FOB Chief Executive’s Weekly News for 25th January 2021

Dear All,

Detailed below is the Weekly News for 25th January.

Government is providing a deluge of information, often repeated, on Brexit and Covid 19 updates. I have included the latest information and apologies if some of this has been circulated previously.

Attached are:

  1. Manual Contact tracing Q&A Document
  2. Guidance on Moving Prohibited and Resticted (P&R) Goods from Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI)
  3. Government Guidance on Covid 19 rapid testing offer for workers unable to work from home – food sector and slide presentation on Introduction to LFD Testing in the Workplace

Enjoy your Burns Supper this evening!

Gordon Polson

Chief Executive – Federation of Bakers Ltd

Manufacturing Output Decreased in the Quarter to Jan’21

According to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) quarterly industrial trends survey, covering three months to jan’21, manufacturing output decreased in the quarter to jan’21, following some stability in the quarter to oct’20. The survey was conducted with 291 manufacturers.

The survey indicated output growth in 9 out of 17 sectors, including pharmaceuticals and the mechanical engineering sectors. However, output volume decreased in food, drink and tobacco sectors.

The total new orders decreased by 12% in the quarter to jan’21, compared to a decrease of 3% in the quarter to oct’20. In the quarter to jan’21, domestic orders recorded a decrease of 20%, while export orders decreased by 13%.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, stated that output broadly remained flat in the jan’21 quarterly survey, with the picture varying in different sectors. Manufacturers across the sectors continue to face major disruptions, with domestic and export orders falling.

 

Technology Adoption in Manufacturing Sector Driving Demand for Skilled Labour

According to research by Made Smarter, covering over 200 small and medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers across the North West region, 8 in 10 manufactures have highlighted gaps in their skills and knowledge as a barrier to digital technology adoption. In order to bridge these gaps and facilitate efficient technology adoption, the demand for skilled labour is expected to rise in the sector.

The research revealed that 29% of manufacturers have made significant investments in industrial machinery and automation, 21% have made investments in additive manufacturing and 18% have made investments in industrial it infrastructure. However, few businesses have invested in augmented, virtual or mixed reality simulations, artificial intelligence or robotics.

 

M&A Activity in Food and Drink Sector Decreased in 2020

According to a report by Oghma Partners, mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity in the food and drink sector decreased by 40% to 58 transactions in 2020 compared to 2019. The estimated deal value stood at c.£1.5bn, representing a 64% decrease from 2019.

The report indicated that 2020 recorded the lowest total deal volume and value since the company began reviews in 2009. The total deal volume in q3’20 accounted for 28 transactions, representing a 75% increase from q2’20.

UK Governments Border Protocol Delivery Group Webinar 27 Jan

On Wednesday 27 January 2021 between 1500 and 1700 CET the UK’s Border Protocol and Delivery Group will be holding a webinar on Microsoft Teams to discuss border procedural formalities for Exporting Goods from GB to the EU and from EU to GB via Belgium and the Netherlands.

The UK experts will be joined by officials from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/movement-of-goods-through-non-short-straits-roro-locations-in-north-europe-tickets-137421325885

 

Keep your business moving: New video explainers on doing business with Europe

The Business Department has launched a series of new, on demand videos to help businesses familiarise themselves with the new rules for doing business with Europe and the actions they should take. Businesses can find out more about 18 topics, including importing and exporting, trade, data, and audit and accounting.

Register now to immediately access the video content. New rules are here – make sure your business is prepared.

Links to Defra’s Exporter Journey GB to EU Webinars

Links to our recorded webinars on the GB to EU Exporter Journey are now available on YouTube. Please share with anyone who may find this information useful. The topics are: