political

ecological/environmental issues current legislation home market future legislation European/international legislation regulatory bodies and processes government policies government term and change trading policies funding, grants and initiatives home market lobbying/pressure groups international pressure groups

POLITICAL Government INITIATIVES Foreign trade regulations EEC Directives Low interest rates set by Government Few grants from DTI for Zone 3 companies money available for Zone 1 companies Local government regulations

economic

home economy situation home economy trends overseas economies and trends general taxation issues taxation specific to product/services seasonality/weather issues market and trade cycles specific industry factors market routes and distribution trends customer/end-user drivers interest and exchange rates

ECONOMICAL Changing investment Government policies Corporation tax Tax and National Insurance/VAT Pressure of competition products/services attractive Pressure from stakeholders they want high profits and dividends Pressure from bank / financial institutions/ suppliers/ higher purchase demands for prompt payment plus interest Overdraft at bank - 180,000 - 200,000 each month Investment priorities amalgamation of 2 factories into one leasing one of the buildings (rent can then be used for paying bank loan) Debtors difficulty in obtaining payment from some larger companies Cash flow problems when jobs are brought forward Fierce competition in manufacturing due to low exchange rate esp Chinese Yen fixed at a low rate against the dollar Low interest rates helping companies competing against low-cost overseas imports Lack of expertise by customers DES have to establish what is actually required before they can start to draw up plans High outlay for Robotic hemming system DES expect to receive commission on sales plus income from training when this project takes off Customer list now falling dramatically due to lost contacts, retirements, closures, etc.

social

lifestyle trends demographics consumer attitudes and opinions media views law changes affecting social factors brand, company, technology image consumer buying patterns fashion and role models major events and influences buying access and trends ethnic/religious factors advertising and publicity

SOCIAL Changing expectations of customers - i.e. whole process needs to be quoted for Organisations/the community effects of pollution/noise/siting and appearance of buildings Relocation of design and machinery shops into new buildings local planning regs. Staffing/employee relations/other Staff flexi time core time excludes Friday afternoons Lack of training for staff resulting in expensive mistakes ( Project Manager) Payment by results for Project Managers - ? introducing/effectiveness of this Demographics preferable to be in Zone 1 area for Chamber of Commerce grants Updated website with effective links where DES has done work for customer No advertising in trade magazines New brochure in process of printing

technological

competing technology development research funding associated/dependent technologies replacement technology/solutions maturity of technology manufacturing maturity and capacity information and communications consumer buying mechanisms/technology technology legislation innovation potential technology access, licencing, patents intellectual property issues

TECHNOLOGICAL CAD facilities up to date design packages IT/internet speed of technology IT development equipment/computers/robotics Robot Hemming system (RHS) Machinery Update of website No patents taken out for work previously commissioned

LEGAL Health and safety Contract law Consumer protection law Company law registration of companies and the auditing of company finances Minimum wage act 1999 Ban in use of leaded petrol (2000) Employment law, Equal opportunities Disability Discrimination act EU restrictions in working hours

ENVIRONMENT Industrial pollution carbon dioxide emissions Noise levels, parking restrictions, Disposal/recycling of waste