LONDON - The British Coatings Federation (BCF) announced that the federation welcomes the UK’s new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), replacing its predecessor, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The new department has been formed in the wake of new UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.

Tom Bowtell, Chief Executive of the BCF, said, “The BCF welcomes the return of the industrial strategy to government policy. Coatings were an integral part of seven of the 11 of the sectors in the Coalition’s industrial strategy under then BIS Secretary of State Vince Cable, so we’re pleased to see it back on the agenda. The inclusion of energy policy into the business department is also something we support, given the need to make UK manufacturing more competitive. We also welcome the Prime Minister chairing the new cabinet committee on the economy and industrial strategy. It’s refreshing that she will be so directly involved in discussions on the future of manufacturing.

“We have concerns about the economic impact of Brexit and have confidence that BEIS will ensure that UK manufacturing, and specifically the coatings industry, will continue to prosper and thrive in the UK. We look forward to working with the new department so that businesses can prosper in the new post-Brexit era.”