce and hasn ’ t worked . It is causing far more problems and cost implications than was originally foreseen . All the trade deals in the world will never replace the business that the UK has lost with the EU . We need proper trading to resume with the EU and Ireland .
There also hasn ’ t been a proper manufacturing strategy in the UK for years . It is desperately needed to understand where and how we invest , as well as putting skill levels back into the industry . The UK Government also needs to set a proper overall strategy for the UK automotive sector , to create more jobs and encourage growth . How do we attract overseas companies to set up in the UK , for example ? We already have the expertise and the technologies .
In terms of opportunities , the route to Net Zero and decarbonisation is important . Customers are increasingly putting pressure on manufacturers to prove they have a green carbon footprint . It is important that this roadmap is not sidetracked ; it represents the future .
ISMR : Thank you for your time . n
Accent on metalforming
What is the future of metalforming ? How can businesses position themselves to thrive amidst market challenges ?
These questions underpinned a day of deep discussion at the 20th ICOSPA Congress for the global sheet-metal engineering industry . After two years of pandemic-related delay , and for the first time since 2004 , the Congress was held on 20 October 2022 at the National Metalforming Centre in Birmingham , UK . The ICOSPA Congress takes place once every three years . ISMR was a media partner at the event – its September issue was distributed throughout the Congress .
“ The ICOSPA Congress on 20 October brought over 100 senior executives and business leaders from around the world to Birmingham , which has a proud heritage as the heart of the Industrial Revolution and continues to be a sheet-metal and presswork hub – from manufacturing to future mobility , automation and electrification ,” said ICOSPA President , Steve Morley .
Key topics discussed on 20 October 2022 included innovative technologies that are transforming metalforming operations ; economic challenges around retaining profits ; everincreasing demands on sustainable performance and future skills planning . The event also included factory tours and a cocktail reception on 19 October 2022 , followed by the ICOSPA Congress and dinner on 20 October 2022 . The ICOSPA Council Meeting and dinner followed on Friday 21 October 2022 .
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ismr . net | ISMR December 2022 / January 2023