UK should learn intelligent buying lessons from Germany
06 February 2012
James Bird, CEO of Stone, ICT services
provider to the UK Public Sector and education, believes that it is
about time the UK takes notice of the processes in place in Germany
and uses them to boost our own manufacturing industry and economy
helping the country through a difficult economic period.
Commenting on a recent article
http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/uk-should-learn-intelligent-buying-lessons-from-germany/
he says:
"Germany's economic stability and adoption of a successful
public sector procurement policy which champions home-grown
businesses has been a point for discussion and analysis for some
time; should we not be asking what we can learn from this model,
and why Britain is not adopting a similar method?"
"As economic uncertainty continues and the UK faces deep
spending cuts in order to tackle national deficit, businesses more
than ever need support from government-led initiatives and
consumers alike. With this concept extending to high-level
decisions such as import / export strategies, it is clear that the
continued UK reliance on imported goods is having a negative impact
upon home-grown manufacturers and producers. More than this, it
seems absurd that we continue to import goods that we are more than
capable of producing domestically, and in fact are doing so very
successfully."
"By actively encouraging local (i.e. national) investment, and
not just paying lip-service to it, the government has the
opportunity to re-vitalise our economy. We have the chance to
protect jobs and create new ones, as well as ensuring that more
taxes are paid to the state on labour and goods. Various
industries, many of which are suffering inexcusable decline - such
as manufacturing and hi-tech - have the potential to expand and
flourish, growing themselves yet further through international
export."
"Every government holds the key to its own success - in this
instance the key is faith in its own resources, labour force and
industry. The very best that Britain can offer is simply being cast
aside, and this is an unacceptable missed opportunity."
