Time to face China
1 min read
Now is the time for manufacturers to see China as an opportunity instead of just a threat according to one of the sector's leading figures. Simon Griffiths (pictured), chief executive of the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands (MAS-WM), believes the recent high profile visit by PM David Cameron to open up new trade links with the emerging superpower underlines growing momentum and confidence from UK companies to do business in the Far East.
He points to demand for Western technology, a new found appetite for low carbon and a major surge in the desire for global brands and cutting edge consumer products amongst the affluent middle classes as key drivers in the shift of power.
Entry into the Chinese market should not be taken lightly and that is why the former GKN and Land Rover engineer is keen for firms to come forward and make the most of the business and international trade support available.
"In recent years, China has been viewed as the big bad player, eating up high volume work and materials at an unbelievable rate," he said.
"This has had a major effect on UK manufacturing and resulted in our industry moving towards the higher value added part of the global chain; this could now be the right time to make the most of this shift in approach.
"Chinese firms are desperate to incorporate the latest technologies and innovations and this lends itself perfectly to the UK's knowledge base, one of our greatest strengths."
He continued: "But not only are there opportunities to export to China, there is also a move to bring work back to the UK. We are beginning to see orders return to our shores, from international companies worried about the technical expertise of manufacturing businesses in the Far East.
"These factors aren't simply marketing rhetoric. There are hundreds of examples in the West Midlands alone of companies exporting considerable amounts of their turnover. Birmingham-based Brandauer's expertise in complex pressings has seen them achieve nearly £3.5m of annual sales in this market."
MAS-WM, working with Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds, who recently returned from a trade mission with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) has formulated a 'China in your hand' event in Birmingham on January 28th to give existing and fledging manufacturing exporters the chance to talk to experts about doing business in the country.
To book a place, please contact phil@canyonassociates.co.uk.
