FEM European Materials Handling Federation
FEM
European Materials Handling Federation Written by FEM
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n 1953, the Fédération Européenne de la Manutention (now European Materials Handling Federation) was created with the aim of fostering exchange and technical cooperation among European manufacturers of materials handling, lifting and storage equipment. More than 60 years later, this technical work is still the backbone of FEM activity. Several dozens of technical guidance documents on materials handling equipment are in use all over the world and certainly contribute to the recognition of FEM worldwide. However, FEM has widened the range of its activities that now include legislative monitoring, international cooperation, statistics, communication, cooperation with trade exhibitions… FEM now counts 15 members representing some 1,000 companies employing 160,000 people directly and generating €45bn annual turnover (2013). It is one of the largest sectors within the European mechanical engineering industry, with many companies as world leaders, and it contributes significantly to EU wealth, notably thanks to a €18bn positive trade balance. Role and objectives Last year coincided with the start of a new EU cycle with the election of a new European Parliament and the nomination of a new team of European Commissioners. FEM took that opportunity to present its midterm Vision and Strategy. The objective was twofold: 1-
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checking that FEM goals and work still match our companies’ needs and realities, and 2- presenting our sector’s vision to EU decision-makers. During our internal discussions, it rapidly became clear that the key word was “competitiveness”. Many of our companies are world leaders. In the past 10 years, important market developments have taken place. Extra-EU exports now represent close to 50% of our production value, more than twice the level of 2005. Meanwhile, domestic demand for materials handling equipment is still 25% less than in 2005. On international markets where we compete with many global players, our competitiveness is vital to our success. Our competitiveness is not built on low wages, low
‘Extra-EU exports now represent close to 50% of our production value, more than twice the level of 2005.’
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‘We identify 7 pillars to our competitiveness: safety, technology, intellectual property, global market access, people, energy, and environment & resources. FEM activities revolve around these themes.’ 6
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production costs or cheap materials. One of our great strengths is our ability to constantly design, develop and provide advanced solutions for our customers. We can only remain competitive if we preserve our reliability, flexibility, knowhow and innovation in order to maintain our leadership position, and ultimately preserve the wealth and jobs we provide for Europe. In our Vision & Strategy, we identify 7 pillars to our competitiveness: safety, technology, intellectual property, global market access, people, energy, and environment & resources. FEM activities revolve around these themes.
Key Personnel
Olivier Janin Secretary General
Current legislation Since the mid-nineties and the implementation of the EU Internal Market, FEM has been increasingly involved in technical harmonisation legislation. With nearly 20 European Directives and Regulations directly applying to materials handling equipment, monitoring EU regulatory developments has become a major activity of FEM. One issue is of particular importance at the moment. Directive 97/68 on exhaust emissions from engines used in non-road mobile machinery is under revision. It directly affects 4 families of materials handling equipment: industrial trucks, telehandlers, mobile elevating work platforms and mobile cranes. Our sector has one specificity: none of our OEMs manufactures its own engines, which makes us completely dependent on engine manufacturers to start the redesigning w w w . f e m - e u r. c o m
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‘We can only remain competitive if we preserve our reliability, flexibility, know-how and innovation in order to maintain our leadership position, and ultimately preserve the wealth and jobs we provide for Europe. ‘
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process of our machines to adapt them to new engines. Without going into details on the various issues associated with this revision, our general objective is to achieve a balanced legislation that addresses environmental aspects without disproportionately hindering our industry’s competitiveness. Other important regulatory topics include market surveillance, outdoor noise, standardisation… A revision of the Machinery Directive will start by the end of the year and this is likely to keep FEM very busy for the next few years. Benefits of membership Members’ benefits are many and varied but we can underline three. FEM members and their companies have priority access to information on upcoming regulatory developments and a direct influence on the defence and promotion of our industry’s interests at European level. In view of the impact of European technical legislation on their business, being directly involved certainly gives them an edge. They can also shape FEM technical guidance documents, which are used all over the world. Finally, they benefit from the FEM network to exchange with fellow manufacturers.
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Social Media
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European Materials Handling Federation Diamant Building, 80 Boulevard Auguste Reyers B - 1030 Brussels, Belgium Tel +32 2 706 82 37 Fax +32 2 706 82 53 info.fem-eur.com / www.fem-eur.com