BCF members out in force to support launch of Surface Engineering Advanced Coatings Leadership

Representatives from the surface engineering and coatings sectors met with parliamentarians, academics and Lords to recognise the importance of the industry in driving manufacturing growth in the UK post-Brexit, at a launch event in the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Whitby, President of the Surface Engineering Association.  The sector has ambitious plans to grow to £25 billion by 2025, and in turn, create over 50,000 new jobs in British manufacturing.

BCF members present at the event were AkzoNobel, BASF, Fujichem Sonneborn, Indestructible Paint, Jotun Paints, Paint Services Group and Schloetter Company.

The BCF is one of six associations and professional bodies behind the initiative and will continue to support the vital work of the leadership forum, to stimulate a higher take-up of apprenticeships, to ensure the sector maximises its relationships with academia and KTNs to deliver on innovation and embrace digital manufacturing. 

“Our goal is to promote to Government, and wider stakeholders, the importance and economic potential and impact of surface engineering, advanced coatings and materials finishing” commented Tom Bowtell, CEO of the BCF at the launch event.  The sector is estimated to be worth £11 billion to the UK economy today, with an indirect impact on £140 billion of GDP.