Steve Griffin, chairman of PIFA – the UK trade association for plastics packaging and industrial films – has warned that the industry must face the uncertainties of the future by strengthening its resolve - through its memberships and its partnerships - to build a single, determined, positive approach which adds clarity and value to the industry.
In his recent annual review, he urged PIFA members to recognize the essential need to fight with one voice on issues threatening the UK manufacturing base for plastics films. "In the last year alone, we have seen a dramatic escalation of raw material prices, increasing energy, transport and social charges on our industry, relentlessly growing Far East economies, the uncertainties of oil reserves against long term supply and a weak dollar," he said. "All of this makes us less competitive and more vulnerable."
He then added the compound effects of supply chain factors such as cheaper pricing driven by intense retailer competition, increasing debt and reduced ability to recover costs - and the disincentive to source locally. "It is clear that after 25 years of growth, expansion and expertise, our UK industry has no choice other than to continue to adapt to succeed," he warned.
"Our industry reels under excess EU regulation," he continued. "It is impossible to predict what the real and totally unexpected impact of REACH (the testing and registration of chemicals) will be – not just on the environment but on the critical process of innovation on which we rely to forge our future successes.
"Today, we find ourselves fighting the Climate Change Levy; fighting a carrier bag tax; fighting the new round of legislative burdens on packaging; fighting with our industry partners for a fairer deal in the Supermarket Code of Practice. All of these things are crucial to our members and yet it is impossible to describe how much continuous energy and effort goes into all of these battles," he stressed.
In this respect, Steve Griffin paid tribute to the work of recently retired PIFA chief executive Jim Pugh and his successor David Tyson. "Jim has worked tirelessly for so long in promoting our cause through his great knowledge, intuition and diplomacy. In welcoming David Tyson to the helm at PIFA, I know that in just a few months, he has taken on with great passion the enormous demands placed upon him. I wish both of them well."
Turning to the importance of industry partnerships, he reiterated the valued working relations PIFA has with organizations such as British Plastics Federation, the Packaging Federation, FPA and FPE, PlastEurofilm and Incpen. "We have so many shared interests that it is vital we share the burden of responsibility. PIFA is determined to continue its lead role in facing the threats to our industry's long term stability, viability and future development."
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