Clearview North May 2013 - Issue 138 | Page 68

ENERGYEFFICIENCY Free sales and marketing tips for environmental SMEs The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies has produced a free online sales and marketing plan generator. The planner is designed to help small and medium enterprises operating in the environmental technologies sector find cost-effective methods for promoting their businesses. The online tool walks users through a series of questions in order to determine current sales and marketing activities. The tool then generates a downloadable report that provides advice on how to improve the company’s sales and marketing tactics as well as suggesting new ways to promote your business, taking into account its size, geographical location, budget and external forces; such as the recently launched Green Deal. Cathryn Hickey, executive director for the National Skills Academy, explained why the academy felt the need to provide the service: “SMEs may feel short of the time and perceived budgets attached to sales and marketing activities, however, in a competitive marketplace, these activities are essential. Beyond our training programmes, the National Skills Academy is committed to helping businesses take advantage of the opportunities presented by the low carbon economy. “We hope that this tool can help companies take positive steps towards new sales and marketing ideas to give their business the edge over others.” The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies Sales and Marketing Guide for SMEs is available http://www.nsaet.org.uk/index. php?cID=586 Solar Division Ends after €2.4 Billion Loss The start of 2014 will herald an end to Bosch’s activities in the solar PV industry, the company has announced. Bosch Solar Energy has tried unsuccessfully to achieve a competitive position, which it attributes to global overcapacity and unsustainable module price declines. Stefan Hartung, chairman of Bosch Solar Energy AG supervisory board and member of the Robert Bosch GmbH management board responsible for the energy and building technology business sector, said: “Despite extensive measures to reduce manufacturing cost over the past year, we were unable to offset the drop in prices, which was as much as 40%.”As far as possible, individual units are to be sold quickly. All development and marketing activities are likewise to be ended. However, Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management at Robert Bosch told its associate newspaper BoschZünderOnline: “If we don’t manage to sell, we will have to stop production at the beginning of 2014.” Early estimates indicate that Bosch’s total loss amounts to €2.4 billion, including €1.6 billion in impairments. However, Denner noted that the company cannot provide a precise figure at this time.“Over recent months, Bosch has comprehensively examined every aspect of its solar business. We have considered the latest technological advances, cost-reduction potential, and strategic alignment. And there have also been talks with potential partners,” said Denner. “However, none of these possibilities resulted in a solution for the solar energy division that would be economically viable over the long term. We deeply regret this,” concluded Denner. New Energy Minister Appointed Michael Fallon MP has been appointed as Energy Minister, replacing John Hayes MP. Michael Fallon MP is to join the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, as John Hayes leaves the department to take up the role of Minister of State without portfolio. Michael Fallon will carry out the post in addition to his current role as a Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This will help to join up the Government’s work on low-carbon industries like nuclear and offshore wind and the supply chain. Secretary of State Edward Davey said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael Fallon to DECC. He brings with him a wealth of business experience and will make an excellent addition to the team. “He will help to cement the links I’ve been making across Government as energy is such a critical industry for the UK’s growth prospects, and the creation of green jobs. “We will continue to implement the energy and climate change policies that this Coalition Government has committed to.” Minister Michael Fallon said: “Both departments share a strong focus on business and the economy and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to build on their cross cutting work on this agenda. “Energy policy has a key role to play in securing sustainable future growth in the economy, strengthening supply chains, keeping people’s bills down and tackling climate change.” ‘A key role to play in securing sustainable future’ 68 THE MAY 2013 ISSUE SPONSORED BY DURAFLEX To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com