The profit margin

18th October 1980, Page 40

18th October 1980

Page 40

Page 40, 18th October 1980 — The profit margin

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THE INDUSTRY has sufficient resourcefulness to weather economic storms and our record in dealing with difficult times is good. But we must now concentrate on the means of survival — the profit margin. That was the message of hope Sir Daniel Pettit gave CM's Fleet Management Conference in his opening remarks.

Sir Daniel, chairman for the eighth time, recalled that last year at the FMC we had looked ahead to a gathering storm, now we were in the eye of it.

But transport has no reason to despair. The industry is not passive, but is sensitive to its own inadequacies, responding to the forces menacing it and has the knack of survival.

The pressures of cost-efficiency had promoted the growth of a more able breed of transport manager, trained in technology and more capable of matching transport assets to needs.

They are now backed by management and staff of increasing calibre, he said. People referred to the bloody-mindedness of staff, yet in the past 25 years they had coped with intense technological development and other changes.

It is a success story — provided we keep it up. There is no time for a breather and to rest on one's laurels, he said. "I don't think we are at panic stations but must draw on experience and up to date practices. We are a tough, skilled, and knowledgeable industry."