November  2010 - SPED in the UK & Ireland

SPED AGM

I really enjoyed my visit to the SPED AGM.  The venue, the numbers attending and the content were all impressive.  I came away with renewed enthusiasm to face the challenges of awakening the UK market to the benefits of accreditation and corporate membership.  I appealed in Houston for US and Canadian members to tell their UK colleagues of why they are a member of SPED. 

The UK construction market is still depressed; there is not much piping in wind turbines which still have the favour of the UK Government!  But I am talking to two training organisations that may help us get further penetration into the prospect base.

UK Process News

Nearly all of the UK process industries debate is taken up with discussion of energy issues and reducing the emissions of carbon.  Whether you are totally believer in climate change or not – and I am not, it is a fact of the political life in Europe.  Although we cannot believe that governments will actually cause brown and blackouts because energy sources cannot comply with emission regulations as the decade progresses.

So process development technologies such as biomass are getting a boost and plant control to optimise output and smart meters to reduce peak demands by pressuring the consumer’s pocket.

I am holding over contract news until my December newsletter since I have a short month next month with a visit to Italy mid month and the Christmas holiday in Spain.