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News Release from: Manufacturing Advisory Service (DTI)
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 May 2003
MAS scheme adding GBP 85,000/year value
to users
The UK Government's Manufacturing Advisory Service is delivering an average added value of GBP 85,000 a year to manufacturers taking advantage of this service offered through 10 UK Regional Centres.
New figures recently released show that the Government's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is delivering an average added value of GBP 85,000 a year to manufacturers taking advantage of this new service The service was set up to provide practical advice through 10 Regional Centres throughout England and Wales to help manufacturing companies improve their productivity and competitiveness
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 May 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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A first report shows how the MAS has performed in the first nine months since its launch last year.
Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt launched the report at Oxford Engineering, a company which has the highest added value so far from MAS services - GBP 577,000 a year.
The report shows that after 9 months operation more than 200 companies have already received for the in-depth consultancy.
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Figures in so far show that those companies have had average: added value of GBP 85,000 a year.
improvement in stock turnover of 90%.
workforce productivity improvement of 30%.
scrap or wastage reduction of 37%.
The report also shows that MAS Regional Centres have: responded to over 8500 enquiries to regional centres.
completed over 1000 free 'health checks' for manufacturing companies; and set up training events attended by 5500 manufacturing companies.
Patricia Hewitt said: "This latest report shows that the Manufacturing Advisory Service has been a huge success.
I urge manufacturers to take advantage of this service which is clearly delivering huge rewards for those who have already engaged with it.
"The MAS is helping to modernise UK manufacturing by showing companies how to maximise knowledge and apply best practice." Referring to the 10 centres of the Manufacturing Advisory Service, Patricia Hewitt said: "The key to the centres' success is that their advice is practical, hands on and delivered by advisers with long experience of manufacturing." David Seall, Chief Executive of the Engineering Employers Federation South said: "The work of the MAS is proving its value many times over with companies eager to improve their competitive position - if we can build a culture where such activity is the norm, then we will be well on the way to creating a sustainable future for manufacturing." Paul Hine, Operations Director at Oxford Engineering, said: "Whilst one individual can make a difference it takes a team to change the culture.
Not only did MAS help create that team they are an extension of it.
Through the team there has been significant change." Notes to editors The Government is investing GBP 15 million of DTI funds, match funded by Regional Development Agencies, into the MAS.
It operates through three main components: Ten centres of Manufacturing Excellence which provide hands on advice to small and medium enterprises.
A National Network of Centres of Expertise in different industrial sectors which companies can turn to for advice.
The network consists of accredited bodies such as trade associations, university departments and research councils.
A dedicated website for manufacturers providing access to all parts of the MAS with access to other complimentary sources of information and advice.
(www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing/mas.htm) The report covers the period from the launch of the first Regional Centre on 5 April 5, 2002 until the end of December 2002.
A copy of the report can be found on www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing/mas/index.htm.
The DTI website for manufacturing with further explanatory details is at www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing the report is available from DTI Publications Unit by calling 0870-1502- 500 or by ordering online at www.dti.gov.uk/publications by quoting URN/03/360.
* Background: Oxford Engineering is a private precision engineering company based in Abingdon, four miles outside Oxford.
It supplies some of the most demanding sections of industry using precision turning and milling.
It supplies to instrumentation, medical, aerospace, laser, power generation and optics industries.
Number of employees is 87.
* Action: The large machining area was piloted for the application of 55 principles to lay the foundation for a programme of continuous improvement.
* Result: Added value of GBP 577,000 a year.
Increased productivity of 11.5 %.
Reduction in space utilised of 11.1 %.
Reduced travel distance through the manufacturing process by 75 %.
* Paul Hine, Operation Director, said: "Whilst one individual can make a difference it takes a team to change the culture, not only did MAS help create that Team they are an extension of it.
Through the team there has been significant change.".
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