Brexit debate at BCF Annual Conference demonstrates unity in supply chain

Print Solutions

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) recently held its 2017 annual conference in Manchester and the programme included a lively Brexit panel chaired by the BCF’s CEO Tom Bowtell, with Steve Elliott, chief executive of Chemical Industries Association (CIA), Terry Scuoler of EEF, journalist and broadcaster Isabel Oakeshott and Jan Van der Meulen, managing director of the European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists' Colours Industry (CEPE).

The panel tackled various issues, including the future of trade with the EU and what this means for the REACH regulations, as well as discussing the importance of trade associations and collaboration throughout the supply chain to explore what opportunities there could be for the sector once the UK has left the EU.

Tom Bowtell said, ‘It is great that we had senior voices from across the supply chain speak on the panel, including the chemicals, manufacturing and EU coatings sectors being represented. Brexit will bring challenges for the industry but we all share a common view and will continue to collaborate to get the message to government that we need to get Brexit right to keep trading with the EU and beyond.’