Pictured above: Simon Griffiths (Chief Executive of
MAS-WM)
Manufacturers in the West Midlands are being urged to embrace
the low carbon agenda and take advantage of a £3 trillion
marketplace in the process.
Companies in the area can tap into a host of dedicated advice
and guidance that will help them identify new market opportunities
in the burgeoning "green sector", develop new low carbon products,
reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM) is
leading on this new package of support through its Low Carbon
Programme, which will include an expanded hotline service (0845 245
0845), detailed manufacturing reviews and specific projects to
ensure action plans are completed and benefits secured.
As part of the enlarged offer, there will be more advisers
operating on the front line, many boasting extensive experience in
energy efficiency and low carbon opportunities.
Simon Griffiths, Chief Executive of MAS-WM,
commented: "Whatever our personal beliefs about climate change
and the causes of it, there is now little doubt that our planet is
warming and we have to react quickly to improve a potentially
serious situation.
"Manufacturers have their role to play in this and the good news
is that the 'green' market represents a great opportunity for our
companies to transfer world class processes achieved through
automotive, aerospace and construction into this new arena."
He continued: "It's estimated to be worth £3 trillion at
the moment and expected to grow to £4.5 trillion by 2015,
with particular focus on nuclear energy, offshore wind generation,
marine energy and naturally the move towards low carbon
vehicles.
"The package we are rolling out is in line with the UK Low
Carbon Industrial Strategy and will ensure West Midlands businesses
and workers are supported in maximising the economic opportunities
and minimising the costs of the transition to a low carbon
economy."
More than 250 manufacturers in the region are expected to
benefit from this increase in support with 20 advisers already in
place to offer anything from instant hints and tips and online
resources to providing specialist one-on-one assistance in reducing
energy costs through implementing new processes.
MAS-WM will also work with Business Link, Accelerate and other
industry bodies to ensure that new opportunities are embraced, with
the possibility of collaborative networks being established in
order to explore and develop new technologies.
Simon concluded: "The low carbon environmental goods and
services sector employs about 880,000 people in the UK and this
number is growing. We want the West Midlands to build on an
encouraging start and ensure that it starts to benefit with
long-term deals, such as the 'milestone' US deal recently announced
by Coventry-based Modec."