Manufacturers urged to show support for MAS-WM

MANUFACTURERS in the West Midlands are being urged to show their support for the region’s Manufacturing Advisory Service and to suggest ways in which the service might modify itself to reflect the changing needs of the sector.

The request has been made in response to a pledge by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to reform the role of the advisory service.

BIS has committed £50m to continue funding the body for the next three years but in return, it wants assurances the money will be spent in the best possible way and that the needs of manufacturers are directly addressed.

The support is part of the coalition’s commitment to grow the manufacturing sector, which it sees as one of the few areas capable of supplying the growth necessary to sustain economic recovery.

Areas being focused on include: strengthening the support MAS gives to firms looking to restructure plant, equipment and processes; offering support beyond the manufacturing process itself ; strengthening its knowledge of new issues; advising firms on taking products to market; and giving strategic advice on issues of which manufacturers have limited knowledge.

In addition, BIS wants MAS to offer help to larger companies; to give more focus the strategic sector and technology; address the performance of specific supply chains; streamline programme management; and ensure the national service understands local needs.

The areas have been identified in a recent review of the service conducted by DTZ. The report concludes that overall, “MAS has been a successful programme”.

It adds: “The evidence suggests that it has played a significant role in helping businesses to grow and the more in-depth the intervention, the higher the impact.

“The service is also highly valued by manufacturers. Manufacturers value MAS’ practical advice and the MAS advisors who know their sector, have expert knowledge and highly specialised, technical and business skills.”

It concludes that if MAS did not exist, no other service in the market could currently deal with the very specific needs of manufacturers.

In the West Midlands, between April 1 and December 31, 2010, MAS-WM helped more than 2,000 companies to improve their operations. The support led to 800 jobs being created or safeguarded, a £40m increase in sales and £8.78m of quality, cost and delivery improvements.

Feedback should be emailed to mas@bsi.gov.uk by Wednesday February 16.