Plastics and Rubber Equipment Group

The Plastics Machinery sector in UK is made up of approximately 150 small and medium sized companies, typically focused on niche markets. In production terms, these companies manufactured 200 million Euro worth of Machinery in 2000. The sector is heavily reliant on export (indeed, as a consequence of enhancements and re-exports, more machinery is exported than produced).

The larger companies that made up a significant part of the UK Plastics Machinery Industry in the past, have now, in the main, been absorbed into Multi-national Plastics Machinery Groups. As a consequence, the UK Industry is no longer associated with the production of large processing machinery (e.g. high volume injection moulding and Blow Moulding), instead offering an extensive range of high quality, bespoke smaller processing, test and ancillary equipment. By nature of sophisticated plastics recycling legislation in the UK, the industry is also noted in the field of re-processing equipment

UK Plastics Machinery design is well regarded, with particular emphasis placed on high added value and adherence to specification - customer service and support is also widely acclaimed. UK companies tend to be environmentally conscious and design and manufacture to the highest environmental standards. The manufacturing base is typified by efficient, innovative, flexible companies operating at the cutting edge of technology and able to respond quickly to new requirements ensuring that, despite a high valued currency, UK companies continue to be competitive in the global market place.

The BPF pay membership and attend meetings of the European Plastics Machinery Manufacturers Association (EUROMAP), protecting UK machinery interests in International Issues and Exhibition Matters and giving members access to Orgalime Newsletters on European Issues.

BPF Machinery Group Members continue to recieve regular bulletins from the BPF, advising on legislation, business climate and export matter. Members of the group can also benefit from working with Plastics Businesses and End-users through the range of BPF Committees.

The BPF is representing our members on the COMMET 2005 Organising Committee. COMMET 2005 is of particular interest to the Machinery sector. The Production Machinery and Tooling sector Trade Associations have established a programme to increase the competitiveness of the industry. The eight strands of the project are:

This wide ranging approach enables the Project Partners and in turn, the Member Companies, to address key competitiveness issues and develop expertise in the core areas. The BPF is one of the 14 project partners.

The BPF Plastics & Rubber Equipment Group is the vital link between Machinery Businesses and the other parts of the UK Plastics Industry }