Northern hope
19 Nov 2014
Over the past few months there has been positive growth in the UK economy, but future prospects are being revised as growth in Europe has started to falter and the German economy is at a standstill due to the continuing trading difficulties with Russia.
Outside Europe the prospects are not as encouraging as they once were as almost all the Bric countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are in trouble.
Inevitably these troubles will have some impact on pumps and valves manufacturers.
Already, certain leading manufacturers operating on the world stage are expressing unease.
In the UK the most recent data to emerge indicates that the pump market has held on to the improvements that started back in 2012, with exports remaining steady but there has been a decline in imports.
However, if the world markets are starting to contract then UK pump and valves businesses are going to have to put greater efforts into securing business in the domestic market.
Calls for greater investment in the much neglected north of England are starting to be heard by politicians at long last, and this could be a much needed stimulus, albeit some way off.
Cynics may say that this recognition is only happening because there is an election coming up, and on past evidence they have a point.
Much needed investment in transport and communications infrastructure will breathe new life and purpose into our great northern cities and create the opportunities for domestic manufacturers and equipment suppliers over the next few years.
It is not going to happen overnight, but if there is the collective willpower to make it happen, and there is a strong body of evidence to say that there is, then what happens outside our shores may not have such an adverse impact.
