Posted 15 October 2012
What turbulent times we live in!
Copper through the roof and then dropping 10%, summer factory shut-downs, increasing delivery times and world shortages of raw materials, all this while we are in the depths of a world recession!
The business news and forecast paint a pretty bleak picture. Certainly the forecasts ‘in the first quarter’, ‘second half’ or whatever, look like they may apply to a decade and not an individual year.
Business continues on its roller coaster path with constant pressures on prices and delivery times.
We are striving to keep costs down while maintaining quality – no easy task. Most, if not all, freight companies are adding fuel surcharges which we have absorbed in the hope they would be short lived.
Supposedly exports should be strong and yet much of what we produce, supply or service in the UK is inextricably linked to imports and the variance of currency markets.
The Olympic Games will help buoy the national mood and with a lot of effort from the athletes concerned we may beat the Beijing medal record.
Some high profile building projects mainly in the South East will keep a few contractors busy, but with competition at its fiercest level for years ‘profit’ may have to take a back seat.
On a lighter note, we are in the process of constructing a new warehouse office, toilets and a rest area. This will provide more comfortable surroundings for staff and customers collecting cable. Tea and coffee facilities are available for drivers and customers who arrive before their order does!
Yours,
Jon Herbert