New service to support innovative manufacturers
MANUFACTURERS looking to become more innovative are being urged to tap into a service helping them develop new products, processes and unique technologies.
The Innovation Advisory Service, delivered by Business Link West Midlands, is linking up with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS-WM) to spearhead the dedicated assistance.
More than 200 companies will be helped over the next three years and this support should create and safeguard jobs, increase regional sales and establish more than 30 knowledge based collaborations with local universities and research and technology organisations.
This service, which is available free of charge to businesses, also offers match-funding grants to help companies take projects forward.
Roy Pulley, who heads up the MAS Innovation Team, said the support would have a major impact on industry in the West Midlands.
“Thankfully, there seems to be an increasing view that manufacturing has to be a vital component of future GDP generation to balance the regional and national economy, especially in the wake of the collapsed financial services sector,” he said.
“The landscape for manufacturing is continuing to change dramatically, with large traditional Original Equipment Manufacturers disappearing and being replaced by high-tech, agile SMEs having to respond quickly to market opportunity.
“This transformation can only be fuelled through innovation; the development of new products at the right quality and price that people will buy.”
The UK boasted a high level of creativity and an understanding of market needs, but this was only half the story, he added.
“The process for new product development, the manufacturing readiness and commercialisation into the market is where support is required.
“The Innovation Advisory Service will provide guidance and support through that process, introduce specialist help in areas such as market analysis, design of product and the manufacturing solution, prototyping, IPR, product compliance and testing,” said Mr Pulley.
A team of three specialist advisers will provide free innovation mentoring, from initial review of the product proposition, identification of risk and the creation of a development plan.
Complex projects will be taken through the Manufacturing Advisory Service’s New Product Development (NPD) Gateway, which has been successfully supporting the development and commercialisation of new products since 2007.
More than £3m has been set aside for the intensive support programme and already around 30 West Midlands manufacturers are receiving help.
“Innovation needs to be a strategic imperative for manufacturers to raise their global competitiveness and MAS is striving to support as many firms as possible in this drive to ensure that the region can compete on a national and global scale,” said Mr Pulley.
MAS-WM has also been delivering the Automotive Response Programme to suppliers seriously affected by the downturn in that sector.
