Words of a Board Member |
Dear members, In this autumn version of Swenews, I want to share with you some information about the developments 2008-2009 in the Paper&Board sector I am working. Pulp, paper & board are traditionally a sector in which the Swedish industry is very strong represented. Also my industry sector is affected by the financial crisis /recession. Globally, we observe a transfer of our traditional manufacturing industry from Europe/North America to Asia/Latin America. Together with this, we start to feel the increasing effects of the use of new digital media on consumptions of newsprint and printing-/writing papers. All of our important direct production costs like fibers, chemicals and last but not least energy does increase substantially and erode our margins. And finally we are faced with currency effects of the euro against dollar priced countries resulting in a loss of competitiveness. All these factors have lead to a reduced demand between 12-15%, resulting in a structural overcapacity. And this overcapacity situation will last for quite some years with new paper machines build, re-enforced by subsidies granted to former East European countries. However, there is also a lot of good news to tell and we need to exploit this. We are an industry using renewable raw materials and operate to the highest standards of sustainability. When we stick to these fundamental principles, we can use these tough times also to create opportunities on innovation, cost control and product development to get through these difficult economical time. I just mention a few: work hard on energy transition/-reduction programs, explore further the Dutch strength as good shipping/transport nation to get the logistic costs down, use our good language knowledge to do business internationally and work together with customers and authorities to further develop the paper chain in the widest sense from planting trees via production, converting to recycling. To innovate in a mature industry is a great challenge, but I am convinced that we will be able to guarantee a healthy future. As board member, I do see an important role for The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in The Netherlands to get our organization fully active to organize different activities lined up along the current business situation. In our meetings we believe to achieve a good program to do so. I hope to meet you soon and recommend a high participation in our activities in the rest of 2009. Also, we see more and more positive news that confidence in the economy is restoring slowly. I personally believe that the bottom in the recession is reached, although a big upward swing cannot be expected before the second half of 2010 with positive growth figures in consumptions and the GDP. Henk Lingbeek |
Dear Members, Last week JCC had a kicking start of the season at Vyne, with delicious wine and company presentation by Friso van de Nes from Kinnarps Nederland B.V. JCC is a very dynamic young professionals club and their autumn program looks more exiting then ever. We hope you have received the JCC flyers and that you will help us to spread them to your Young Professional colleagues and friends! |
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| New Interns | ||
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| New Members | ||
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It is with great pleasure The Swedish Chamber of Commerce welcomes the following new members to the Swedish - Dutch Network platform! | Member News | ||
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| Coming up program | ||
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| Swedish Presidency of the European Union | ||
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| Dutch Chamber of Commerce | ||
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| Export Hermes Award | ||
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JCC - Young Professionals |
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| The Swedish Church in Rotterdam | ||
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