Pictured above: (l-r) Debra Blisson (Advantage West
Midlands), Simon Griffiths (MAS-WM), Robert Salt and Philip Salt
(both Salts Healthcare)
Manufacturers in the West Midlands received a major boost today,
with more than £12m set to be directed into helping the
sector compete and make the most of global opportunities over the
next two years.
The funding, which is from Advantage West Midlands and the
European Regional Development Fund, will secure the extension of
the successful Manufacturing Advisory Service in the region until
2012.
It is anticipated that the dedicated support organisation will
assist more than 3000 companies in introducing lean manufacturing
techniques, developing new products, targeting new business
opportunities and improving their supply chain.
There will also be more money available to roll-out recently
launched initiatives focused on embracing advanced manufacturing
and low carbon opportunities.
Simon Griffiths, Chief Executive of the Manufacturing Advisory
Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM), commented:
"Manufacturers in the region have been hit particularly hard by
the recession and having access to specialist support that delivers
real bottom line benefits will be crucial in helping them emerge
successfully from the downturn."
He continued: "Advantage West Midlands has once again signalled
its commitment to the sector and the funding will immediately be
channelled into helping companies improve processes and develop
innovative products that will ensure a sustainable future for
industry."
MAS-WM has a proven track-record in supporting the region's
manufacturing base, supporting over 6000 businesses and adding
£250m to their turnovers since its introduction in
2002.
Its services - all delivered by experienced advisers - range
from immediate impartial advice through the telephone hotline to
interactive-best practice workshops and in-company reviews to
highlight performance enhancing opportunities.
There is also subsidised in-depth project support to resolve
complex manufacturing issues, access to technical expertise and
specialist programmes such as SC21 that helps companies work
towards world class supply chains for the aerospace and defence
sector.
"A lot of our success comes from our ability to understand what
manufacturers want and need and this is best highlighted by the
Automotive Response Programme that was delivered last year,"
continued Simon.
"We secured £4.5m that could be used in providing
strategic support to help auto suppliers improve their performance
and this money was all committed by the end of 2009. Its impact has
been significant, with new sales totalling more than £100m
and 2700 jobs safeguarded across 200 businesses."
Debra Blisson, Advantage West Midlands Director of Enterprise,
said: "The £12 million contract extension is evidence of
our commitment to manufacturing in the region and our belief that a
stronger manufacturing sector means a stronger and more prosperous
West Midlands economy.
"We know to succeed in the modern global marketplace we need to
up-skill, to innovate and to embrace enterprise. MAS-WM will
continue to provide that expertise and ensure West Midlands'
manufacturing competes more effectively on the world stage and
begins a new industrial renaissance for the region."
The Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM) is
delivered by West Midlands Manufacturing Consortium Ltd, a
partnership between Warwick Manufacturing Group, EEF West Midlands
and Business Link West Midlands
The two-year contract extension starts from April 2010 and will
run until 2012, with manufacturers urged to visit www.mas-wm.org or
contact the helpline on 0845 025 0845 to access support.
Simon concluded: "With the global outlook a lot more positive in
the first four months of the year, we feel that this sustained
support can give our manufacturers the best possible opportunity to
compete for future contracts and develop new technologies that will
have a real impact on the world going forward."