Why You Can Access Customised Filters, Brexit Or No Brexit
Mere months before Britain is set to leave the EU, manufacturing companies like Croft Filters still have no clear insight into what Brexit might entail. The UK remains immersed in confusion, meaning that companies reliant on materials from outside of the country need to prepare for the worst.
The impending risk of a gridlocked border imposed by a no-deal Brexit has prompted leading manufacturers like Croft to begin stockpiling valuable materials as quickly as possible.
This demand for better preparation has led to the biggest buying spike on record, according to IHS Markit and the Procurement and Supply Chartered Institute.
The manufacturing sector relies heavily on raw materials and components that arent infinitely available within Britain. The sheer scope of the stockpiling efforts taking place within the country today is a sign of just how nervous todays companies are.
Why Preparation is Key for Custom Filters
While all manufacturing organisations will benefit from a stockpiling strategy at this point, preparation is particularly necessary for businesses like Croft Filters specialist focus on customised filtration manufacturing means that we need to be able to access a wide range of materials quickly, to create solutions that meet the needs of our customers.
Some Brexiters have argued that leaving the EU with a no-deal process would be beneficial to Britain, as firms would be able to expand their trades with non-EU countries. However, most companies have built their supply chain over decades of interactions with EU suppliers, meaning a sudden shift may lead to a complete halt in operations for unprepared teams.
The government has already begun to publish technical notices designed to help manufacturers plan for a "no deal" Brexit. However, forward-thinking businesses like Croft Filters are already one step ahead. Weve been stockpiling the materials that our clients need most so that we know we can continue to respond to prospective customer needs regardless of what happens with the EU.
We know that speed of access to crucial supplies is essential for us to continue delivering the high-quality filtration solutions that our clients expect. Thats why weve been investing in additional sheet metal and other necessary materials while supplies remain strong. With a steady amount of sheet stock, we can continue to custom-punch solutions to suit a range of needs.
Croft Filters Will Continue to Deliver No Matter the Outcome
Though opinions about the impact of Brexit vary, a recent report in 2018 found that 83% of British manufacturers are currently preparing for a hard Brexit Some companies have even begun to forge relationships with new international markets, risking a potentially lower standard of materials in case they no longer have access to the EU.
Although the January Brexit whitepaper published by the government proposed keeping trade between the EU and Britain free from tariffs, there has not yet been any substantial agreement that would outline the future of the UK economy. For many manufacturers, one of the main issues that Brexit poses right now is a lack of information.
Typically, when companies plan for a change in operations, theyre basing their plans on information and hard facts. However, its difficult to reassure EU suppliers that they will not have to pay increased costs when there is no data available on what Brexit will mean to the manufacturing trade.
Developing a Brexit Contingency Plan
Like many manufacturing organisations, Croft Filters is currently taking steps to minimise the impact of a potential no-deal Brexit in as many ways as possible. Because there are no guarantees at present that borders will continue to operate as usual after Brexit, we have a contingency plan in place to reduce the risk of delays when accessing sheet metal.
Our strategy of stock-piling materials means that our clients wont have to face any unnecessary delays following Brexit when they need a custom filtration solution. In the meantime, we can continue to map and validate supply chain models based on the information we get when the results of the EU exit are clear.
Going forward, we will also continue to invest in customs expertise to ensure that we have the resources in place to manage an effective trading process. All members of Crofts staff will be given additional training into the logistics, procedures, and regulatory controls put in place when ordering new equipment. Croft Filters is committed to making Brexit as stress-free as possible for our clients.
In the months to come, our team will also work towards becoming an Authorised Economic Operator, regardless of whether a no deal Brexit comes into place or not. This will allow us to maintain quicker and easier trading processes with suppliers from all around the world.
