Thursday 6 June 2013

New Rail Supply Chain Forum!

This from George Ramshaw Curry...

Given that one remit of the new and exciting DfT and BIS backed 'Rail Supply Chain Forum' is to:

  • Promote the UK rail industry, improving export coordination and exploring other opportunities for UK companies to successfully engage in both the UK and International rail sector and supply chains
you might have expected that the Director General of the Railway Industry Association would have been present at the meeting on June 4 where Messrs McLoughlin and Cable opened the proceedings.

Unfortunately said DG had something more important to do that day.


He was leading an overseas trade mission to Taiwan!

Happily none of the speakers introducing the various topics were actually from the manufacturing industry either.

So that's all right then!


UPDATE: This from the Railway Industry Association...

Perhaps churlish to suggest actually selling things overseas might meet our remit quite well...

Nonetheless, it should be noted that RIA was well represented at this meeting by its Chairman, Policy Director, and several Council members.

 
UPDATE: George Ramshaw Curry replies...

 
But what is this fantastic new body actually for?

What will it do that RIA doesn't already do, and why was nobody from the supply chain asked to be a speaker at the event?

Is this yet another industry talking shop?


UPDATE: This allegedly, and perhaps surprisingly, from Henry Kissinger...

 Getting DfT and BIS in the same room is no mean achievement!