The UK Plastics Industry is in good shape, says BPF President

The President of the British Plastics Federation said the UK Plastics Industry is in "good shape", with confidence levels "robust". 

Speaking at the Federation’s annual general meeting, David Hall said that despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming EU referendum, as well as fluctuating oil prices, the industry was proving its resilience.

“It appears the health of the global economy, and, even back in February, the uncertainties surrounding the EU referendum were causes for concern within the sector. If there’s one thing that industry doesn’t like, it is uncertainty,” Hall said.

“Last year the outcome of the general election was difficult to call and the year before we had the Scottish referendum, so we’re almost getting used to an annual political event. Yet, reassuringly the industry has proved its resilience.”

Hall outlined the latest industry statistics from its annual review, which details the UK plastics industry as one that achieves a £23billion turnover and employs around 170,000 people in some 6,200 companies across a broad variety of sectors.

Growth in numbers

The BPF itself has grown in the last 12 months, seeing a one percent year-on-year increase in income compared to 2014. Overseas and UK events in particular had had a positive effect on numbers, more than doubling their gross revenue.

The Federation itself has expanded, with the addition of the ‘Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group’, formed as a result of its merger with the former PAFA organisation. Hall said that the addition of PAFA had expanded the BPF platform significantly. “We wish this new, very important Group a great start,” he added.

Strategy for the Future

Hall explained that in July 2016 the BPF will publish a new strategy document, which it has been working on with encouragement from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Details of the document, he added, would be revealed in due course, but that the Federation was “very pleased “ with the output. The document is designed to allow member firms to facilitate discussion, as well as to garner support, from local MPs and stakeholders.

New Vice President

Concluding the meeting, Philip Law, the BPF’s Director-General, said that the Federation’s Council had elected Hall to serve a second term in office as BPF President.

He also said he was “delighted to announce” that Bruce Margetts, formerly of RPC and now Managing Director of the Bericap Group in the UK, had been elected as Vice President.