Laidler

Whilst the scare-mongering newspaper headlines might have us running scared of low-cost imports from the low- wage economies, Laidler Associates believes its work in the likes of China and India will actually benefit many European manufacturers. Consultants from Laidler have been increasingly busy over the last twelve months in these fast-industrialising countries, assessing companies’ CE Marking procedures and offering training in setting up procedures for compliance with local legislation.

Laidler Associates managing director Paul Laidler explains: “The UK is still seen as having a major manufacturing base, but we have to recognise that definitions of manufacturing are changing. Successful UK, and indeed other European companies are the ones that focus on the entire manufacturing process, from market assessment and product design through to manufacture, support and service delivery. In that light, a manufacturer can think about its operations on a global basis, with design in one country, contract manufacture in another, assembly in a third, and possibly the back-up spread world-wide.