Why manufacturers must continue to take advantage of the Government’s help from MAS

With production at its lowest and job losses at their highest for a generation, supporting the manufacturing industry has never been more crucial as it looks to survive and thrive beyond the volatile nature of the current economic climate.

The BERR Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is urging more manufacturers throughout the UK to utilise the service that has made a real difference to thousands of SMEs in the sector since it was established in 2002. 

Roger Parr, National Network Manager for MAS says: “Having learnt from previous recessions the manufacturing sector is more resilient, more productive and leaner than ever before. Although the economic situation is challenging to even the leanest of companies an intervention from MAS can help you make it better.

“Manufacturers are under pressure on several fronts: credit flow, variable energy prices and a weak pound, increasing the cost of imported materials. It’s essential that they find ever-more sophisticated means to remain competitive”.

Parr proposes a ten point plan to ensure manufacturers are in a strong position when the economy rallies:
 

1.       Decide what your company’s key objective is – growth or survival – and tailor your business strategy accordingly.

2.       If you haven’t started the Lean journey, NOW is the time to do it – work out how you can reduce waste from your company so it works to higher profit margins

3.       Work proactively with your supply chain – if bottlenecks are removed and it’s working more efficiently, your company will function better

4.       Reduce energy costs by implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) – this can be anything from switching lights off to purchasing energy efficient machinery and installing energy monitors

5.       Do not neglect R&D – try and identify new opportunities and markets and take advantage of the current economic climate

6.       Keep customer service levels high – retaining your client base is crucial and a lot of manufacturing business is conducted via word-of-mouth, so ensure your business’s reputation is credible

7.       Share best practice – work with local manufacturers and pool knowledge resources as they are probably encountering the same dilemmas as you

8.       Keep employer-employee communications fluid – produce visual management chart and mapping systems so that every member of the team knows where they’re up to

9.       Think very carefully about your options before off-shoring production and consider some of the pitfalls, such as longer lead times and the inability to monitor quality and production levels

10.   Seek external advice – this is where MAS practitioners can help

Parr concludes: “Our practitioners have dyed-in-the-wool manufacturing backgrounds, they understand the sector and bare the scars of experience. This allows them to provide authoritative, pragmatic advice and help implement manufacturing programmes that deliver quantifiable results.

“Our goal is simple: to provide support to the SMEs that fuel this country’s economy. We want manufacturers to survive this downturn so that they are in a strategic position to thrive when the situation improves”.

Delivered by the Regional Development Agencies via Business Link, MAS offers practical help and advice for manufacturers by manufacturers. Funded by government, it is part of BERR’s Solutions for Business programme and aims to stimulate innovation and help increase productivity and competitiveness in the manufacturing SME community.

www.mas.berr.gov.uk / 0845 658 9600