BFPA Directory 2019

key to the success of the Association’s survey programme lies in listening and responding to member’s views. She commented: “Having regular statistics committee meetings gives members the opportunity to steer the survey work we do and make sure we continue to produce industry intelligence and other economic information which our members want. Our meetings are always well-attended and produce useful feedback and great ideas for future projects.” A key achievement in 2019 has been to significantly increase the number of distributor members responding to our Annual BFPDA Sales and Benchmarking Survey. Most up-to-date economic outlook Our 2018 Economic Forecast event was held at the prestigious new Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC) in Coventry on 10 October. Around 50 members attended the one-day seminar during which Jeremy Leonard of Oxford Economics reported on the most up-to-date economic outlook and fluid power industry forecasts, Terry Boniface of BEIS updated the audience on the latest Industrial Strategy developments and Dr Lina Huertas of the MTC gave an overview of the work carried out at the Coventry Catapult Centre. Many delegates then joined a series of guided tours around the MTC research laboratories which focus on manufacturing component manufacturing (additive manufacturing, non-conventional machining and high integrity fabrication), assembly systems (advanced tooling and fixing, electronics manufacturing and robotics 22 www.bfpa.co.uk BFPA Market Forecasting and Statistics Committee Nick Pittwood (Chairman) SMC Pneumatics (UK) Ltd Jake Mitchell Bosch Rexroth Ltd Mark Stone ERIKS UK Andy Parker-Bates Festo Ltd John Chapman Linde Hydraulics Ltd Kevin Mooney Moog Industrial Group Sarah Gardner (Secretary) BFPA and autonomous systems), and data systems (design and simulation, manufacturing informatics e.g. Industry 4.0, metrology and NDT). In addition, the MTC offers assistance in improving operational efficiency, launching new businesses and an SME REACH programme. Exchange of top-level information The BFPA in-house survey programme also enables the association to participate in the exchange of top-level information with CETOP and other international fluid power associations – yet another benefit to members of participating in the surveys. In summary, the statistics service continues to be a key BFPA member benefit and every company, no matter how large or small, is encouraged to make the most of its membership by getting involved. Dr Lina Huertas, MTC. Terry Boniface, BEIS.