The GTMA delegation visited the International Die and Mould Conference in Beijing, as well as mould and die companies in Beijing, Tianjin and the industrial region of Botou.

The international nature of the market was highlighted at the conference by presentations given by speakers from around the world, including Eduardo Beira, World General Manager ISTMA (International Special Tooling & Machining Association), Joaquim Menesas, ISTMA Europe President, and Julia Moore, GTMA CEO.

Julia Moore commented: "If UK toolmakers are to survive and thrive in today's global economy, it is essential that they understand the world market for their products. We must seize the opportunities that this enormous economy can offer us, particularly in regard to collaborative projects - and we can only do that if we have some real knowledge of it."

Alan Smith, a GTMA member from Waveney Precision, agreed: "I felt it was essential to come and see for myself what is going on. I was surprised and even shocked at much of what I saw, particularly the rate of industrial development. Companies that would take three generations to develop in the UK had sprung up in a couple of years, strongly supported by a Government that, unencumbered by elections, can take a long term view of industrial growth. China is clearly determined to build a massive manufacturing base, and is going for it, no holds barred. What we saw on this visit may only be 10% of what will be achieved in the next decade."

The GTMA is the UK's leading trade association representing, tool making, metrology, precision machining, rapid product development and tooling technologies.

www.gtma.co.uk