A Message from our Chairman - 2018

Whilst contemplating the global and domestic events of this last year and attempting to find something positive to say about the possibilities 2019 might offer, I found myself at something of a loss. However, after much deliberation, I realised that despite the apparent incompetence, hypocrisy and self-serving motivation among so many at Westminster and beyond, there is still, in this country, a core of genuine people who display and embody a sense of common decency and regard for others, particularly for those less fortunate in life.
 
To exemplify this thought, it is worth considering that rather than the headline grabbing conglomerates, it is the small and medium sized businesses who employ the majority of workers, they are the backbone of the British economy. It is regrettable that in general, SMEs do not receive the recognition they deserve from the media and those in power. It is rarely acknowledged or even understood, amongst the pundits and even economists, that successful businesses not only generate employment directly within their own organisations, but indirectly by supporting the growth and consequent expansion of employment among other businesses from whom they purchase goods and services, who in their turn, support their suppliers, and so ad infinitum. 

I strongly believe that SMEs are the lifeblood of this country, not only economically, but socially and the nation’s wellbeing is demonstrably enhanced by their success, the alternative can clearly be seen in the demise of so many independent shops, following the retreat of the chains, resulting in our rapidly deteriorating high streets. Our industry, particularly the SMEs, should take justifiable pride in the social conscience displayed by the majority of its members, from their willingness to support, in very material ways, the farmers who produce our coffees, a contemporary acceptance of employees being colleagues within a team rather than just workers, the many ways that firms are genuinely endeavouring to reduce the environmental impact of coffee packaging, single use plastics, coffee miles and in so many other ways. 

Raw coffee prices declined further during 2018. Although these lower prices have not impacted greatly on the roasted product due to lower £ against $ values, increased labour costs/living wage, higher transport, packaging and interest rates, the impact is indeed felt by the farmers at origin and their families. It is important that our trade, particularly the global companies who have the greatest influence on the market, recognise that if farmers suffer a decline in their income to a point where they are forced to change out of coffee to other crops or leave their farms and migrate to the cities, it will be our industry that will suffer from reduced choice, quality, shortages and inevitably higher prices.

The global industry must stand by the producers, not forcing them and their families off the land by driving down prices at origin in order to gain short-term price advantage at consumer level.
 
Likewise, the long-term direct relationships that companies like Masteroast and our partners have forged over the years, among farmers and cooperatives throughout the world’s coffee growing regions, are all the more vital at this time and all the more important to support, not only those farmers, but to continue to grow these relationships. In the same way, Masteroast’s sustained long-term investment in innovative and eco-friendly packaging solutions, ever increasing flexibility and product range, along with industry leading, accredited quality control systems, means that our customers are empowered to successfully challenge and compete, now and in the future, with the mega-groups and their global brands.  

​It has become traditional at this time of year, that Masteroast chooses a suitable charity to whom we can make a worthwhile donation, as an alternative to sending out thousands of cards. 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice to end the First World War, an event that has prompted us to once again support The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
   
We shall also make a donation to The Blind Veterans UK charity (formerly St. Dunstan’s) which was formed in 1915 when so many British and Empire troops were becoming blinded on the battlefields.
​It is also a bit of a tradition that I say something that is intended to be both topical and humorous, albeit not necessarily always successfully for all! Unfortunately, there has not been much of late that is either worthy of a joke or printable, so I will just mention a pantomime due to be performed in the West Midlands,

​leaving it to the reader to determine whether or not it is worthy of a smile or a cringe, the pantomime is titled “Snow White and her little friends”,  PC is alive and well, although no longer referring just to Police Constable or Personal Computer.

​​Finally, I should once again like to wish a very Happy Christmas to all our partners and their families, within this grand industry of ours, and may the New Year bring peace and prosperity to all……in spite of Brexit!
 
L. G. Mills

---

This years Christmas jumper day for 'Save the Children' we raised a fantastic £223 which will help create a brighter future for children. A big thank you to everyone for their jumper efforts. 

Jumper Day 2018