Boost for Manufacturing Advisory Service in North West
Industry and Regions Minister Margaret Hodge announced a massive leap forward for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) while on a visit to Sheffield today. The successful, highly regarded business diagnostic service will offer all small and medium sized manufacturing firms in the North West up to four days free advice from April next year.
Utterly Butterly at Dairy Crest
In addition MAS will also offer a greatly extended range of help and advice including:
- Strategic planning and skills development;
- Sourcing materials, services and technology;
- Management and operational advice on all aspects of company business;
- Improving the performance and operation of the supply chain; and
- Improved resource efficiency in both energy and waste.
Speaking at Independent Forgings and Alloys in Sheffield, a successful firm who have already benefited from MAS advice, Margaret Hodge said:
"MAS has already delivered for many manufacturing firms, helping them boost productivity, improve turnover and invest for the future.
"This expansion builds on that success and offers our world class manufacturers a tremendous opportunity to secure long term competitive advantage.
"World class manufacturers require world class manufacturing support and with a Centre of Expertise in every region MAS is providing manufacturing companies with access to world class best practice, tailored to meet their individual needs.
"MAS is a great success and I want to keep it a success. The Government will keep working with the CBI, the EEF, TUC and all our manufacturers to make sure the manufacturing strategy and the Manufacturing Advisory Service deliver for Britain."
The Manufacturing Advisory Service was created in 2002 and has been a major success for the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy. Delivered in the North West by The Manufacturing Institute, MAS expert practitioners have carried out over 2,900 on site reviews and completed more than 850 consultancy projects since its inception. Analysis of the customer feedback of benefits identified by MAS-assisted manufacturers shows that MAS North West support offered to date has helped to deliver more than £303 million in bottom line benefits.
Welcoming the expansion of the service, Dr Julie Madigan, Chief Executive of The Manufacturing Institute, commented:
"This move will enable MAS to work even more deeply with the North West's manufacturers to help them make the changes which lead to quantifiable and sustainable benefits to the bottom-line.
"The extended range of help and advice has been introduced in response to listening to what manufacturers have been saying that they need in order to become more innovative, productive and globally competitive. We're now determined to ensure that these needs are met by practical and down to earth support."
