New equipment to save energy for UK companies

Citation

(2010), "New equipment to save energy for UK companies", Strategic Direction, Vol. 26 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2010.05626aab.001

New equipment to save energy for UK companies

Article Type: Competitive horizon From: Strategic Direction, Volume 26, Issue 1

Businesses in the UK have an opportunity to lower energy costs through an initiative launched by the Carbon Trust. The organization surveyed 1,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and discovered that old and ineffective equipment is resulting in energy wastage of £3.3 billion each year. Instead of investing in energy-efficient new equipment, firms are cutting staff levels and paying higher energy bills. But the Carbon Trust’s Big Business Refit campaign means that companies are now able to receive advice on how to identify and replace ageing equipment and obtain financial assistance in the shape of interest-free loans. It has been announced that £100 million in funding is available. A report published by The Engineer Online (www.theengineer.co.uk) points out that the resultant saving in energy costs makes loan repayment more manageable. The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are among various industry bodies supporting the scheme, which has also received backing from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). According to Carbon Trust estimates, the campaign will lower energy costs for around 3,000 SMEs in the UK by a total of £40 million. It will run until the end of March 2010.

Singapore still top place for business

The latest survey into the reform of business regulations has seen Singapore being identified as the best economy for conducting business in for the fourth consecutive year. New Zealand was ranked second with Hong Kong, the USA and the UK completing the top five. A range of objective measures are used to rank 183 nations on the basis of indicators that include starting a business, trading across national borders, paying taxes and closing a business. A report published by Doing Business (www.doingbusiness.org) shows reform to be especially prevalent within many developing economies in Eastern Europe, North Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. Rwanda, for instance, was ranked as the world’s leading reformer in several key categories and this achievement represents a first for any Sub-Saharan African economy. Progress was evident within 131 economies and worldwide financial problems did not prevent a record number of reforms during the year ending May 2009. Reformers focused chiefly in areas relating to starting and operating a business, and tightening regulations surrounding property rights, commercial disputes and bankruptcy procedures.

Communication growth opportunity in Latin America

According to a report published by Business News Americas (www.bnamericas.com), around 40 percent of voice communications in Latin America will be conducted by IP or mobile networks by 2013. In 2008, the figure recorded was 34 percent. Consultancy firm IDC suggests that increased use of instant messaging and fixed and mobile e-mail will further accelerate the shift away from TDM networks, which accounted for two-thirds of voice traffic at the end of 2008. During that year, the telecoms market in Latin America grew by 11 percent to reach $142 billion, as opposed to average worldwide growth of 4 percent. Mexico, Venezuela, Chile and Columbia lead the way and it is the belief of IDC that plenty scope for further expansion remains. The report points out that broadband adoption grew by 37.5 percent in 2008 with increased penetration greatest in Chile and Argentina. Strong growth is predicted for Columbia and Venezuela in coming years as availability and competition increase further. It is also predicted that the $6 billion spent on mobile data services in 2008 will double in five years, while company spending on business tools like ERPs, intranet, CRM and mobile access to e-mail is likewise set to grow within several Latin American economies.

India to buy more Bangladesh goods

The Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes that the country’s exports to India could rise to $1 billion or more by the end of 2011. The organization claims that growth is being driven by an increasing demand for Bangladeshi products that include food, textiles and toiletries within India’s north-eastern states. Ready-made garments already account for over 80 percent of Bangladesh’s total export revenue and the country hopes to increase its quota to India from 8 million to 20 million pieces. A report published by the Independent (www.independent-bangladesh.com) also predicts that Bangladesh will enjoy strong growth during the next two years in the export of plastics, cement, stone chips, furniture and dry fish. Manufacturers in Bangladesh have recently begun to provide India with bricks and potential in this area is likewise recognized. Enthusiasm here is, however, somewhat tempered by the fear of pollution caused by the current lack of emission control mechanisms within most brick manufacturing firms.