EoW November 2010

corporate news

Based in Sheffield, UK, the UK Spring Manufacturers’ Association (UKSMA) is a specialist business support organisation for spring makers. From within its membership the organisation has recently elected a new president, Mr Steve Boyd of G&O Springs, and a vice-president, Mr John Clifford of Clifford Spring Company, to continue the work of actively promoting the UK spring industry and encouraging business development. In line with some recent changes within the organisation, the UKSMA has re-launched its website with a new look, described as providing a “more streamlined interface between customer and supplier”. Full details of member companies, their product range and capabilities, together with details of membership, can be found there. UK Spring Manufacturers Association – UK Fax : +44 114 252 7997 Email : uksma@uksma.org.uk Website : www.uksma.org.uk The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme is the world’s largest forest certification organisation. It promotes sustainable forest management – environmentally, socially beneficial and economically viable – through independent third-party forest certification. Products carrying the PEFC logo indicate that the wood-based raw material comes from sustainably managed forests. Nexans – France Fax : +33 15669 8484 Email : nexans.web@nexans.com Website : www.nexans.com Season of change for springs Nexans is confirming its commitment to sustainable development by implementing a ‘green drum’ programme. In this initiative, Nexans is working with its wooden cable drum suppliers to become the world’s first cable manufacturer to upgrade to drums holding the PEFC TM (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) certification. Nexans has a total population of some 350,000 wooden cable drums in circulation at any one time within the European Union region alone. The drums are designed to be re-used a number of times and, according to their age and condition, be replaced each year. For all replacements from 2010 onwards, Nexans is deploying only green drums, produced with PEFC certified wood and carrying the distinctive PEFC logo. The programme relies on the availability of certified wood, and this is why its initial focus is on Europe. Rolling out a green drum programme The International Authentication Association (IAA) is urging cable manufacturers to invest even more in anti-counterfeiting strategies and technologies, and not reduce their efforts in an attempt to save costs during the current tough trading conditions. The chairman of the IAA was commenting on the British Cables Association initiative to tackle the problem of counterfeit cables. The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) aims to address the issue of unsafe, non-approved and counterfeit cables from the UK market. It has the backing of various industry bodies including the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), the Electrical Distributors Association (EDA), Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), Electrical Safety Council and the NICEIC Group. The IAA believes that too many dangerous cables are entering the UK via organised importers who are not complying with their legal duties under UK regulations. The UK market for electrical cables and systems has an approximate value of £2bn. It is estimated that up to 20% of cable products in the cable systems supply chain are unsafe, non-approved or fake. International Authentication Association (IAA) – UK Investment urged to tackle counterfeit cables

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EuroWire – November 2010