PPMA Gear Up Issue 2

View from the top
Knowledge is power
By Dr Andrew Mint, Chief Executive
Officer of the PPMA Group
Writing this the
morning after the
General Election, it’s
clear that we are
once again faced with
political uncertainty.
Irrespective of our political
allegiances, I’m sure we would all
have preferred certainty and stability
as we enter the crucial Brexit
negotiations, but there will now be
more business challenges ahead at a
time when we perhaps least
wanted them.
For many of our members,
exporting is crucial to the success
of their business and while the
weakened pound may have helped
in the short term, we will need
strong trade agreements with
our partners to deliver long term
security. As we look to the future,
the PPMA will try to listen, adapt and
look at ways we can better support
our members in this area.
So, how can we help? One new
initiative is the Global Packaging
Report, which gives a fantastic
overview of the state of the
global packaging market, region
by region, and should provide a
valuable insight into current market
trends and growth areas. For
SMEs in particular, accessing this
type of information individually
can be financially restrictive, so
the collaborative power of an
association is of real benefit here.
The Global Packaging Report is
available free of charge to all our
members via the login area of our
website – if you have not yet read it,
I would encourage you to do so.
Brexit – why now is the time
for answers
By Tom Brake MP
Trade is part of our DNA. From the
creation of the Company of Merchant
Adventurers of London in the 15th
century and the birth of private
enterprises, to pioneering new
machinery like the steam engine,
inventing the railways and becoming
the world’s first industrial economy, to
becoming one of the biggest financial
centres, our entrepreneurial spirit and
belief in free trade transformed our small
island into one of the most prosperous
countries on earth.
The benefits of exporting are
obvious; simply put, exports accelerate
growth, increase domestic employment
and raise standards of living. For
businesses, exports can offer a huge
economic potential, increased exposure
to more clients and security as risk
can be spread across a wider range of
customers.
Today, our country faces uncertain
times. The decision last June to leave
the world’s largest trading block and our
most important trading partner poses
a monumental challenge to the future
prosperity of our nation. Due to the
failure of the Leave campaign and the
government to articulate a consistent
vision for Britain’s future relationship
with the EU, no one knows what comes
next. Will we stay in the single market,
or become like Norway, Switzerland, or
Canada? Will British companies still be
able to operate freely across European
borders? Will British businesses be
subject to more red tape and more
paperwork? British businesses, small and
large, deserve answers to these looming
questions.
As the Brexit negotiations start
and policymakers like me get on with
disentangling these complicated issues,
let’s remember that our prosperity
has always been built on our unique
entrepreneurial spirit. This spirit has
made us the envy of the world and
succeeded in opening up new frontiers,
conquering new global markets, and
breaking down barriers to trade. The
business community is united in calling
for this approach and for a smooth exit
from the EU and a soft landing.
That’s why my party, the Liberal
Democrats, will continue to make the
case for membership of the single
market and the customs union, and
put our economic interests front and
centre in these negotiations. If British
manufacturing is to prosper in the years
ahead, we will need to listen and work
closely with the business community.
Together we will succeed.
www.tombrake.co.uk
3 www.ppma.co.uk