Pictured above: Simon Griffiths (Chief Executive of
MAS-WM)
Manufacturers looking to embrace the move to a greener industry
will be given access to the most comprehensive list of experts ever
assembled when a new event heads for the West Midlands next
month.
The Low Carbon Manufacturing Forum - held at Birmingham's
National Motorcycle Museum on 10th March - has teamed up with
Advantage West Midlands and the Manufacturing Advisory Service-West
Midlands (MAS-WM) to give 50 manufacturing SMEs the chance to
attend for free in a bid to help them become more resource
efficient and to prepare them for £8 trillion of new business
opportunities.
This sponsorship, which saves each company nearly £300,
represents a unique opportunity for firms to access more than 40
interactive round table discussions on topics including 'greener
transport', 'low carbon design', 'renewable energy supply chains'
and 'meeting carbon reduction targets'.
Simon Griffiths, Chief Executive at MAS-WM, believes the forum
could not have taken place at a better time:
"In February, Lord Mandelson announced a £19m investment
package to make the Midlands a low carbon area for vehicle
development and this supplements opportunities in nuclear energy
and wind and hydro power."
He continued: "Our region seems to be at the vanguard for a lot
of this new technology and our job is to make sure that this
funding and wealth of new business is embraced throughout the
supply chain and drive future employment opportunities in the West
Midlands.
"The Low Carbon Forum is unique in that it allows each delegate
to tailor the discussions they are involved in during the day, so
each company - regardless of expertise - can benefit fully from the
interactive sessions. Better still, it is led by industry people
who have often been there, know what SMEs are going through and
understand what it takes to make it work."
More than 200 delegates have already signed up to the Low Carbon
Innovation Network-backed event, which is also being supported by
the Engineering Employers Forum (EEF) and the Food & Drink
Federation (FDF).
The day will consist of four, hourly roundtable discussions,
networking and pre-arranged meetings that encourage best practice
sharing and inter-trading.
There will also be the opportunity for manufacturers to put
their name down for further Low Carbon assistance through MAS-WM's
team of dedicated advisers.
John Neame, the driving force behind the Forum, concluded:
"Inevitably the talk is all about opportunities, but what this
event also does is look at what our firms need to do in order to
meet carbon reduction targets.
"The UK now has a legally binding framework which intends to cut
greenhouse gas emissions by 34 - 42% by 2020, a massive challenge
which SMEs need help with.
"This issue will be targeted throughout the day and hopefully
the West Midlands can keep up its good work and continue to do its
bit to become more profitable whilst helping the environment in the
process."
If you are a manufacturing SME in the West Midlands please apply
for one of the free places by visiting visit:
www.carbon-innovation.com/manufacturing/mas.