Member Article

Government launch Manufacturing Advice Consortium for SMEs

The Business Minister Mark Prisk and the Manufacturing Advice Consortium (MAC) today announced plans for a new national programme to help small and medium manufacturing businesses grow in the difficult economic climate.

The new Manufacturing Advice Service will be open to all manufacturing businesses and will provide a range of support mechanisms, ranging from events and consultancy, to referrals and help with supply chain.

It is hoped that the service, which will be delivered by the MAC, will generate £1.5 billion in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard a further 50,000 jobs.

Commenting on the launch of the new MAS - Tony Sarginson of EEF, the manufacturers organisation said: “The North East economy still relies heavily on its manufacturing industries and has been well served by the various Manufacturing Advisory Services in the past.

So this new service launched today must continue to play an increasingly important role in providing specific advice to North East businesses to help them to grow. It is important the government supports these sorts of initiatives to ensure our North East industrial base continues to be part of a strong and balanced UK economy.

Business Minister Mark Prisk commented: “Manufacturing contributes half of Britain’s exports and has much higher productivity than the rest of the economy so it is essential to our plans for growth.

That is why we are taking steps to ensure our industrial base is thriving as part of a strong and balanced UK economy.“

The MAS will play a key role in the recovery of the manufacturing sector by encouraging SMEs to improve competitiveness and unlock growth potential.

Karl Eddy, head of Government Infrastructure Advisory at Grant Thornton and Head of the Manufacturing Advice Service believe that this type of programme is vital for British businesses.

He added: “As we drive this historically successful programme in to a new era we encourage business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector to contact a local advisor to find out more about how MAS can deliver real benefits for their business.”

The Manufacturing Advice Service will support the £125 million funding initiative recently announced by the Government which will cover the whole of England, supporting the supply chain and encouraging new suppliers to invest in the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .