2021 Directory

www.bfpa.co.uk 57 little manufacturing in the UK now other than the specialist side of the business – the manufacture of premium-quality parts, technologically advanced products, panel building and so on,” says Abbott. “Even if some manufacturers did have manufacturing facilities and large stockholdings in the UK these companies have largely moved their products to central Europe into larger hubs over the past three or four years for greater ease of distribution and cost savings. For Prevost, it’s different in that we’re continuing to build our brand in the UK and in the advent of Brexit we have injected products here; currently running at 400% stock levels to show our customers the confidence we have in the UK market and our keenness to continue to build relationships with local companies.” Regulations With regard to the BFPA’s activities related to standards and regulations, Galley comments that she enjoys having the opportunity to witness first-hand how Yvonne Pearman and the technical committees go about their excellent work on behalf of Association members and the fluid power industry in general. However, she considers they may have a broader challenge on their hands if the UK moves some distance away from the recognised European standards after the Brexit negotiations have been completed. “Understandably, one of the main talking points at BFPA committee meetings currently concerns regulations and the impact Brexit might have,” she points out. “We now know that UKCA marking will be implemented to replace CE marking for goods placed on the UK market after 1st January 2021. Whilst we have a grace period for many items, UK businesses will have to conform to this standard as soon as possible, as well as continue to work with CE marking for goods placed on the EU markets. The BFPA is supporting members with as information, guidance and links to further support on this.” With particular focus on the hydraulic hose segment of the industry, Galley reflects that while the fluid power industry is largely self-regulating with all the freedoms that can afford companies in this sector, she has some concern that certain questionable practices continue to be far too commonplace – hydraulic hose re-ending being one of them. “Although I can appreciate the reasoning behind a self-regulated industry, I can’t help thinking that in certain respects – particularly where equipment installers’ and users’ safety could be put at risk – there could be an argument for certain legal requirements to be put in place,” she says. Legislation Abbott also considers that while an abundance of red tape cannot be a good thing for any industry, the fluid power sector does suffer from a certain level of important checks and balances. “A hydraulic hose can be legally installed or replaced by anyone with a minimum of training, and here we are talking about something that may work under high pressures,” he says. “This has serious ramifications not just in terms of keeping the equipment up and running efficiently but also with regard to the health & safety of installers, users and maintenance personnel. To me, the lack of policing devalues that side of the fluid power market. The phrase often used is ‘a competent person’, which could to all intents and purposes refer to someone who has been shown how to install or replace a hydraulic hose for 15 minutes. Although the BFPA is championing higher standards through initiatives such as the Hose Accreditation Scheme and the Passport Scheme, I really feel more needs to be done and more legislation around training needs to be put in place in order to ensure greater levels of genuine competency. This is the type of scenario that I am keen to change during my time  Mike Abbott: “Sometimes we get told that fluid power will be replaced by other energies, but I’m 53 years old now and I was told that 30 years ago.”  Rebecca Galley: “I believe it’s also an important part of an Association to promote the industry to a more diverse range of people.”