MAS boosts productivity by £27m
NORTH West manufacturers which have tapped into a government advisory service boosted their productivity by £24m, according to a report.
The government’s BERR Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) said the region’s firms also increased sales and made other improvements to realise a total annual financial benefit of £155m.
The service, offers easy access to hands-on, practical assistance from manufacturing specialists, plays a vital role in giving the region’s manufacturers the support they need to improve productivity and achieve success in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Other MAS North West milestones for the 2007/08 period included 727 manufacturing reviews completed and 337 in-depth consultancy projects completed involving 845 days of intensive support to business.
Adam Buckley, contracts and programmes manager for MAS North West said: “These figures reflect yet another successful year for MAS and demonstrate the bottom line benefits that are possible.
“This is a highly practical and professional service that is delivered by manufacturers for manufacturers and fully understands their needs. As manufacturers enter even more challenging times we would urge them to make full use of MAS.”
Economic and Business Minister Ian Pearson MP pledged to help the region’s firm: he said: “Manufacturing is crucial to this country’s economic future and central to its heritage.
“British manufacturing has the talent, vision and know-how to respond to the new forces shaping the global economy. We will do all we can to help harness these forces to power its growth in the years ahead.”
