Rittal, an NCFM partner, which recently turned 50, celebrated in London with several presentations at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and an enjoyable cruise on the Thames.

The presentations included one from MD Stephen Hobbs who described the celebration as a ’customer loyalty event’ that recognised the fact Rittal had made its mark by introducing groundbreaking standardised enclosures.

Karl Christoph Caselitz chief of customer operations with Rittal in Germany, said at 50 Rittal was ‘in full blossom.’

“We’re a strong force in the industry but we want to remain passionate.” He said, “We want to remain innovative and compete for your business, and we’re well placed to do that with manufacturing sites in the UK, Italy, Germany, China and India, among others.”

Keith Taylor of AMA Research, noted increased automation in many sectors will inevitably offer opportunities in the panel building market. “Additional motivation will result from the drive for increased energy efficiency and from operating cost pressures,” he said.

He added key factors influencing the choice of a suppliers’ product was availability price, fast delivery, product quality, the scope of product range available, and levels of service.

John Walker of Oxford Economics provided a wide-ranging overview of the economic situation. Worryingly, he pointed to the ‘big rises in food prices’, which he noted were actually higher than before the economic crisis.

He suggested also that for the Euro economic crisis to be resolved, the EU must also have a political union, “Think of Louisiana” he said, referring to one of North America’s poorer states. “Like Greece, Louisiana is poor but we don’t hear any talk of Louisiana leaving the dollar.”

John noted that while the service sector will lag the recovery and remain weak, manufacturing is hopeful as it’s doing better than it’s done in the past. “We have numbers that are as strong as anything we’ve seen for a long time. Yet there are many reasons to be cautious. We need to be aware some sectors are under pressure.

Afterwards, Rittal staff joined clients and members of the press on the Thames for a boat cruise. Familiar faces such as John Wilkins, Simon Kelemen and Sando Selchow could be seen mingling with clients and colleagues in what turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable – and productive – day for the company.

Today, Rittal has 10 production sites, 63 subsidiaries and 40 agencies worldwide. For the Food and Beverage industries Rittal has developed the only enclosure system which meets the requirements of the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group.