We’re keeping this month’s update topical and newsy as there are lots of relevant issues to focus on at the moment – most of them connected with our enduring commitment to improvement.

I’m starting with the new Steel Safeguard Measures announced by the Department of Business and Trade in the UK. There are currently many opinions on the subject being aired on platforms such as LinkedIn and I wanted to make Nicofe’s position clear. Our view is that despite their good intentions, the proposals will negatively impact many niche UK suppliers of speciality metals.

The problem is, the proposed quotas will be managed at a tariff code level, which does not fully account for product specifications that are outside the capabilities of UK producers and therefore puts an unnecessary burden on UK companies. For example, Nicofe stocks and distributes materials to UK producers, manufacturers and distributors in speciality products. Much of this would be outside the tariff categories as it’s Nickel based, but we also deliver some material into the UK that would fall under the safeguard categories – and therefore attract penalties.

We see a number of possible solutions including an exclusion request, so that certain products can be imported under a tariff code but free of duties, or excluding certain product types where there are incumbent approvals, for example in aerospace and defence. The good news is that the matter has been raised with various MPs across the country, (including our own), and the Department of Business and Trade are now actively engaging with the problem – so we hope to be involved very soon in industry consultations on the way forward to an equitable resolution.

Strait of Hormuz

As the conflict in the Middle East persists, customers continue to ask about the effect on material availability and price. I’d like to reiterate that none of our materials pass through the Strait of Hormuz or anywhere near Gulf ports. We have no supply issues with Nickel, Iron or Titanium alloys, which are sourced from the US or Europe and any materials sourced from China are shipped using Airfreight, which is unaffected.

However, the volatility of oil prices is impacting on freight and shipping costs, and we’re seeing some delivery surcharges as a result, but any increases will be flagged early on.

Customer survey

You may be aware that we ran a customer satisfaction survey earlier this year and then a follow-up to some respondents for more feedback. I’d just like to give a big thank you to everyone that contributed – although unfortunately the results did not provide the kind of detail we were hoping for.

These days, customer surveys seem to be woven into the fabric of consumer life and are frequently used by organisations to claim that so many thousands of people rated them as four or five star. From our experience, the process might work (to a degree) in consumer markets, but for business-to-business, where such feedback can be required as a part of an accreditation procedure for example, I think the value of this particular metric really does warrant further discussion!

Magnetics Society presentation

Wrapping up for this month, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been invited to speak at the Magnetics Society’s next event in Nottingham on 30^th June to 1^st July.

Membership of the society is drawn from industry, government and academia around the world, with the aim of advancing the scientific, technical and practical development and application of magnetics technology and materials. This event provides a forum for showcasing the latest developments in machine design and manufacture and I’ll be discussing some of the groundbreaking work we’ve been undertaking with Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre at the University of Plymouth.

If you’re interested in seeing a copy of the presentation, just let me know.

Get in touch

Please contact me for any additional information on the issues discussed here, including the Steel Safeguard Measures, supply situation during the Middle East conflict, the Magnetics Society presentation – or have customer survey feedback you’d like to share! Likewise, if you need to discuss an order, or have any questions or technical queries please get in touch and I’ll do my best to help!