Engineering news
A business support collective has been launched following the government’s decision to end the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
The Manufacturing Hub comprises of Alison Phillips, an expert in lean manufacturing and process improvement who previously provided services for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), Rachel Eade, who worked as the automotive sector lead for MAS, manufacturing training and consultancy firm PP Business Improvement, Start 2 Finish Marketing and Cucumber PR.
The Hub has said it seeks to replace “the void left by the sudden termination” of the MAS which was announced in late 2015, with their combined experience of working with UK industry. They will be able to offer specialised advice in “lean manufacturing, strategy, continuous improvement, sales and marketing and communications”. Advice will also be provided for companies surrounding contracts and knowledge of the various funding opportunities available to companies in the UK.
Eade, who has worked with the automotive sector for more than 20 years, said: “When the government decided to end MAS unexpectedly it left a massive gap for business support that understood what manufacturers needed and how it should be delivered.”
“The Manufacturing Hub will fill the void, providing a single source solution for manufacturers looking to access external expertise to improve production processes, plan for growth, target more sales and raise their profile.
“The organisations and individuals involved understand what makes the sector tick, stripping back the support jargon and getting to grips with the challenges and opportunities affecting your business.”
Companies accessing the Manufacturing Hub can use one, two or all five members to help their business, with one point of contact managing all of the delivery.
Between them, the collective said they have helped more than 700 firms over the last five years, safeguarding and creating in excess of 25,000 jobs in the process.
David Fox, director of PP Business Improvement, said: “External support is crucial to the development of the UK manufacturing base and can often unpick a long-term issue or open up new opportunities.
“The government subsidies may have stopped, but that doesn’t mean industry shouldn’t have access to expertise that is geared to their sector.”
For more details, visit www.mfg-hub.co.uk or follow @mfghub on twitter.