METCOM - What is it? What does it do?

The concept behind the creation of METCOM is to provide Strength, Support and Influence through the collective actions of its Member Associations. To recognise that by working together in areas of common interest and concern, it lends Strength to the representation process while, at the same time, adding value through shared costs.

With regard to the Support provided, METCOM recognises that, while Member Associations have their own structures, and in many cases are better placed to deal with their Sector's particular requirements, most also outsource many services and that often these exist elsewhere within the collective membership. Much of the METCOM structure addresses this objective through providing regular meetings and activities at different levels where common issues can be discussed and experiences shared.

For Influence read representation. There is little doubt that, for a wide variety of reasons, the general current within which Manufacturing has to operate is becoming increasingly complex and onerous. In the UK alone, and despite the efforts of Government at de-regulation, we have more regulation today than some four or five years ago.

This is also true of the EU, where, despite much work to complete the Single Market and simplify the legislative processes and procedures over recent years, the opposite appears to be the case. The Single Market is still not complete, as originally envisaged and, indeed, as time goes on new and ever increasing difficulties seem to appear with monotonous regularity.

The same is true with Regulations and we can but look forward to more rather than less as a consequence of member States varying aspirations for change, often politically motivated.

Recognising these trends leads, inexorably, to the conclusion that the need for greater, more concentrated and powerful representation is required and, towards this end, METCOM has sought to Strengthen its role in this field and has, over recent times, spent more time and resources in developing its contacts and involvement with a wide range of bodies and institutions in both the UK and EU.

This structure is effective, instanced by the Influence which can be brought to bear through such as The British Business Bureau, CBI, BSI, SEMTA and various European Sector Committees, as well as working increasingly with other like-minded Associations in other Engineering and Allied Sectors.

METCOM continues to seek ways of achieving the objectives of providing increased Strength, Support and Influence.