MAS expertise delivers over £8m in added value for SMEs
The BIS Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has published its annual report for the period 2007/08.
The BIS Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has published its annual report for the period 2007/08. Regional figures show that £8.2m of added value (GVA) has been delivered to the manufacturing SMEs it has worked with across the East Midlands. Other MAS East Midlands milestones for the 2007/08 period include: 720 enquiries; 160 manufacturing reviews; 250 participants attending awareness/training events; and 70 in-depth consultancy projects, involving nearly a quarter more support days than the previous year.
The report was launched at the MAS Annual Dinner hosted this year by MAS South West at Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, Somerset. The event was a celebration of the successes delivered by the Government’s primary manufacturing business support programme.
Speaking at thedinner, MAS ambassador Dr Bryan Jackson OBE and Chair of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) which funds the service in this region, said: "These figures reflect yet another successful year for MAS and I am very proud to be a part of it.
“For all of those at MAS who have committed time, passion and energy to the programme, it is extremely encouraging to record such strong results. As manufacturers, we all understand the importance of good measurement – it rewards hard work and gives us a benchmark to work from. Thanks to your efforts, manufacturing firms around the UK are improving productivity and rising to the challenges of competing in a global market.
“This has been an extraordinary year for MAS and I have a feeling that the companies we target are going to need our experience, our vision and our understanding more than ever over the next 12 months."
Commenting on the role of MAS, Economic and Business Minister Ian Pearson MP said: "Manufacturing is crucial to this country’s economic future and central to its heritage. I know MAS stands ready to work with UK manufacturers as they face up to the challenges of the current climate and we in Government intend to play our part by creating the right atmosphere for advancing technology and for fostering international links.
"British manufacturing has the talent, vision and know-how to respond to the new forces shaping the global economy. We will do all we can to help harness these forces to power its growth in the years ahead. And I know the Regional Development Agencies, BIS’s delivery partners for MAS, are just as committed to its continued success, because manufacturing needs a service that understands its particular needs."
As of 2008, having listened to the needs of manufacturers and the advice of the Ministerial Advisory Group on manufacturing, MAS has expanded its services to assist with strategic planning and skills development, sourcing supplies, servicing and equipment, the application of lean techniques across the whole organisation, making supply chain improvements and improving resource efficiency.
MAS Centre Director Tony Pritchard said: “There’s no doubt that manufacturers in the East Midlands are facing tough times ahead or are already feeling the pinch - so for many businesses, finding ways to improve their performance has never been so important.
“As there’s a large degree of flexibility built into the scheme, we’ve been able to adapt quickly to support those companies finding the current climate particularly difficult. This includes focusing on streamlining operations beyond the shop floor to reduce costs and unproductive activity wherever possible, helping them get smart about how they use resources or source better value suppliers. For a lot of companies at the moment, their top priorities are improving cash flow and cutting overheads.”
Manufacturing advice for manufacturers, by manufacturers has always been the programme’s adopted slogan and is an ethos the MAS practitioners uphold.
