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EIC: From acorn to oak tree
A word from our Chairman: From acorn to oak tree As the EIC celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, retiring Chairman Hugh Saville looks at FIVE factors that have led to the highest-ever growth of the leading energy trade association during the past 25 years
1Data
High quality project data has increased greatly in volume, coverage and quality.
In the late 1990s, such information was gathered and shared with members via four ‘committees’ – UK, European, Overseas and Power. Open to member company representatives, these met quarterly to review and update paper copies of project lists. The quantity of information varied, with the Overseas committee having more than 250 pages of projects listed by country. Data was sourced primarily from international engineering contractors, many with a UK base at the time, supplemented by information gleaned from members and publications.
In 2001, Alan Lewendon and Bob Gear joined EIC and, soon afterwards, Alan suggested moving the paper-based project information to an electronic format, enabling easier interrogation and addition of data. Alan christened the new product ‘EICDataStream’ and Bob applied his IT talents to develop the process, with many subsequent iterations to follow. That was the catalyst for a broad range of increasingly sophisticated electronic business information services that are now both routine and highly advanced.
2Communication
Twenty-fi ve years ago, communication was achieved principally by post, landline telephone and fax. The internet was in its infancy (EIC’s fi rst website appeared in 1999) and email only superseded fax in the early years of the millennium. These new developments had a signifi cant impact on EIC communications, as information could now be sent instantaneously to members and other contacts globally. Suddenly communication had become much easier and faster, and EIC capitalised on that.
3Global coverage
EIC has moved from a Londonbased operation with a Houston offi ce (opened in 1995) to a global presence. Offi ces opened in Rio, Singapore (subsequently closed in favour of Kuala Lumpur) and Dubai (chosen over Abu Dhabi because of better availability of international fl ights from Dubai at the time). Offi ces in Macaé (Brazil) and Beijing existed briefl y, while others considered for Calgary, Moscow, Venezuela and Hamburg did not materialise.
4Membership
The EIC’s decision in 2017 to expand membership to companies outside the UK (unthinkable even 10 years ago!) has been absolutely crucial in generating many new memberships and by raising our profi le. Compared with 25 years ago, our international connections are now immeasurably better.
5Market changes
The UK energy industry has changed signifi cantly during the past 25 years. Initially, many international engineering companies had a UK operation, but due to acquisition, restructuring into other areas, or moving away, many no longer exist here. These companies routinely generated a range of engineering studies and EPC contracts – providing EIC member companies with signifi cant sales opportunities.
Simultaneously, as ‘mega plants’ started operating in the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere, the UK refi ning and petrochemical industries contracted, while in the power sector, supply of fl ue gas desulphurisation plants for large coal-fi red power stations dried up. It was therefore very exciting to see the UK government step up more recently, becoming world-leading in the production of off shore wind, and latterly setting high ambition for hydrogen, carbon capture and fl oating off shore wind.
