We have a number of key challenges today that we must continue to address, including the current uncertainty for business during Brexit negotiations, the engineering skills gap, the importance of maintaining relevant industry standards and the provision of timely and relevant information.

The beauty of a trade association is that it brings together a special interest group, often competitors in their field, to address the needs of the industry and its users, without agenda.

At BCAS we are very fortunate to have had the leading minds in our industry as part of our board of directors over many years and they had the foresight to create a society that welcomes and serves the interests of manufacturers, distributors and end users alike. 

Changing business landscape

We are working currently in a climate where we are having to plan for the many scenarios that may occur – deal or no deal, customs union or not. The political agendas are somewhat irrelevant as we support members from across the divide. 

Every day we open the newspapers to a new development and even as this article goes to press, I am well aware that this landscape may have changed again.  Speculation has its place, but only in ensuring that we are assisting our members in planning for the future. What is more important is that we gain clarity as soon as is possible as while the process rolls on, industry is investing time and cost planning for multiple scenarios and this distracts from true future investment. 

Our members often ask the Society about future economic trends and the impact of Brexit. Rather than speculate further, we prefer to analyse the true state of the market for our industry. 

During this period, economists are providing an interesting range of indexes and analysis that can be interpreted in many ways. In turn, our members also have their own set of statistics and, far from being the bad news you might expect with recent reports about the lack of investment in industry, as at May this year, the numbers are actually rising.

Our manufacturing members’ figures indicate that industry is still investing in new capital equipment and that we have recovered to pre-2008 crash levels.

The service business indicator remains a more immediate measure of how the industry is faring in the economic and political climate, and our distribution sector is also on an upward trend with the index still reading above post 2012 levels. 

The Index of UK air is an orders’-based monitor and the Index of UK distribution a revenue-based monitor. This critical business activity would also be interesting to trace as we move through this period of change to a more stable landscape

Skills’ shortage

The skills’ gap is clear to be seen and the shortage of skilled engineers continues to be a primary focus. Our president, James Maziak, came to office understanding the issue, not only from his own business challenges of maintaining and growing a skilled workforce, but also with a real passion for training.

During his tenure, this has taken a major step forward with BCAS investing in a dedicated technical development officer to oversee this area. A newly formed training committee is working on a standard-based apprenticeship to ensure our businesses have access to skilled engineers for the future and, to enable our members can access the training levy that is available for these programs. 

James has also championed our relationship with the Primary & Secondary Engineer’s programmes. Here, engineers are able to visit schools to mentor and inspire the engineers of the future. The BCAS Rogers Knight award is presented annually to the engineer that the children nominate as having had the greatest impact on their learning and we are seeing a clear demonstration that engineering is now being better understood in schools. 

This can only be a positive step forward in supporting young people into a fulfilling career in engineering or other STEM subjects.

Industry standards
In this environment of multiple agencies, trade associations are working together to gain the collective voice of industry and new groups are forming with specific interest to ensure that the work undertaken.

It is clear that in an ever-changing environment our work towards unified standards must continue. We may be leaving the EU, but this does not mean that the march towards harmonised global standards will cease. In fact, we must work harder to ensure the UK’s voice continues to be heard. 

The efficiencies of scale, impact on safety and cost of production are all improved when a manufacturer has a consistent standard to work to. Here BCAS is more active than ever in ensuring that industry has an effective secretariat for this function. 

This is a forum where BCAS supports and engages our members, giving industry a voice to help influence this important arena. 

Information provision

There is now increased focus on end-user engagement and ensuring that the technical advice we provide can be accessed and used by all. In essence we are a resource for the industry and its users. Our success can be seen in the commercial documentation that now references BCAS processes, guidelines and codes of conduct. 

In addition, we offer a wide range of training courses, such as our ‘Introduction to the Pressure Safety System Regulations (PSSR) and Competent Examiner courses and we produce a broad range of documents to help educate and guide users and operators of compressed air systems, including:

•  The energy efficiency white paper, providing practical tips on how to manage your costs

•  The pressure and leak test guide, to ensure your new system is commissioned and maintained properly

•  The Air treatment guide (soon to be published) detailing the effective selection and application of downstream equipment

Our website also provides a host of relevant guidance and regular industry updates and we also attend numerous external events, providing expert speakers offering guidance on the latest issues of concern.

In summary, our future is in broader engagement and we look forward to your questions and hopefully, future membership. This is because end-users supplied by a BCAS member are entitled to free membership of the society. In joining you will gain access to a broad range of services and support, ensuring that you remain fully up to date with the latest developments, legislation and best practices.

Without doubt the impact and success of BCAS can be attributed to the passion and drive of our extensive list of members, who continue to provide and sustain such an extremely high standard and invaluable service to you, the end user.

Remember, BCAS can help you to Be Compliant and Safe.