Pictured: (l-r) John Kelly (Specialist Manufacturing Advisor
- Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands), Stephen Preston
(Managing Director, Kirkpatrick Limited), Simon Griffiths
(Area Director, Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands) and
Mike Dell (President, Black Country Chamber of Commerce)
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce held an exclusive event
for manufacturers on Thursday 19th January at the National
Metalforming Centre in Sandwell. Over 70 manufacturers attended the
event to find out how the newly structured Manufacturing Advisory
Service (MAS) is designed to support all manufacturers, to retain
and increase employment, improve productivity and deliver
significant growth to the economy.
Simon Griffiths, Area Director, MAS informed delegates "The new
nationally operated MAS focuses on helping small and medium sized
manufacturers to grow. This encompasses improving productivity and
developing new products, strategy and advanced manufacturing
capabilities. It is now a consistent service delivered locally
wherever it is needed.
"The client journey will be streamlined; MAS will interact with
manufacturers via phone call, website, client referrals and
external referrals e.g. Chamber. Manufacturers will then be guided
through an integrated action plan: Level 1 (Enquiries), Level 2
(Manufacturing Review), Level 3 (Events), Level 4 (Consultancy) and
Level 5 (Referrals).
"MAS works and it can help your business to grow. The service is
already well established and highly regarded and we're building on
previous successes and taking it to the next level.
"MAS want to help businesses grow and would urge any business
exploring the opportunity to develop advanced manufacturing
capabilities to contact us on 0845 658 9600".
Mike Dell, President of Black Country Chamber of Commerce said
"The Black Country Chamber has a commitment to helping
manufacturers; manufacturers have and always will be at the heart
of the Black Country. This is why running events and establishing
partnerships with organisations such as MAS is of vital importance
to ensure a prosperous future for manufacturers."