EPCA '04: key challenge to recruit and retain best people

27 September 2004 08:47  [Source: ICIS news]

MONTE CARLO, Monaco (CNI)--The crucial importance of attracting and retaining the best people to secure the profitable future of Europe's petrochemical industry was underlined here Monday by Walter Thunker, president of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA).

 

Thunker, who is also chairman of BP Refining & Petrochemicals, Deutsche BP, stressed the need to continuously develop employees if the industry is to meet key challenges such as volatile feedstock costs and increasing environmental obligations.  

 

In his opening address to the 38th EPCA annual conference, Thunker admitted that the European chemicals industry faced tough times and ongoing consolidation. But it had to create a vibrant and attractive image if it was to recruit and keep the brightest and most knowledgeable people.

 

In outlining the conference theme of developing people as the way forward in a knowledge-based industry, Thunker said new methods must be explored to help grow Europe's chemicals sector in the face of intense global competition.

 

Thunker said official attendance at the conference had risen to about 1600, comfortably ahead of last year's event. He also confirmed that the 39th annual conference would be held in Vienna and said that from 2006 the event would be merged with EPCA's logistics meeting.

 

*The EPCA conference is formally opened this evening and runs through Tuesday.

 

CNI EPCA newsroom: Suite Naiades C, Grand Hotel; Tel. + 377-9315-1070/71

By: Neil Sinclair
+44 20 8652 3214

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