Pictured above: Simon Griffiths, Chief Executive of the Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM)

Manufacturers in the Black Country need to embrace the three 'Ps' if they are going to continue to emerge from the downturn warns a leading support specialist.

Simon Griffiths, Chief Executive of the Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM), believes investing in products, processes and people will be the crucial ingredients for local companies looking to grow and prosper in 2010 and beyond.

He also welcomed the Coalition's intentions to produce a 'Manufacturing Framework' document later this year and reinforced calls for specialist on-the-ground support for industry to be strengthened and not taken away.

"There has been considerable talk about the need to create a more balanced economy, one where a greater proportion of our GDP comes from manufacturing," explained Simon.

"This is excellent news, but at the same time we cannot underestimate how big this challenge is for a sector that is still replacing lost orders and volumes that were so quickly wiped out this time last year."

He continued: "What we need is a clear view from Government about how it aims to develop manufacturing in the Black Country and indeed the UK. 

"The potential is undoubtedly there and we need to harness this by making sure the right environment is in place to grow.

"This means that we need better access to affordable finance, we need to improve the skills of our workforces and we need to provide manufacturers with focused, at elbow business support. This will help to ensure companies are not missing out on new orders and the growth and job creation that follows."

Simon's rallying call comes on his first anniversary as Chief Executive of MAS-WM, an eventful period that started with manufacturers reporting losing volumes of 30, 40, 50 and even 80%.

The following twelve months has seen the industry bounce back and order books are now creeping up and some limited recruitment is taking place in sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical and renewable.

"Local companies are still cautious and are delaying capital expenditure and skills development as a result of renewed commentaries talking of a 'double dip' recession," continued Simon.

"This could seriously strangle growth and we need to create conditions whereby manufacturers feel able to invest in the expansion of their businesses. In short, we need to get out there and make the most of new global opportunities, especially in low carbon."

The qualified mechanical engineer firmly believes the three 'Ps' hold the key - new products, world class processes and skilled people.

"Personally, I feel we need to focus on innovation, growth and skills. Unless we develop new products we will be unable to grow our businesses and to do this we need skilled graduate engineers, apprentices, shop floor operators and management able to convert clever ideas into saleable, profitable products.

"Now is the time to be investing in the 3 'Ps'. I'd like to think that in a further twelve months the media will be writing about how successful we have been in growing our way out of the recession as a result of focused investment in our regional businesses."

Established in 2002, MAS-WM has assisted over 6000 companies to improve their products, productivity, processes and people, adding over £250m to the turnovers of those firms that have embarked upon in-depth business improvement projects.