fastening & assembly solutions and technology - Approved Business

FAST OCTOBER 2011
FASTUPDATES
Pay settlements respond to
economic pressure
Manufacturing pay settlements in
the last three months have shown
a slight fall, according to the latest
figures from EEF, the manufacturers’
organisation and JAM
Recruitment. Although there is an
air of uncertainty over the state of
the economy, there is still cause
for optimism.
EEF’s pay data for the 3
months to the end of August
shows that the average pay settlement
for the period was 2.5%,
down from the level of 2.7% for
the three months to the end of
July. Whilst this is based on a relatively
small number of settlements
the data illustrate the tight
economic conditions and uncertainty
that has been prevalent in
the economy in the last few
months.
While the trend seen since the
recovery began of most settlements
being at or below 3% continues,
one in ten settlements are
still freezes.
EEF chief economist Lee
Hopley commented: “Whilst settlements
are continuing to hover
at the lower range of normal levels,
the slight fall in the latest
data reflects both a mood of
uncertainty which has been
prevalent through the summer
6
months but also realism. If we are
not there already then we are
rapidly approaching the point
where fears of wage inflation are
off the radar,” she said.
John Morris, chief executive
of JAM Recruitment, said:
“Whilst the latest settlements
reflect a cautious attitude on the
part of manufacturers there is
certainly still cause for optimism.
Recruitment levels in the sector
are a neat barometer of manufacturing
activity, and we’re seeing
sustained growth in some areas.
The North East and West
Midlands are looking especially
strong, and demand for candidates
that can drive lean and continuous
improvement initiatives
remains high throughout the UK.
The challenge moving forward
will be how UK plc can provide
the skilled employees the sector
needs to meet the demands of
economic growth.”
The September 2011 Pay
Bulletin contains information on
111 settlements covering 15,718
employees. These figures may be
subject to revision to take into
account settlements for this period
that have not yet been
received.
EEF 01664 484 270
Discover the latest
fasteners and adhesives
It is unlikely that pressure has
ever been higher to uncover the
latest developments in fastening
products and applications – especially
while always saving costs
and preferably while improving
quality. So that the opportunity to
do all of those things in one place
in a matter of a few hours is a
chance not to be missed for
design and production engineers
in the UK.
Such an opportunity exists at
the FAST & IASE exhibitions in
Birmingham on October 20th at
the national Motorcycle Museum
where organisers NewbyCom
will once again offer free parking
and a complimentary hot bacon
roll and a brew for early starters,
combined with an eclectic portfolio
of exhibitors delivering an
unrivalled value experience for
manufacturing professionals who
want to put things together better
– whether with mechanical fasteners
or adhesive systems, with
discrete components or complete
systems.
To be amongst the first to see,
discuss and evaluate everything
new (methods, products and
practices) in fastening and
assembly, simply go to the exhibition
websites and pre-register
now! Entry to both exhibitions is
free. One registration provides a
badge valid for both events and
pre-registration can be done at
either:
www.fastenerexhibition.com or
at www.adhesives-show.com.
exhibition
Custom springs direct service
Lee Spring has introduced a service
to speed up the delivery of
bespoke customer solutions.
Customers can email the company
a drawing of their design idea
direct to the dedicated custom
spring design email address:
technical@leespring.co.uk and
the team will respond with a
quote within 24 hours working
from drawings, product specifications
or part samples.
The company can now design
and manufacture a virtually
unlimited variety of spring configurations
and specifications and
supply them direct using the
Custom Springs Direct service.
Since 1918 Lee Spring has been
manufacturing custom springs
and wire forms for just about any
application. Its experienced
engineers can work closely with
customers from inception to
completion so that nothing is left
to chance. “Our aim is to turn the
engineer's idea into reality; whatever
the application, location or
quantity,” confirmed Darren
Eyre, Technical Sales Engineer.
The variety of product on
offer is extensive and includes
compression and extension wire
in a diameter range of 0.005in to
0.500in and torsion wire from
0.005in to 0.187in. A wide range
of alloys includes stainless steel
17-7 and 316, phosphor bronze,
Hastelloy, Inconel 600, 718 and
x750, beryllium copper
and Elgiloy. The service
also offers fourslide parts,
wireforms, stampings and
assemblies.
LEE SPRING
0118 978 1800