Four free days' advice given to UK SMEs

The UK's successful Manufacturing Advisory Service will offer all small and medium sized manufacturing firms up to four days free advice from April next year.

Industry and Regions Minister Margaret Hodge announced a massive leap forward for the UK's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) while on a visit to Sheffield today.

The successful, highly regarded business diagnostic service will offer all small and medium sized manufacturing firms up to four days free advice from April next year.

In addition MAS will also offer a greatly extended range of help and advice including the following.

* Strategic planning and skills development.

* Sourcing materials, services and technology.

* Management and operational advice on all aspects of company business.

* Improving the performance and operation of the supply chain.

* Improved resource efficiency in both energy and waste.

Speaking at Independent Forgings and Alloys in Sheffield, a successful firm who have already benefited from MAS advice, Hodge said: "MAS has already delivered for many manufacturing firms, helping them boost productivity, improve turnover and invest for the future.

"This expansion builds on that success and offers our world class manufacturers a tremendous opportunity to secure long term competitive advantage.

"World class manufacturers require world class manufacturing support and with a Centre of Expertise in every region, MAS is providing manufacturing companies with access to world class best practice, tailored to meet their individual needs.

"MAS is a great success and I want to keep it a success.

The Government will keep working with the CBI, the EEF, TUC and all our manufacturers to make sure the manufacturing strategy and the Manufacturing Advisory Service deliver for Britain." The Manufacturing Advisory Service was created in 2002 and has been a major success for the UK government's manufacturing strategy.

MAS expert practitioners have carried out over 18,000 on site reviews and completed more than 5,000 consultancy projects since its inception.

The Minister also opened a new hi-tech facility at Independent Forgings and Alloys.

The new facility will increase capacity to twenty thousand forged rings per year for supply to customers in aerospace, oil and gas equipment markets.

The Minister said: "This investment is a tangible illustration of confidence in the future of British manufacturing.

The focus by IFA on product quality and customer service has enabled them to win, and continue to win, business in the face of global competition.

MAS has helped IFA in their journey of growth.

I hope they will take advantage of the new services offered so they may continue to beat a path to global success." The boost for MAS was welcomed by a range of organisations.

EEF director General, Martin Temple said: "The Manufacturing Advisory Service has been highly valued by manufacturers and should be the benchmark by which all government support schemes for business are set.

It is simple, practical, easy to administer and access.

Most importantly, it delivers tangible results on the bottom line." The lead English Regional Development Agency on manufacturing is emda and the new service is based on a pilot developed by MAS in the East Midlands.

Chairman of East Midlands Development Agency, Dr Bryan Jackson said: "We know that manufacturing companies want to become more innovative, productive and globally competitive.

emda and all the RDAs continue to work closely with the DTI in shaping services to meet their needs.

I welcome the development of an improved UK MAS service, recognising the important contribution this sector makes to our strong and successful economy.".

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