The South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), an organisation that has become crucial to the success of hundreds of manufacturers in the region, is celebrating its fifth anniversary and the news that it has helped manufacturers create £35m of increased value for their businesses.

Created by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) and funded by South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA), the South West MAS is one of ten regional Manufacturing Advisory Services with a brief to help manufacturing businesses improve their productivity and competitiveness.

During its five years of operation, the South West MAS specialists that have years of hands-on experience in the industry, have visited more than 780 manufacturers in the region to help them devise strategies for growth, improve their efficiency and develop their teams.

Arthur Richardson, director of South West MAS, said: “We were set up to address the practical needs of manufacturers in the South West and have made it our aim to develop programmes and support that make a real difference, not just to manufacturers’ bottom line but also their future security and success. Manufacturing is continuously evolving and so we have sought to ensure our service does the same in order to have the greatest impact.

“When we began working with manufacturers five years ago, the level of understanding of lean manufacturing techniques was minimal in some quarters.  This knowledge has now advanced across the board and, although we will continue to work in supporting manufacturing operations to embrace lean thinking, our focus now needs to be in helping companies develop workable and profitable strategies for growth.  This will be backed up with additional programmes that aim to boost the leadership and operational skills of frontline managers and help companies achieve sustainable results on the shop floor.

“We are pleased that the many projects we have delivered across the region are bearing fruit and making a tangible difference to manufacturers and the economy as a whole.”

In particular, the South West MAS has led the way nationally with its Strategic Management Programme (SMP), an initiative funded by South West RDA and designed to help ambitious SME manufacturers turn growth aspirations into reality. The South West MAS specialists work directly with a company’s senior management team to devise practical growth strategies and also to lend expert advice in action planning and implementation.

Since 2004, the SMP has exceeded all targets with more than 60 companies participating in the programme. As a result of the SMP, 750 jobs have been saved or created in the region and nearly £5m has been invested by companies in new products and processes.

In addition, the South West MAS has also recently received additional funding from the South West RDA to work alongside aerospace and defence suppliers in the South West and assist them in improving their performance and relationships throughout the supply chain.

Central to South West MAS’ success is the dedicated team that works across the region, linking with business links and other partners to ensure manufacturing companies get tailored and the most appropriate business support.

Margaret Hodge, who was Minister for Industry and the Regions before the recent government shuffle, commented: “We do all we can to encourage and support high value manufacturing. One way we can do this is by maintaining a stable economy. But we also need to provide help and advice tailored to individual firms, and this is where MAS fits in.

“The latest results show that progress has been sustained in the fifth year of a very successful service, and there is no doubt that MAS has a valuable role to play in the future.”

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