GTMA board appointment offers Far East business opportunity knowledge

He brings a wealth of knowledge, contacts and experience of business operations in the Far East to the organisation. "I am pleased to have this opportunity, to bring my experience to the GTMA's board and membership," Mr Barnes said. A fully indentured mould toolmaker, his experience of operating successfully with companies in the Far East began in the mid 1990s, while he was tooling manager for the telecommunications giant, Motorola. Subsequent business roles kept him in contact with companies in the Far East, which will provide the GTMA membership with both opportunities and challenges. "China is a huge potential marketplace with a large spending capacity, and first generation consumer technology is now being launched there. Our mould and toolmakers, as well as moulding companies, have to look at China as a customer not a competitor. Of course they can produce high volume parts at prices we can't compete with, but on small volume runs we can match and even beat their prices. "Our skills have to be sold to the rest of the world," underlined Mr Barnes. "The MRC can provide the conduit for these skills and to establish long-term business relationships. The large manufacturing plants currently being built in China will need European support within the supply chains as they develop. If we do not get involved the chance will wither on the vine."