Member Article

Event looks to ‘inspire’ West Midlands manufacturers to grow through innovation

A new initiative designed to help manufacturers secure more sales is being unveiled at a special event in the West Midlands.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) will be introducing the ‘Inspire’ programme to manufacturers at a workshop in West Bromwich on October 3rd.

Companies will be given an initial insight into the support they can tap into, which includes specialist assistance with understanding innovation, overcoming business hurdles, identifying market opportunities and validating new concepts.

They can then embark on the part-funded MAS ‘Inspire’ initiative that will give firms access to an Innovation consultant for two days.

MAS’ Roy Pulley picked up the story: “There is a misconception that innovation is used only by large enterprises and multinational corporations and that’s simply not right.

“Innovative SMEs are more competitive and able to grow and we are keen to make sure even more firms are in a position to improve processes, change the way they manage their supply chains and, importantly, develop and launch new products.

“50 companies in the region have already transformed new concepts into reality and these range from an electric powered three wheel vehicle to new BBQ technology that is going global.”

‘Inspire’ will provide companies with a dedicated consultant, who will work with firms to complete an innovation review before helping them select one of three dedicated workshops to equip them with new skills.

They will then produce a growth plan that looks at critical actions and timeframes, potential funding routes and opportunities for further support.

Roy continued: “The three workshops are all focused on using innovation to make manufacturers more profitable and each one offers something a little different.

“Depending on the outcome of the initial review, management teams can choose from ‘Squeezing the lemon’ (getting more profits out of existing customers), ‘Growing new markets’ and ‘Breaking the mould’, which is all about new products and services.”

MAS, which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), works for manufacturers and through experienced advisors can help shape strategy, create new products, reduce waste and review supply chains.

Attendance at the ‘Introduction to Inspire’ event in West Bromwich can be booked by visiting www.mymas.org/events.

For more information on MAS, please visit www.mymas.org or follow @mas_works.

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