Dear EPDA Members,

This week I read a popular trade newsletter and the headline article was a typically negative “UK double-dip recession longest on record” emphasising that the latest economic data was worse than expected. I continued to read the newsletter and within I could find nothing but positive articles concerning reports of strong performances from several companies. For example, Jaguar Land Rover was to create 1,100 new jobs and a plastics company had expanded to open a new stock warehouse and distribution centre. This journalistic scenario is the same across much of Europe and it emphasised to me the importance of forming one’s own opinion by looking at the whole picture. To do so one requires impartial business and market intelligence.

Providing this intelligence is a stated goal of this Board. As a first step, it is with great pleasure I introduce the new and innovative role of Raw Material Liaison which will be held by Duncan Smith of Brett Martin Limited. Duncan is European sales director for semi-finished products. He is well known within the EPDA for having been a sponsor, and previously an active committee member, for many years. He is well-placed to carry out the role as not only did he qualify with a degree in Materials Science & Engineering, specialising in Polymer Technology, but has amassed a wealth of industry experience and contacts ever since. Duncan will use those contacts, and those of EPDA members, to maintain an overview of market developments relating to raw material capacities, trends and new developments. Regular reports will be published on the EPDA website. A separate article will follow to expand on this new role.

Further options to provide intelligence via the Members Only area of the EPDA website are being explored and I look forward to updating you on our progress in subsequent newsletters. Moreover, we plan regular surveys to garner and share information on the current market positives and the challenges our members see across Europe.

As a final point, in addition to raising many new and exciting ideas for the future development of the EPDA, one traditional element of the conference in Budapest continued to demonstrate the caring side of our Association members, and I am delighted to announce that the Gala Dinner Auction raised a staggering €2,950 for Doctors Without Borders, the independent international medical humanitarian organisation; a figure unachievable without your kind donations and generosity.

With kind regards

David Ladyman
EPDA President