New National Manufacturing Advisory Service
The new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), previously operating on a regional basis across England, has become a national service focusing on helping the country's small and medium-sized manufacturers to grow.
MAS provides companies with practical support on all aspects of manufacturing and offers direct access to manufacturing experts with a proven track record. Subsidised consultancy assistance is offered where it is needed.
The new service will be delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC). It will help to boost the economy by an estimated £1.5 billion, create 23,000 jobs and safeguard 50,000 existing jobs. It will continue to deliver a national service to all manufacturing businesses in England but the new consortium now means that there will be a specific focus on:
driving business growth through strategic and technical support for SMEs developing advanced manufacturing capabilities and creating high value jobs; enabling business improvement with manufacturers operating in global supply chains; and
linking SMEs with the apprenticeship programme delivering a minimum of 1,250 engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships annually.
Previously delivered through the Regional Development Agencies the new service is expected to deliver four times' the current return on investment. The new MAS offer will comprise:
Level 1 (Enquiries)
Provided by a small team of experienced advisors geographically dispersed around England ensuring detailed local knowledge supported by an enhanced website offering a range of online support packages.
Level 2 (Manufacturing Review)
One day (two days for more complex businesses) of on-site specialist manufacturing diagnostic review. MAC will use a new diagnostic tool which includes comparisons against best-in-class. In addition, a "Fast Track" over the phone Level 2 will be introduced for common, well understood issues.
Level 3 (Events)
Training and networking events, including best practice visits. This will be complemented by a Sustainable Improvement Community using best practice social networking tools to provide peer-led best practice examples and lower cost forms of self help.
Level 4 (Consultancy)
Introduction of a three tier Level 4 project structure:
MAS Foundation Service: Funding up to £1,000 (or a maximum of 50%) towards an improvement project - targeted at companies that need basic low level help.
MAS Step Change Service: Funding of up to £3,000 (or 50% maximum) towards a more significant improvement programme.
MAS Transformation Service: Funding of up to £10,000 (or 50% maximum) for a strategic change to the business.
Level 5 (Referrals)
MAS advisors are responsible for identifying partner organisation support but retain responsibility for referral until it is demonstrated and confirmed by the client that the partner organisation has addressed the client need.
Supply Chain
Focus on helping SMEs diversify into advanced manufacturing supply chains; helping original equipment manufacturers and their supply chains develop better relationships and greater efficiency; helping groups of SMEs in supply chains or clusters interact more effectively. It will use the tools available through Levels 1 - 5 with custom implementation packages assembled to suit client needs delivered by a team of dedicated supply chain experts.
Businesses interested in finding out more about the programme should visit http://www.mymas.org/ or call an advisor on 0845 658 9600.
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