BUSINESS FIRST INNER 3-38:Layout 1 9/6/08 17:25 Page 11
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Thanks a Billion
Marc Koska, who featured on the cover of our last edition,
celebrated two quite amazing milestones in the life of his
business in May – the production of one billion of his single-
use syringes and the saving of five million lives.
Marc’s company Star Syringe licences his patented design to
syringe manufacturers worldwide, while his charity, The Safe Point
Trust, educates people across the globe that they have a human
right to demand a safe injection. Some of the world’s worst
diseases are spread through the careless or unscrupulous multiple
use of dirty, infected syringes.
Marc celebrated at his company’s headquarters in Pippingford,
Staff at Jackson Rowe, quantity surveyors, raised over £3,500
East Sussex, with the support of many local companies, including
for The Safe Point Trust and gave the cheque to Marc Koska
the law firm Rawlison Butler and Arts and Business South East.
Paul Mallins and Graham Madin Jane Chambers of Arts and Business Laura Moffatt MP and Kevin Richmond Jane Groom and Tony Hyams-Parish,
of Star Syringe South East and artist David Cotterrell of the Sussex Community Foundation both of Rawlison Butler LLP
South East Manufacturing Shines Amidst Economic Darkness
Manufacturers across London and the South East are continuing immediate prospects. Companies are responding to the squeeze on
to defy the pervading economic gloom by posting their their margins from rising costs by continuing to invest in their
twentieth consecutive quarter of healthy growth, according to businesses to drive up productivity. However, at a time of heightened
the latest survey published by EEF South, the regional uncertainty, the government needs to send a clear message that it
manufacturers’ organisation. will ensure that the UK remains an attractive place to do business."
Despite concerns over the UK economy, 99% of businesses surveyed David Caddle, Principal Specialist at the Manufacturing Advisory
predict either a stable or growing order book, with demand overseas Service South East said that higher costs associated with raw
particularly healthy. materials, energy, components and shipping are starting to eat into
profit margins.
However, the survey does highlight some signs of pressure on the
manufacturing sector – prices are increasing but margins are being "These figures show that investment in productivity gains is helping
squeezed and the last three months have seen a reduction in new manufacturers to be more resilient to the credit crunch than many
order volume in the home market. analysts had predicted. The pain of raw material price inflation and
tighter refinancing seems to be balanced by the gain of a weaker
That said, overall output volume and orders showed positive balances pound for exporters and the sustained demand for quality output.”
for the 20th and 7th consecutive quarter respectively, and the
majority of manufacturers remain confident about future business This stability is reflected in a growth in planned capital expenditure,
prospects. Recruitment is steady, with little change predicted for the with all manufacturing sectors reporting positive balances.
next quarter.
EEF has now revised upwards its forecasts for 2008. Manufacturing is
EEF South’s Chief Executive, David Seall said, “Manufacturing is forecast to grow by 0.9% and engineering by 1.3% this year, with a
providing a beacon of light amidst the current economic gloom and slight improvement in manufacturing next year to 1.0%. Engineering
our member companies remain cautiously optimistic about their growth is expected to remain at 1.3% in 2009.
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