Now the dust has begun to settle after the tumult of Brexit, news of which broke on June 24th 2016, the European plastics processing industry's foremost voice on machinery the VDMA, has spoken up, reassuring those with concerns as to what Britain leaving the EU could mean for them.
The German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturing industry, according to the VDMA, notes the decision "with regret", but ultimately the British plastics and rubber industry's standing in the world will ensure business continues as usual.
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VDMA
Top 10 countries supplied by German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers in 2015.
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Source: Federal Statistical Office / VDMA
VDMA
The most important countries supplying plastics and rubber machinery to Great Britain in 2015
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Source: Federal Statistical Office / VDMA
VDMA
The most important sales regions for plastics and rubber machinery exports from Great Britain.
“Great Britain is an important market for us,” said Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the VDMA. “In 2015, as in the previous year, the UK was ranked seventh among the most important countries buying German plant and machinery. At €152 million (£130 million), our exports were 6.6 per cent higher compared with 2014. The first quarter of 2016 saw another sharp increase in deliveries to the island, up 25.9 per cent, putting the UK fifth among the most important customer countries in that period.”
“The industry has traditionally had close ties with the British plastics and rubber industry,” added Thorsten Kühmann, the Association’s Managing Director. “Many of our members have branches in the UK. These close ties between our UK partners and the continent will not change.”
Plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers do however fear that Brexit will have an impact on investment decisions and hope that the period of uncertainty will be as short as possible.
The important thing is that the British Plastics Federation should continue to be a member and partner of the European umbrella organisation EUROMAP.
