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South East Manufacturers Welcome Government Investment
20th December 2010Manufacturers in the South East have welcomed the Government's decision to invest £50m into the sector's leading support body and launch a review into the future of advanced manufacturing.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), which in the South East has helped more than thousands of small to medium sized firms since its launch in 2002, will receive the funding over three years following its recognition as ‘a highly valued advice service to industry’ by Business Minister Mark Prisk.
David Caddle, Programme Manager for MAS South East, said: “We are obviously delighted that the Government has confirmed its continued support and commitment to MAS. The feedback that we receive from the many firms we help each year in the region tells us that the work we do has a direct impact on the profitability and efficiency of their business. We can now focus on continuing and evolving that support as part of the UK’s investment in its strong manufacturing base.”
One manufacturer to have recently taken advantage of MAS South East support is Keaflex, manufacturer of precision rubber mouldings. Through the MAS South East Strategic Planning Programme, the company has developed a new business plan set to increase turnover and profitability whilst maintaining the future stability and growth of the business.
Andy Tuffield, Managing Director, Keaflex, said: “It is encouraging to hear that MAS support will continue – Keaflex has a great relationship with MAS South East and to date we have implemented a number of successful operational improvement projects. Following the MAS South East Strategic Planning Programme we are now in a strong, stable position to confidently move our business forward opening up new business opportunities, delving into new markets and offering up new solutions to our customers – maintaining our profile and position within the competitive precision mouldings industry.”
News of the renewed funding came as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) announced ‘The Growth Review Framework for Advanced Manufacturing’ which was published last week. The report examines how to remove the barriers preventing the UK becoming Europe’s leading exporter of high value goods and stopping people from seeking a career in engineering.
Prisk said: “A strong manufacturing base is essential for a balanced economy, where exports and investment drive growth, not debt and unsustainable government spending. The review into Advanced Manufacturing will see the Government align with industry in our shared ambition to put manufacturing industries on a more solid footing than in the past decade.”
The Government also announced plans for an ‘Advanced Manufacturing Summit’ in January, to be attended by manufacturers and key Ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Prisk continued: “I am looking forward to the manufacturing summit which will be an opportunity to agree actions that Government, industry and education can take over the next 10 years to meet our challenging ambitions."
For more information on how MAS supports UK manufacturers visit www.mas.bis.gov.uk
For more details on the framework visit: http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/business-sectors/manufacturing-and-materials/manufacturing
Media enquiries:
Charlotte Vine, Senior Account Manager
Harvest Marketing Communications
Tel: 023 9244 9655
Email: charlotte.vine@harvestpr.co.uk
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East
MAS South East provides companies with practical help and hands-on support in all aspects of manufacturing; offering easy access to professional and experienced manufacturing specialists focused on delivering real bottom line benefits – ‘Support for manufacturers from manufacturers’.
Launched by the Government in 2002, MAS is a key component of the Government’s Solutions for Business portfolio and plays a vital role in giving UK manufacturers the support they need to improve productivity and achieve success in an increasingly competitive global economy.
MAS South East supports manufacturers in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Sussex.
MAS Contributes to and Celebrates Manufacturing Success.
