Association update

We check in with some of the key associations to see what they’re up to

Association of Chief Fleet Operators (ACFO)

What are the critical issues affecting your organisation in the 2009?

Survival! Fleet activity has closed down with many fleet budgets frozen. Many members are not even able to pay our £170 pa subscription fees due to cutbacks. We are having to budget to eat into our financial reserves to ensure we maintain membership services.
    
We also need to capitalise on the opportunities for growth, available as our organisation can help educate/train SMEs to cut/contain fleet costs and meet environmental targets and objectives.

What do you consider to be the key issues affecting your industry at this time?

Credit/loan restrictions, as well as a lack of business confidence. Cars and vans still need replacing and where this is allowed, there are funding availability constraints on many fleet operators. All decisions become ‘frozen’ even where it is commercially beneficial to invest.
    
There is an unwillingness to invest in case fleets have to be cut back due to downsizing/ redundancies etc. All counter to the ability to invest in lower prices in the soft market.
    
Maintaining downward pressure on exhaust emissions is a priority.

How do you work with government and other business sectors/stakeholders?

We deal with the motoring and fleet taxation groups at HMT/HMRC. We meet by agreement whenever there is something to discuss (their consultations/our problems).
    
We have representation on several working groups and committees where our resources can accommodate the timings and frequency of meetings of interest/concern.
    
We also deal with other representative bodies; eg leasing – BVRLA, manufacturers – SMMT, dealers – RMIF etc.

How do you assist members?

In many ways; networking opportunities/Q&A facility on website, collected libraries/ downloadable resources; bring consultations to their attention for their individual opportunities to participate/respond.
    
We organise seminars and conferences as indicated by ‘big’ topics (eg changes to corporation tax/writing down arrangements and rates for company cars). Active MSO to deal with many queries and offer signposts to resource/other members with relevant expertise.

Do you lobby on behalf of your members?

Yes but ad-hoc and limited due to resource constraints and the huge diversity of members’ activities/policies/circumstances.

How do you inform public policy?

Responding to relevant submissions/pre-Budget and pre-Pre-Budget Report meetings/submissions. Also provide direct facilities for government to contact ‘typical’ members directly.

What key events/exhibitions are you responsible for and how are they perceived within your industry?

We are only responsible for our own internal conference (with AGM) and seminars. We also participate at various trade conferences, events and shows.

How do you promote best practice within your industry?

We actively promote development of best available and relevant practices for fleet management. BP varies according to size/style/wealth of fleet operators and their levels of activity (mainly business: private mileage splits).
 

Asphalt Industry Alliance

What are your main concernsas an organisation?

The AIA was established to increase awareness of the asphalt industry and the benefits of asphalt. Its primary concern is the deteriorating condition of our roads, caused by decades of inadequate funding of highways maintenance, and the need for central government to commit to improving the situation by further investment of funds.

What are the key issues affecting your industry at this time?

Lack of sufficient ring-fenced budgets to allow highways engineers to maintain their roads in adequate condition, resulting in a patch and mend rather than planned preventative approach to maintenance.
    
Increasing raw material prices further reducing the investment in road maintenance work. Low public and political recognition of the importance of the road network as a valuable asset.

How do you assist your members?

By promoting the benefits of asphalt generically and publicising the efforts the industry is making to develop improved products with more efficient environmental and sustainable qualities. Greater understanding of issues affecting customers and suppliers is fostered through communications initiatives. Inadequate funding of road maintenance is regularly voiced through the media.

How do you promote new products entering your marketplace?

Individual companies promote specific new products. The AIA promotes the qualities of generic products such as modern performance surfacings, which are quicker to lay, improve skid resistance, reduce spray and noise and give a smoother ride, through channels such as the Asphalt Now newsletter and a new 10-minute informative DVD.

How do you work with government and other business sectors?

We provide information via various channels including newsletters, events and the Internet. Regular meetings improve understanding of customer/supplier issues and government policies.
    
An annual survey, the ALARM Survey, of local authority road funding and road conditions produces benchmarked information invaluable as a ‘health check’ for the state of the local authority road network.

What key events/exhibitions are you responsible for and how are they perceived within your industry?

The AIA’s annual Asphalt Conference is an important diary date for asphalt suppliers, contractors and customers alike. Each year it focuses on a topical theme, with high profile speakers delivering the latest information on industry developments and practices. Over recent years a more informal format involving celebrity speakers and, in 2008, a Question Time style panel of experts responding to delegates’ questions has proved very popular.
    
A summer workshop for highways engineers provides an informative environment for both customers and suppliers.
    
Regional forums bring to public and local political attention the issues surrounding the provision of well-maintained roads.

Do you lobby on behalf of your members?

Member companies carry out lobbying on an individual basis. The AIA seeks to educate and inform by distributing appropriate, generic information and uses the ALARM Survey report to present the case for increased highway maintenance funding to MPs and government departments.

How do you inform public policy?

Through publicising the ALARM Survey results as well as the provision of informative material, liaison with other related associations and trade bodies, and events such as the regional forums.

How do you encourage best practice within the industry?

By sharing and publicising the best practice guidelines developed by the Quarry Products Association and the Refined Bitumen Association, and by promoting the benefits of quality products laid by approved contractors.

Road Users's Alliance

What are your main concerns as an organisation?

To promote a rational response to the transport and mobility demands of the UK by increasing investment in the strategic road network, and to reduce congestion.

What are the key issues affecting your industry at this time?

The lack of public and political will to provide balanced investment in the road network and the lack of funds to allow the construction of a well-designed strategic road network that reflects the current and future growth in vehicle ownership and traffic levels.
    
A concentration on the perceived personal privacy issues relating to the introduction of a national road pricing system that currently appears to be the only means of providing the funding solution for the road network required.

How do you assist members?

By representing their interests and concerns to politicians, opinion formers and the media. By providing opportunities to discuss and form policy, as well as exchange practical and political solutions at high level round table events, and by providing one focused channel of communication for the need for an improved strategic road network.
    
This is assisted by the generation of information on the data which show the UK’s failure to grasp and respond to the challenges of traffic growth threatens the economy, the environment and road safety. The annual Road File publication is a compendium of facts that helps inform transport debate. Hard copies are available to members free of charge, who also have access to all the source data and reports.

How do you promote new products entering your marketplace?

RUA does not promote new products but strives to stimulate ideas and debate that could help identify a solution to the need for provision of a strategic road network that meets the economic, environmental, and social needs of the country.

How do you work with government and other business sectors?

Members are also businesses or business associations with whom information and policy is shared and developed. RUA engages with parliamentarians and government departments to communicate this policy, exchange views and information, and responds to relevant government consultations.

What key events/exhibitions are you responsible for?

Regular invitation-only round table events allow the formulation of potential road policy, the sharing of knowledge and views of key stakeholders and opinion formers.

Do you lobby on behalf of your members?

Members’ policies are considered in the development of RUA’s own policy. The Alliance constantly repeats the urgent need to improve the UK’s road network and seeks opportunities to convey this message, along with proposed solution and data to support its argument to parliamentarians and government departments.

How do you inform public policy?

We do this primarily through the publication of Road File and its promotion. This fact file seeks to dispel commonly held myths about the road network, the capability of public transport to resolve road congestion, and inform debate.

How do you encourage best practice within the industry?

RUA is supportive of best practice measures that will improve safety and decrease congestion on the roads.