Managing Director Adrian Hanrahan on Radio 4: Preparing for Brexit

Managing Director Adrian Hanrahan has featured on Radio 4’s The World at One segment to discuss the impacts of a no deal Brexit on Robinson Brothers and the chemical industry.

Speaking with Sarah Montague, the financial implications of a no deal Brexit were discussed including an additional minimum £1.5 million cost for the company to be compliant with new UK REACH regulations relating to data access. Access to existing data is the only way to maintain an uninterrupted supply of products.

“There are also significant ongoing annual costs that we will have which our European competitors will not have due to the new rules with a deal or without a deal. This puts Robinson Brothers in a position of competitive disadvantage compared to our European competitors which is a ridiculous position to be put in by your own government. Any company who trades directly with the EU needs a positive deal and regulatory alignment at minimum extra costs” Hanrahan says.

The position of the company as a long-established family business was also spoken about, noting the longevity of the business throughout its history by surviving two World Wars, the Great Depression, the recession of 2008/9, COVID-19 and now Brexit.

Robinson Brothers have actively prepared and planned for the end of the transition period with the new rules for businesses starting 1^st January 2021.

“We can only plan for what we know, there remain a lot still that is unknown due to the political posturing on both sides. This will be a failure of politicians if we indeed end with a no deal.”

The regulatory team have worked closely with the Procurement team to ensure that all raw materials and finished products are compliant and available after January 1^st.

An internal Brexit team has been running for some time, meeting each week to ensure that the various parts of the supply chain are synchronised for January 1^st start. Changes continue to be monitored on a daily basis.

To listen to the full conversation, click here.

About Us
Robinson Brothers is a leading UK chemical manufacturer of fine chemicals and rubber accelerators. Our team of Chemists are experts in custom synthesis, contract manufacture and process optimisation. This experience has led us to become a reliable supplier to organisations; serving the Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, Veterinary, Agrochemical and Speciality Chemical industries as well as many others. Click here to view our current vacancies.

Robinson Brothers Group acquired Endeavour Speciality Chemicals in 2008.

Robinson Brothers Limited | West Midlands | B70 0AH UK
T: +44 (0)121 553 2451
E: [email protected]

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