Manufacturers pledge their support to MAS-WM

FIRMS from a broad cross section of the West Midland manufacturing community have given their backing to support body Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands.

The Department of Business Innovation and Skills is conducting a review of the role of parent body Manufacturing Advisory Service to ensure it is capable of meeting the growing demands of manufacturers around the country.

It has urged firms to comment on the effectiveness of the MAS organisation and to suggest ways in which it may improve.

Nick Wall is one to have stepped forward – even though his company does not necessarily fit with the traditional image of a manufacturer.

Mr Wall is the entrepreneur behind drink-at-home cocktail brand Tails. He is adamant that his business would never have got off the ground without the impartial assistance and advice of MAS-WM.

“The external support we have received has been outstanding and really helped turn the idea into reality. Tails would simply not be where it is now without it,” he said.

“The NPD Panel, which has overseen the development process, has been a great sounding board at regular key stages, a critical aspect of the product development and a great source of specialist advice through the consultants they brought in who helped with the packaging and manufacturing.”

Kingswinford-based Clamason Industries tapped into MAS support to help with further diversification into the medtech sector.

A synchronisation project to commission and install a second production line for springs used in the ‘Solostar’ insulin pen soon followed and, within 12 months, sales had risen from £800,000 to £1.5m.

“You can’t beat having a manufacturing expert come into your business, understand what you do and then make impartial suggestions that improve the way you operate. That on the ground support is invaluable and needs to form the main element of MAS assistance going forward,” said managing director Philip Clarke.

Mark Cunnington, managing director of Dudley-based MG Welding, said: “With the assistance from MAS-WM we were able meet customer demand and provide better quality products.”

Even leading industrialist David Grove has offered his support to the organisation.

He said: “I’ve had little direct involvement with MAS but if they are helping to make manufacturers more efficient then that’s to be supported.”

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

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