AGM and annual dinner

Citation

Margaroni, D.J. (1998), "AGM and annual dinner", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 50 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1998.01850aab.008

AGM and annual dinner

AGM and annual dinner

This year saw a marked change in many areas of the activities of the British Lubricants Federation, many of these changes being either a direct or an indirect result of the changes in the industry itself. Many will be aware of the mergers currently taking place within the industry, the Mobil/BP joint venture predominating. Others include the Shell Chemicals/Esso Paramins merger, the Newton Oils/Morris Lubricants merger and the Shell/Gulf merger. The net effect is a reduction in the potential membership base of the Federation, also a reduction in the numbers attending functions. This was evident at this year's annual dinner, held on 5 November, when the attendees numbered only some 460, a significant downturn on previous years. The Federation had already planned to move from the Grosvenor on Park Lane, the traditional location of the annual dinner of the British Lubricants Federation (formerly the National Lubricating Oil & Grease Federation), for the past 60 years. This was a result of an anticipated attendance in excess of 500, based on previous years' figures, this number exceeding the comfortable capacity of the ballroom of the Grosvenor. However, it was considered unlikely that the minimum number requirements of the Great Room would be met; hence the reasoning behind the move away from the Grosvenor. Since the membership had previously indicated strong support for the annual dinner to remain in the capital, it was necessary to identify a new London venue. Even in London, there are surprisingly few locations that can host an event of this scale; nevertheless a more than adequate alternative was located near at hand at the Hilton on Park Lane.

BLF dinner at the London Hilton, 5 November 1997. From right to left J.E. Barnes, immediate past president, R.G. Parker, executive director, A.J. Parsons, new president

The day's events included the traditional annual general meeting of the Federation, followed by a meeting of the Council, both of which took place at the Hilton during the afternoon preceding the formal dinner. The opportunity was taken to assess the success of the new structure of the federation, introduced at the time of the AGM the previous year. At that time, the council was re-organised along more business-like lines, with each of the six vice-presidents becoming responsible for a specific area of activity. The outgoing president, John Barnes, of Millers Oils, summarised the year as having been most successful, the changes in the structure having brought about a welcome re-orientation and improved focus in achieving the aims and objectives of the Federation. A further measure of the changes in attitude within the Federation was that, for the first time, the incoming president, Adrian Parsons, although well familiar with the activities of the Federation, had not served previously on any of the committees or held any other Federation office, unlike all previous presidents.

Later, at the formal dinner, the Federation had taken the traditional opportunity to welcome delegates from associated organisations; these included: College of Petroleum and Energy Studies (represented by Ian Williamson); Union Européenne des Indépendants en Lubrifiants (represented by Jacques Delacour); Centre Professionel des Lubrifiants (represented by Jean-Claude Dufour); VSN The Netherlands (represented by Jos Jong); Chambre Syndicate Nationale de l'Industrie des Lubrifiants (represented by Marcel Pedenaud); Department of Trade and Industry (represented by D. Saunders); Industrial Lubrication and Tribology (represented by Editor Bill Wilson); UK Petroleum Industries Association (represented by Michael Frend); Petroleum Industries Skills Council (represented by John Fuller); European Lubricating Grease Institute (represented by Terry Dicken); Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (represented by Tony Wilson); Association Technique de l'Industrie Européenne des Lubrifiants (represented by Bob Davidson).

The traditional address by the president summarised the events of the past year, emphasising the success of the new structure. Highlights of the last year included a number of very worthwhile achievements. A technical seminar had been held earlier in the year and had included presentations on Current Developments in Health and Safety Issues, Current Issues in Transport Legislation, Developments in Occupational Health, Current Developments in Environmental Management, Current Issues in Quality Management Systems and finally Integrated Management Systems. A case study had been commissioned, and a follow-up practical workshop-style seminar had been held on the subject of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997.

A party of Federation delegates had visited the PetroCanada plant, near Toronto, earlier in the year. This plant comprises two main manufacturing areas. The White Oil stream has a capacity of over 250,000 mt/year, and supplies some 25 per cent of the world's requirement. The Iso-Dewaxing stream has a capacity of some 250,000 mt/year, and produces mineral oil basestocks of very high performance, with properties almost rivalling those of synthetics.

Two Product Awareness seminars had been held, aimed at the education of more junior members of the membership staff.

The Lubricants Plants Operation Level 2 National Vocational Qualification had been approved by the parent body and was now being "piloted" on a limited scale before being introduced on a national scale in the near future. A major presentation on the subject of Lubricant Development to meet the Challenge of European Emissions Control Legislation had been made by the Federation at the Annual Conference of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, held at Telford in May.

Contacts with government departments had continued to develop, with the Federation being invited to participate in an Environment Agency Task Group in an attempt to resolve industry worries over the classifications of special waste. In addition, the Federation has contributed to the compiling and amending of various items of proposed legislation, including those relating to the Working Time Directive, the Water Pollution and Bunding Control proposals, and with HM Customs and Excise on the Tied and Technical Oils status. The president confirmed that the Federation was now recognised as the lead body for the UK Lubricants Industry, and that it was pursuing a policy of aligning itself with the requirements of the DTI model for trade associations.

An important development was the formulation of a new long-term plan for the Federation, which incorporated a revised mission statement and vision, details of which would be circulated early 1998. Paramount were the needs to raise quality standards, to improve education and training, to set specific targets for improvement, to strive for a competitive world-class industry, to improve communications both internally and externally, and to continue to develop the long-term vision. The long-term objectives were to support a British lubricants industry that is the most innovative, quality focused and competitive throughout the world. The president finished by thanking the sponsors, Fuchs Lubricants (UK) Ltd, H & P Freightways Ltd, Norman Lewis Tankers Ltd, and United Storage, for their generous financial assistance in supporting the event.

Following the address by the president, formalities were kept to a minium. The new president, Adrian Parsons, was duly presented with the badge of office and made a short acceptance speech. The President's Award was presented to Peter Vickers, managing director of Benjn R. Vickers & Sons Ltd, for his work in chairing the Federation Long-Term Planning Group. The Brett Golf Cup was presented to Steve Mattinson, of Blagden Packaging Ltd. All present were then entertained by Mike Burton, who featured in the television programme The Comedians some years ago.

The overall impression was that the move to the Hilton had not in any way detracted from the enjoyment of this event; in fact the Federation had shown commendable resourcefulness in the way that they had reacted to this, and other changes in situations, which can only bode well for the future of this organisation.

We look forward to this year's event, which will be held on 4 November 1998, and in all likelihood at the same venue.

D.J. Margaroni