News & Information

Manufacturing companies across the South West are set to benefit from a new 'troubleshooting' network aimed at giving high quality advice and support across the whole sector. 
 
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in the South West will be set up with £2.7 million funding coming from the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA), the Department for Trade and Industry (DTi) and other partners. 
 
Its aim is to ensure relevant and affordable advice is easily available across the whole spectrum of manufacturing - from research and development through to processes and practices. 
 
The central focus of the service will be a Regional Centre of Manufacturing Excellence with real and virtual links to Centres of Expertise across the region. These will be co-ordinated by the RCME, which will also be responsible for the link to the national network - ensuring that the widest possible range of expertise is available to manufacturers, wherever they are based in the UK. 
 
There are many ways that the MAS will provide much needed support for South West manufacturers:  
The Human Factor - A team of advisers will be based across the region, drawn from a manufacturing background. Advisers will 'speak the language' of their customers, understand the challenges they face and provide solutions based on need.  
Pulling it Together - A central customer support team based in Shurdington will manage the enquiry flow - with multi-access points to ensure that businesses find the service easy to use. By focusing on manufacturing issues, they will ensure a responsive service providing the best help and guidance.  
Multi-Channel Access - By combining traditional methods of support with the virtual channels now available through new technologies, businesses will be able to access the right advice from the right expert - whether they are based 2 or 200 miles away. The close links being forged with the national network by RCMEs will ensure location will not be a barrier.  
Affordable Advice - The service will provide a core suite of services at little or no cost to the service user. Where more in-depth help is needed businesses will be required to make a contribution towards the cost of advice.  
'The South West RDA is determined to play a significant role in supporting a competitive, innovative and productive manufacturing sector in the South West,' said Steve Richards, Business Development Manager for the South West RDA. 'We know it is a critical core for a successful regional economy, and are confident this new service will make a real difference. 
 
'Through the creation of this focused support service it is intended to provide manufacturers with the tools they need to survive and grow - creating wealth that will benefit all the stakeholders - employers, employees and the region's economy.' 
 
The hub of the Regional Centre of Manufacturing Excellence for the South West will be based at Chargrove House, Shurdington, Gloucestershire, with real and virtual access points throughout the region. 
 
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, said: "More than 15,000 small and medium sized firms in the South West will be able to benefit from the top-notch Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) that will be on hand at the new South West Centre for Manufacturing Excellence. 
 
'I very much hope that the practical hands-on advice and support that the Centre will offer will help local manufacturing firms in the South West become major-league success stories." 
 
The MAS will also be providing information for manufacturers on the internet, through a MAS website, to be developed by Spring 2002, which will be linked to the Centre. A start to this web-based provision of information to manufacturers has been made already in http://www.businesslink.org. Further information on the MAS and how it is developing is obtainable from DTI's site http://www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing" 
 
Notes to News Editors: 
 
Issued by James Harper, South West RDA. 
Contact: james.harper@southwestrda.org.uk, tel: 01392 229547 
 
For further information please contact herda-sw

Contact
James Harper
T: 01392 229547
E: herda-sw@southwestrda.org.uk