Product category:
Industrial Development Agencies and services
News Release from: Manufacturing Advisory Service (DTI) | Subject: National information service
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 November 2001
National information service aimed at
small firms
A major new national information service aimed at boosting the productivity of small to medium UK manufacturing companies, is to be established by engineering consultancy the INBIS Group.
A major new national information service aimed at boosting the productivity of small to medium manufacturing companies in the UK, is to be established by specialist engineering consultancy the INBIS Group under GBP 1.1 million contract awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry The service will form a key part of the DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) initiative, which was announced in February and featured in the Government's general election manifesto
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 May 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Under the contract, INBIS, as the National Network Developer, will be responsible for developing and co-ordinating a wide range of new internet and network-based services aimed at all UK manufacturers.
They will create the new service together with consortium partners ITM Group and TANet.
Commenting on the award of the contract, Industry Minister Brian Wilson said: "A strong manufacturing sector is vital for a modern, knowledge driven economy.
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The award of this contract," he continued, "is an important step forward in setting up the Manufacturing Advisory Service, which will create a 'one stop shop' to help businesses sell their products and create new jobs in the future".
In addition to the creation of a powerful website, a key task for INBIS will be the recruitment and development of a national network of up to 500 high quality 'Centres of Expertise in Manufacturing'.
These will be freely accessible via the internet and will offer manufacturers and SMEs a wide range of support services.
An underlying national database will direct companies to the best sources of information and expertise and the National Network will have a membership base drawn from a wide range of organisations.
This will include centres of expertise in manufacturing technologies; skills and training; industry sector bodies and centres of knowledge and research in addition to the new Regional Centres of Manufacturing.
These are to be established by a partnership between the DTI and the Regional Development Agencies in England and Wales and to be operated in co-operation with the Small Business Service's existing network of Business Links.
The contract was won in the face of stiff competition and Roy Barton at INBIS said: "We believe the Manufacturing Advisory Service to be an important initiative for UK companies and are delighted to be working with the DTI to develop a network and service meeting the needs of manufacturers".
INBIS is one of the largest providers of independent design and engineering services in Europe, specialising in engineering management consultancy, integrated engineering and technical resourcing.
It employs some 800 people in offices throughout the UK and Europe.
The DTI and INBIS are keen to attract as wide a range of expertise as possible and organisations interested in offering manufacturers support and advice can register their interest at the DTI's site at http://www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing or by email to mas@inbis.com The DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service, officially announced as an initiative in the "Opportunity for All in a World of Change" White Paper in February 2001, and included in the Government's manifesto, is a key element in the Government's strategy to improve the capabilities, productivity and competitiveness of UK manufacturers.
The MAS will be particularly focused on smaller companies, although all manufacturers will be able to access the future national network.
The MAS will provide specialist manufacturing advice and consist of two main strands of activity: * Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence (RCMEs) to be established by means of a partnership between DTI and the Regional Development Agencies in England and Wales and to be operated in co-operation with the Small Business Service's existing network of Business Links.
* A National Network of existing Centres of Expertise in Manufacturing (CEMs).
The DTI is to provide total funding of some GBP 15m for the MAS initiative over three years to supplement other RDA regional funds.
The RCMEs will be contracted for by the RDAs and WDA and the first RCME will be established later this year.
They will make available practical and experienced hands-on advice, act as a focal point for the regional delivery of support services to SME manufacturers and be a main node on the national network - accessible to all companies.
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