South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS)

South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS) is one of ten regional Manufacturing Advisory Services created with a brief to help manufacturing businesses improve their productivity and competitiveness.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is delivered in the South West by a consortium made up of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), Engineering Employers Federation(Western), the region's Business Links and us, representing the Higher Education Institutions.

SWMAS was created primarily to serve the 12,000 manufacturing businesses operating in the South West. Together these businesses generate £11 billion for the local economy and employ nearly 300,000 people. During its five years of operation, SWMAS specialists have visited 780 manufacturers. More than 3,500 days of reviews, best practice modules and workshops have been delivered which have resulted in cost savings of circa £22 million across 350 businesses. In addition, SWMAS has organised 300 events, attracting a total of 6000 attendees, to create an awareness of the benefits of adopting lean manufacturing and provide an opportunity to learn about the tools and techniques.

“SWMAS is a trusted source of practical help and advice which enabled us to solve many of our manufacturing issues."  Client quote