EEF’s chief executive foresees “new era” for manufacturers

The EEF’s new boss is encouraging manufacturers to act now to capitalise on future growth.

THE new chief executive of EEF believes that the UK is witnessing a fundamental shift in attitudes in favour of the manufacturing sector following the economic downturn.

Terry Scuoler - who spent more than a decade at the helm of Oldham-based Ferranti Technologies - recognises that times remain tough for manufacturers but wants companies to act now to ensure that they are in a position to maximise future opportunities.

He said that he has been pleased by the “steady growth” that the sector has experienced in 2010 - and believes that this is likely to continue.
Mr Scuoler said: “Manufacturers have been building our future for hundreds of years - and they continue to do so today.

“One of the things that has become apparent to me since I became chief executive of EEF earlier this year is that we are starting to hear the type of positive language about British manufacturing that has not been heard for two or three decades.

“My personal view is that for a long time there was cultural, governmental and educational antipathy towards manufacturing and there are now signs that this is beginning to change.

“The manufacturing sector can achieve significant growth going forward with the right assistance from government.

“It achieved steady growth in the first quarter among virtually all of our members across the country.”

Emergency budget
Mr Scuoler said that the EEF is “broadly supportive” of the measures announced in the coalition government’s emergency budget on June 22, 2010.

But he remains concerned that it could inadvertently “threaten growth”.

He adds: “At the moment, I believe that the possibility of a double dip recession is unlikely - which has much to do with the steady growth we’re witnessing.

“And there’s also evidence that British manufacturers came out of the last recession in the 1990s fairly strongly.

“But the last recession had not been subject to the fierceness of the austerity measures which we’ve recently seen announced.

“What we don’t need at the moment, is any of the world’s other major economies - such as America - experiencing a double dip recession.

“But I think that the new government’s assertion that it intends to be in power for the next five years will help create stability.

“Now is the time for manufacturers to click into growth mode and begin investing in their future - through their people, facilities and technology.”

Manufacturing and the European Commission
EEF points out that the UK remains the world’s sixth largest manufacturing base, that the industry employs three million people, creates 50% of UK exports and accounts for 75% of all business funded research and development.

Official figures show that the manufacturing sector in the North West is worth £20bn and employs more than 400,000 people - making it the best performing region in the country.

Since Mr Scuoler became chief executive of EEF four months ago, he has toured all of the organisation’s 16 regional offices meeting both staff and members.

He has also spent time at the organisation’s office in Brussels, in Belgium, speaking to policy makers and representatives from the European Commission.

Mr Scuoler adds: “I believe that a fundamental part of the EEF’s role is to lobby and influence legislation on behalf of our members.

“In the past, I think that some of the legislation and regulations which have emerged from Europe have taken British manufacturers by surprise.

“Approximately 50% of UK legislation and regulations are coming out of Brussels and I believe that it is important that we are engaged in this process as early as possible.

“We can learn a lot from our German and Italian counterparts who understand the necessity of early involvement in order to help negotiations.

“I think that we need to begin lobbying earlier in the proceedings - at the point when the draft directives are being drawn up.

“I think that this is another way that we can help British manufacturers take advantage of this recovery.”

A “crucial time” for manufacturing
Mr Scuoler served as an infantry officer for five years before beginning his commercial career in publishing and the construction industry.

Following this he joined Royal Ordnance - now part of BAE Systems - as European marketing manager.

Here, he worked in a number of divisions in the UK and overseas in commercial, procurement, project and general management roles.

In 1999 he became Managing Director of Ferranti Technologies which specialises in supplying avionic and mission planning sub systems, power and control solutions and tailored services to the aerospace and defence markets.

He adds: “In short, I believe that this is a crucial time for our sector and the economy.

"Manufacturing remains central to our future as a high value, high skill employer and we now have an ideal opportunity to ensure this is widely recognised.

“As one of the UK’s leading business organisations EEF has a key role to play in both shaping policy and enhancing its business services.”

"Both of these will be crucial in improving both the business environment for and the competitiveness of our sector.”

The deadline for entry in the EEF 2010 Future Manufacturing Awards - which reward enterprise, innovation, environmental performance and skills - is the end of July.

Click on the links on www.thisismanufacturing.co.uk or visit www.eef.org.uk for more information.