Put the Squeeze on the Squeeze

A quick poll amongst leading aluminium fabricators in late April finds continuing optimism despite the deluge of negative financial reports across the media. Indeed, across a number of sectors within CAB membership, companies have experienced record figures for the first couple of months of 2008 and still report difficultly in recruitment.

Both issues are consistent with Palmer' estimates of 8% growth for the year in the commercial glazing sector and the fact that we are still in a period of virtually full employment.

Supply chain businesses in the sector, however, have to look to the long term future and accept some decline in some areas. Those companies that have a good supply chain in place and that have performed well on projects in recent years will be least effected but everyone needs to analyse how they can 'squeeze' more out of the opportunities that exist - this is very much where trade associations such as CAB have a huge role to play.

CAB will shortly be sending out to all its members a 'checklist' for them to assess individually whether they are exploiting all the opportunities that exist from networking at large scale events, such as our forthcoming Technical Conference on May 14 in Warwick, to essential and detailed technical Guidance Notes on the Members Area of the website.

A CAB CPD familiarisation seminar in Coventry last week highlighted just how seriously companies are now seeking out such opportunities. The seminar was heavily populated with member MDs and Directors who acknowledged the huge long term value to be gained by using the seven CAB CPD's as an integral and central part of their own marketing strategies. The exercise in sharing ideas and case studies of how professionally presented CPD could provide serious commercial benefits was invigorating and just one example of how CAB is helping its members to 'keep ahead'.

Contact us on 01453 828851 or justin.ratcliffe@c-a-b.org.uk.

Justin Ratcliffe
CAB Chief Executive