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Big boost for East Midlands manufacturers
East Midlands manufacturers are to benefit from the launch of a £1.3m pilot project that will see MAS EM’s services expanded to deliver even more support to the region’s businesses.
2021-08-17, by Frank Flegg, Director at BNI East Midlands
#Manufacturers || #UK || #BtoB ||
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More than 1,400 SME firms in the East Midlands, many of them employing fewer than 30 people, have been helped by MAS since 2002. Approximately a quarter of those firms have gone on to have in-depth work with MAS and this has produced a collective increase in turnover of £30m in that time.
The pilot project has been commissioned by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and will be delivered in the region with immediate effect until March 2008 when the next phase of MAS will be brought in nationally.
The current scheme provides help implementing improved manufacturing processes. The pilot will extend this to include bringing new products to market, environmental and energy performance, strategic planning, innovation and skills provision. It will also give the MAS team the flexibility to offer their services for longer, which will significantly increase the impact of the assistance that MAS can provide.
Welcoming the pilot she announced last week, Industry and the Regions Minister Margaret Hodge said it would help develop the next phase of MAS.
Mrs Hodge said: “The Manufacturing Advisory Service continues to be our flagship programme, at the heart of our strategy to help manufacturers succeed in the increasingly competitive global environment. Firms tell us that MAS has been one of the most successful business initiatives we have introduced.
“However, we want to continue to improve the service it offers, by being more strategic and by offering advice and support in a more holistic and comprehensive way.”
Chairman of emda and MAS Ambassador Dr Bryan Jackson said: “emda is the national lead for Regional Development Agencies on manufacturing and has been working with the DTI to respond to demand from manufacturing companies in the region to devise this pilot programme.
“Manufacturing plays an important part in both our national and regional economy and it is important that the Manufacturing Advisory Service across the UK provides the support that will enable companies to succeed in a highly competitive global marketplace. This £1.3m extra investment in MAS until March 2008 will expand MAS support for East Midlands manufacturing businesses.”
Before becoming Chair of emda in January 2005, Dr Jackson was the Managing Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK), where he oversaw the company expand, doubling its initial investment to £1.7bn.
