Member Article

MAS helps SME manufacturers deliver £620m economic boost

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has helped thousands of English manufacturing SMEs generate nearly £620m of extra turnover in the last fifteen months it was revealed today.

More than 9,000 firms have received specialist support from MAS with long-term strategy, securing efficiencies, developing new products and supply chain development since the enhanced national offer was introduced in January 2012.

This assistance is also set to safeguard approximately 20,000 jobs with the potential of creating 7,200 new positions over the next year, as companies take advantage of new opportunities presented by re-shoring, massive investment in automotive and a growing desire to ‘buy British’.

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon outlined the figures during the launch of the organisation’s Annual Report at Marshall Amplification in Milton Keynes yesterday.

The Minister said: “We have a strong manufacturing base here in the UK boosted by businesses like Marshall Amplification. MAS and its team of local expert Advisors are offering a truly valuable service that has already helped thousands of manufacturers generate over £600 million in extra turnover.

“By strengthening our manufacturing base we put ourselves back on track for renewed growth and on a better footing to compete globally.”

In the last fifteen months, MAS has:

• Delivered 12,093 business reviews
• Completed 2,341 in-depth support projects
• Provided 16,867 days of in-depth consultancy
• Delivered a 20 x return on investment (ROI)
• Achieved 98% customer satisfaction
• Established the MAS Barometer as the largest SME manufacturing survey in England.

Lorraine Holmes, Area Director for the Manufacturing Advisory Service, continued:

“We are delighted that the transition to the new service has been so seamless and, importantly, that SME manufacturers are receiving the levels of support they need and deserve.

“Like the companies we serve, we must continue to evolve and this will focus on supporting the delivery of the Government’s Industrial Strategy with early progress already made in aligning activity with the focus of BIS Sector Councils. “

She went on to add: “There is also a clear emphasis on MAS helping to build capacity in supply chains, which can support new inward investment opportunities and market growth.”

Marshall Amplification, the world famous designer and manufacturer of guitar amps, is one of the companies that have been supported by the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

The firm, which employs 164 people at its facility in Milton Keynes, has received assistance with reviewing its lean processes, securing greater efficiencies and in helping develop members of its workforce to adopt best practice manufacturing techniques.

Graham Young, Operations Director, said: “It’s a tough world out there with competition from low cost countries a constant challenge that we have to meet and overcome.

“We do this by making sure we continue to produce high quality amps competitively and, importantly, in ensuring we pro-actively promote the fact they are made in Britain.”

He went on to add: “Our global brand is a massive asset for us, as we currently export to more than 80 countries across the world. The US and Japan have always been big fans and, despite certain difficulties, we can see that consumers in growing economies like China and India want to be seen to buy ‘the best’.”

Marshall Amplification, which is a two-time winner of the Queens Award for Export, is on course to turnover £23m in 2013.

Its product range starts from basic amps to hand wired guitar amplifiers which, as the name suggests, are made and assembled using expert skills that are increasingly rare.

Funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the national Manufacturing Advisory Service was launched in January 2012 with the aim of giving companies consistent access to the best possible resources and support, regardless of where they are based.

The enhanced offer allows an 80-strong team of Advisors – working locally on the ground with companies - to tap into some of the country’s leading sector and technology specialists to address challenges and explore both domestic and international opportunities.

This is supplemented by a dedicated manufacturing helpline and over 300 local events and workshops every year.

For further information, please visit www.mymas.org or follow us at @mas_works.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .