 |
 |
||||||
[February 2009]
Partnership Work Aims to Boost British Ceramic Industry
The British Ceramic Confederation and Build-Up North Staffordshire have just announced a new ‘Supply Chain Network Initiative,’ aimed at tackling the problems currently facing the ceramic industry.
The joint initiative will be launched on Wednesday 6 May 2009 with a sponsored exhibition, at the Kings Hall in Stoke-on-Trent (North Staffs, England). The event will give people the chance to meet suppliers as well as other service providers relating to the local ceramics industry. There will be the opportunity to discuss the changing market and solutions as well as problems facing the industry.
Build-Up North Staffordshire, which was originally set up to enable local construction companies to get involved in the regeneration of North Staffordshire, has become so successful it is now keen to extend its remit. The scheme, led by the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership (NSRP), believes developing more direct involvement with the ceramics industry will have wider benefits for the local economy.
The new network aims to address the problems associated with the supply of raw materials and other essential services. These problems have increased significantly as a result of the current economic slow-down with the viability of the supplier network being put in question. Short-term problems are associated with recent receiverships in North Staffordshire’s tableware industry. However, in the long term, there is an on-going need to regenerate the industry and attract new investment into the region.
At the event, ceramics manufacturers will have the chance to see displays of suppliers’ products and to arrange brief meetings to discuss potential business contacts. Advice services will also be on hand from other business support agencies throughout the day.
The British Ceramic Confederation is the lead body for the UK ceramic manufacturing industry, representing the common and collective interests of all sectors of the industry. Its 100 member companies cover the full spectrum of ceramic manufacture, including the supply of materials, and plant and machinery, and comprise over 90% of the industry’s manufacturing capacity.
Build-Up North Staffordshire is a partnership project that enables local construction companies to benefit from the regeneration of the area. By providing a database of local suppliers and a regular list of opportunities within the area, Build-Up has helped to create an effective local supply chain network. Since it was established in September 2007, it has become one of the most successful construction support projects in the UK, enrolling nearly 350 members and helping 2,000 people, from 55 companies, into training.
ENDS