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DEMAND WILL CONTINUE FOR UK MANUFACTURING
Demand for UK manufactured goods has continued to grow apace, according to the latest quarterly survey of Industrial Trends published by the CBI.
Growth in manufacturers’ total new orders is stronger than at any time in the last decade, other than during a short period in 2004. Levels of export orders have so far withstood the strengthening pound to remain steady over the last three months.
Growth in output is reported to have slowed slightly in this survey, but the highest balance of firms for over two years now e
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MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY BATTLES RISING FUEL COSTS
Rising fuel costs have been named as the major business transport concern by over half (55 percent) of manufacturing owners and managers, according to new research.
The findings, from the annual transport survey carried out by specialist business cash flow provider Bibby Financial Services, bring to life the seriousness of the situation highlighted in a recent report from the Centre for Economics and Business which claimed transport costs in the UK are double those of every other European country.
But fuel costs ar
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CCS DEMONSTRATION PLANNED FOR THE UK
The UK can be the birthplace of the world’s first full scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration plant, according to Alistair Darling.
Following the announcement in the Budget of a competition to build a full scale CCS demonstration plant in the UK, the Trade and Industry Secretary said “carbon capture and storage has massive potential to allow us to meet our energy needs at the same time as cutting carbon emissions. It opens up huge possibility, not just for Britain but also for the entire world.
“This i
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CARBON ENERGY MARKET TRIPLED IN 2006
The global carbon market last year tripled to $30 billion from $11 billion in 2005, the World Bank’s carbon finance unit has revealed.
The emissions trading scheme of the European Union, the world’s largest carbon market, accounted for $24 billion, up from $8 billion, the Bank said in a report presented at a news conference during a trade fair in Cologne.
The project-based market, which funds clean energy in developing countries in exchange for carbon emissions permits, doubled to $5 billion in 2006 and raised addi
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A LACK OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Managers within the manufacturing sector believe there is a discrepancy between how individuals and their organisations judge success. According to the results of surveys conducted by the Chartered Management Institute, managers achieve personal success by making an impact at work and developing their colleagues, but think their organisations are more focussed on market leadership and profit margins.
The findings, taken from research projects conducted over the past 15 months, also show that the majority of individu
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VOLKSWAGEN BRAND CLAIMS A BIG PROFIT
Volkswagen’s core VW brand swung to an impressive profit in the first quarter as the group published operating results for its individual brands for the first time since its 2001 annual report.
The world’s fourth-largest carmaker, which has posted preliminary group figures for the quarter, said earnings at its Volkswagen brand rose by €435 million to reach €386 million ($527 million) in the first quarter.
Its luxury brand Audi, which includes the Lamborghini marque, made a noticable contribution to the cause. Audi
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BUSINESSES WARNED TO MAKE CLIMATE CHANGES NOW OR FACE CONSEQUENCES
Britain’s businesses are being warned that the longer they wait to act on climate change, the more dramatic the decarbonisation of the economy will have to be. This is the conclusion of a new white paper, Making Sense of The Low Carbon Economy, from npower business and Forum for the Future.
The white paper comes on the back of new research from npower business which revealed that many companies are confused by what the low carbon economy is. It is one of the first reports published on the low carbon economy in the UK a
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GAME SHOW TRADE EVENT
Unique interactive events to help engineering companies develop international trade in the world’s fastest growing markets will be held in Bristol and Exeter.
The Engineering Game shows have been organised by UK Trade & Investment which has planned a wide range of events and activities during International Month to encourage South West businesses to start exporting or develop existing trade.
The quirky events, based on a ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ format, will give businesses the opportunity to find ou
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NORTH SEA BOOM SEES OIL AND GAS LICENSES UP
Following a bumper year for oil and gas discoveries in the North Sea, Alistair Darling, the Secretary of State of Trade & Industry, has unveiled record numbers of oil and gas licences.
Offers of 150 oil and gas exploration and production licences will be issued to 104 companies covering 246 blocks - continuing the record numbers of licences issued last year.
In announcing the awards, Alistair Darling said: “There are potentially more than 20 billion barrels of oil and gas still available to be produced, which is
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FACTORY ACTIVITY HIKE
British factory activity accelerated at its fastest pace in two and a half years last month and firms hiked prices at their sharpest rate since records began eight years ago, according to a survey by CIPS/RBS.
The survey showed the pound’s continued strength failed to dent demand for British goods, with export orders expanding at their fastest rate in more than three years, and boosting total orders growth to its highest since July 2004.
“The UK manufacturing industry continues to defy the tightening of mone
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Supposedly the construction
materials of the future, composites are increasingly seen in
applications where optimum efficiency is paramount including
aircraft construction and renewable energy. As two research
examples show in this video, composites really are the future
for efficiency.
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