Eric Lepine

The machinery industry says focus is critical to realise its full potential and boost jobs, innovation and growth in Europe.

During a high-level policy discussion at the European Parliament between members Paul Rübig, Sirpa Pietikäinen and Vicky Ford, officials from the European Commission and business leaders from the European machinery industry, a key message emerged.

With the start of the new EC's mandate, the EU should put a fresh focus on smart regulation, trade and competitiveness so as to boost jobs, innovation and growth during its five-year term, participants say.

"When talking about jobs, innovation and growth, the European machinery industry has an important contribution to make. One critical question will, therefore, be whether EU initiatives in the next five years will be able to structurally support the industry to unleash its full potential and help to bring growth back to Europe," Rübig says.

Following Rübig's opening remarks, business leaders from the European machinery industry highlighted key EU initiatives that could make a difference in the years ahead.

Eric Lepine, managing director of Caterpillar France and president of the Committee for European construction equipment manufacturers (CECE), outlined how the new EU draft regulation on diesel engine emission limits will impact the industry's ability to remain innovative.

"Our industry is on track and committed to delivering innovative machines that will match the new emission limits which will be the strictest in the world. However, because of the very wide variety of different products in our industry, it will remain a complex challenge to adapt all our products in time. Therefore, we need a swift adoption of this regulation, no later than Q1 2016, in order to give the industry adequate time to transition to these new emission limits. We also need the issue of niche products and replacement engines to be addressed," he stressed.

Richard Markwell, managing director of Massey Ferguson, Europe, Africa and Middle East, and president of the European agricultural machinery association (CEMA), underlined the need for the EU to defend and promote greater and freer cross-border trade.

"The European machinery industry exports a growing share of its production outside of Europe. Trade policy initiatives such as TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) will be key to deliver jobs, innovation, and growth both at home and abroad," says Markwell.

Jan van der Velden, senior manager systems at Vanderlande Industries and president of the European materials handling federation (FEM), stressed that the "industry's competitiveness does not come from low wages and low production costs, but from our reliability, know-how and innovation. The EU regulatory framework must help preserve and develop these strengths rather than limit them".