SPRA President’s Report

I am pleased to report that the SPRA has had a very positive year. Our membership has strengthened, our technical programme has delivered some excellent presentations with record turnouts and our annual Dinner Dance was widely regarded as one of the very best we have hosted. We also organised our first event entirely for school pupils - the 'Fantastic Plastic' presentation at Edinburgh Napier University last September. This was so successful that we have planned to run it again this year and with two venues this time to cater for the even larger anticipated audience.

I am delighted that we have been able to recruit 7 new Corporate Members in 2010. This will help raise the profile of the SPRA and also provide a boost to membership income. The SPRA's heightened profile is also reflected in two awards from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. The SPRA has been recognised as Local Society of the Year, from 60 Local Societies throughout the UK, and Charlie Geddes received an Outstanding Service Award, after many years service on the SPRA Council and its predecessors. 

The SPRA continues to maintain and develop links with a wide variety of other industry and government bodies, associations and organisations, ensuring that the SPRA voice is continually being heard.

The economic backdrop has continued to be very tough for our industry but some companies are now seeing signs of improvement. Investment decisions, which have been delayed awaiting the outcome of the General Election, should now move along and the weaker pound will continue to help our industry members develop their export business.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their support over the last year at our different events and I look forward to meeting more of you in the year ahead. My sincere thanks to my fellow Council members for all their efforts and valuable input over the last 12 months. Let's hope the year ahead is a good one for all of us!

Fergus Hardie, SPRA President