Weighing up pros and cons on measures

I HAD the benefit of attending a Technology University in the time of ''decimalisation'' and intergration of Imperial units with the European

SI Unit system. After graduating in Production and Mechanical Engineering, I enjoyed many years managing significant cost reduction and productivity projects for major food, confectionery, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in the UK and, the rest of the world.

For one factory alone the rationalisation of Imperial units and SI (metric) allowed them to halve their work-in-progress and finished goods pending testing.

This immediately meant no longer holding £70m stock.

We as customers may not have seen any direct benefit, but it allowed the manufacturers to pursue other productivity improvements.

Maybe you bought 100g item instead of 4oz. You don’t notice the difference today, do you?

Non-UK companies will not addback Imperial measure products just to suit the British market, so don’t expect the same choice of products.

Then with Imperial there’s ounces, fluid ounces, pounds and pints and these are just the simple units, never mind pressure, torque, electricity. Ooh..and then there’s horsepower!

We have spent years emphasising the importance of STEM subjects in schools.

Next, we will be offered the

‘benefit’ that it streamlines schooling, thus making our children less equipped for higher education and business/industry where they will be working with many compound units not faced in everyday life.

Less chance of a scholarship to, say, a French or German university.

Just when their global jobs future could depend on it.

Meanwhile, many French university technical lectures are delivered in… English!

By reverting to Imperial only, we align ourselves with the US and

Myanmar. Yes, Canada and most of the ex-British Empire countries see the benefits of SI and will not be reverting.

David Stapley By email