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Mr Innes reports that most members have buoyant orders books, but all are concerned about escalating metal prices. With steel up another £40/t in January, and brass at an all time high, this trend in material costs is threatening competitiveness.

New members continue to join the ranks of the BTMA and, with their commitment to using the very latest technology, are in a good position to expand or grow into overseas markets.

BTMA members typically spend £130k -£150k per machine to keep labour costs down and quality high, and in terms of the cost of manufacture of high quality complex components, can be the most competitive in the world. The BTMA is currently investigating the possibility of taking members on a visit to China in 2006, with the view to supplying Chinese manufacturers with precise, technologically advanced components.

The BTMA continues to work within the Engineering and Machinery Alliance (EAMA) to lobby the Government on behalf of UK manufacturers, with the impact of increasing maternity and paternity leave of particular concern to SMEs.

As a key player in the Syndicate International du Decolletage (SID), the BTMA provides opportunities for members to develop international cooperation and to exchange views with representatives in other SID member countries: USA, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland and Spain. At the SID International Congress in Spain in September, BTMA officer Martin Lloyd will take over presidency of SID, and consequently the BTMA will be organising and hosting the International Conference in the UK in 2007.

Mr Innes believes that with a little help from our Government, Britain will hold on to its manufacturing base and lead the way in high technology component manufacture.

www.btma.org