Welcome

This year has served up a mix of fortunes for the UK’s manufacturing industry. Whilst the picture has been bleak for our high streets and financial institutions and the weak dollar has impacted many, manufacturers are generally bucking the trend with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply recently reporting that confidence in the sector has bounced back. The credit crunch does not seem to have affected our industry and in fact, we are showing a continued resilience in the face of tightening consumer spending.

The rise in raw material, oil and energy costs have been testing for all but rather than being defeated by these things, manufacturers in the region have risen to the challenge. Whilst we can do very little to combat spiralling costs, we can use lean manufacturing techniques to cut down waste and operate more efficiently, thus reducing bills in other ways.

Also, this year, we have begun to see some fallout from the trend to outsource manufacturing to emerging economies in the Far East. With the Mattel crisis in the autumn coupled with a sprinkling of other companies moving their manufacturing bases back to the UK, I am hopeful that 2008 will see more companies realising the business benefits of UK-based manufacturing.

Another boost for UK manufacturing has been the continued interest and passion for reducing carbon footprint. We are in a perfect position to offer customers a clear conscience when it comes to emissions as UK manufacturers clock up a fraction of the carbon miles when compared with their overseas competitors.

All of these trends bode well for the New Year and I am confident that South West manufacturers are in a good place to face the challenges ahead. May I take this opportunity,on behalf of South West MAS, to wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Arthur Richardson

Director

South West MAS

 

Case Study

MAS lights up the way to help manufacturer fulfill expansion plans

Microlights Ltd has been designing and manufacturing high specification retail lighting for more than 22 years, providing solutions to retailers in the UK, Europe and the Middle East to help them make the most of their windows, walls and mid-shop displays.

Microlights’ key selling point is the differentiation of its products and services for retailers and its ability to meet customer rollout programmes under very short lead times, typically assembling in 3-5 days. This is vital given the demanding nature of the retail industry, where retailers regularly change their displays.

This year, Microlights became increasingly aware of pressure as it tried to fulfill orders, obtain correct components and work with its supply chain. With a lean factory floor already underway and showing considerable benefits, it became apparent that the business would gain even more if a lean office was also created.

With ambitious expansion plans to increase turnover by £1.5m by the end of 2008, Microlights contacted the South West MAS for support developing and implementing a business philosophy of lean.

To read more, click here

Spotlight on Ken Argent, factory manager at Mulberry

1. What excites you about your day-to-day work?
When the workforce is happy and content and my team is able to achieve its targets.

2. In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
People sometimes have small problems within production that we solve (against the bigger context of life in general!) Also, seeing people achieve something that they thought they couldn’t.

3. What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Restructuring the factory for the future with lean line manufacturing is exciting.

4. On a day-to-day basis, what do you find frustrating about your work?
Targets that sometimes seem unachievable.

5. What inspired you to work in manufacturing?
I used to work in the leather/sheepskin trade, so it was an obvious career to follow. Also, I get a sense of satisfaction in solving problems

To read more, click here

News

Manufacturers missing out on golden opportunities

The South West MAS is warning manufacturers in the region that they are missing out on potentially lucrative contracts for the London 2012 by failing to register their interest with the Games organisers.

Early next year, a new online resource ‘CompeteFor’ will be launched on the London 2012 Games website which will give companies access to London 2012 Games business opportunities. It will act as a brokerage service between buyers and potential suppliers. CompeteFor will also facilitate access to business support services as well as networking opportunities.

Although the South West is second only to London and the South East in terms of companies registering their interest for London 2012 Games information, the South West MAS believes only a relatively small number of these are manufacturers.

The Government’s manufacturing troubleshooter is calling on manufacturers to register with CompeteFor when it launches to avoid missing out on the reported £21bn of potential new business up for grabs.

To read more, click here

Team South West will be hosting its own regional launch for CompeteFor on January 31, 2008, in Bristol.

Leadership key to brighter manufacturing future

Good leadership will be key to the future success of manufacturing in the region, according to a recent poll of manufacturers by the South West MAS.

Nearly 40 per cent of manufacturers questioned cited leadership qualities, team building and team performance as the biggest areas for improvement.

These findings are backed up by research from chartered psychologists Ros Taylor Group revealing that poor leadership is costing UK businesses in excess of £6billion a year. It found that business leaders across the nation are failing to set clear objectives, motivate staff and inspire those around them when it comes to aiming high, which is ultimately damaging the productivity of their businesses.

In response to this, the South West MAS has accelerated the roll out of its Operational Leadership Programme (OLP) to help build leadership qualities of the South West’s front-line managers.

To read more, click here

To find out more about OLP or book your place, email olp@swmas.org.uk

The next OLP programmes are

• 14th January, Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Cirencester
• 23rd January, The Exchange, Bridgwater, Somerset

Stop press! South West SMEs (5-250 employees) may be eligible for a £500 grant, reducing the cost to £750 +VAT for the 12-week programme

Politician gives renewed support to British manufacturing

Business Secretary John Hutton is calling on UK manufacturers to respond positively to new opportunities created by emerging markets in the green economy, such as renewable energy and other low-carbon technology.

He announced that a renewed manufacturing strategy will look at how the Government can help British industry take advantage of opportunities presented by tackling climate change while ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of developing and manufacturing new green technologies.

Mr Hutton said: “UK manufacturing has a crucial role to play in helping us accelerate to a low carbon economy. There are many new and exciting technologies available for the UK to take advantage of, including on and offshore wind power, LED lighting, fuel-cell powered vehicles, carbon capture and storage, biomass, microgeneration, wave and tidal technology.”

To read more, click here

Finding new ways to gain a competitive edge

UK companies have to compete in a global economy, with customers sourcing products, services and technology on a worldwide basis. In this climate, British companies can no longer expect to compete on quality, cost or delivery alone. They must find new ways to gain a competitive advantage.

Adopting new technology could give you that edge. Another way could be to trade your own technology and expertise.

The role of the South West Innovation Relay Centre (SWIRC) is to bring companies, universities and research institutes together so that they can profit from each others research, technology and expertise.

Established by the European Commission in 1995, it has grown in to a network of nearly 300 offices, operating throughout the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Israel. As part of the Innovation Relay Centre Network we have access to hundreds of technology partnering opportunities through our Technology Watch Service.

Here are two current technology partnering opportunities:

Technology/industrial production process for brazing tungsten carbide pieces on carbon steel components Reference: 07 NO NORF 0HXL
A Norwegian company is looking for an innovative method/production system for brazing tungsten carbide pieces on carbon steel components. The company needs machinery in order to manufacture different types and sizes of the products. The company is searching for a partner that has a technology suitable for this purpose and is able to design and build a production system for the manufacture of the products in an industrial environment.

Search for innovative metal plating technology
Reference: 07 CH RAEP 0J2K
A Swiss company designing and manufacturing electro-technical components is looking for alternative & innovating plating processes. The goal is to find ways to avoid or substitute mechanical preparation processes, like sandblasting, prior to plating. Main combination sought is typically nickel/chrome plating on copper-based alloys. Technical cooperation and manufacturing agreement will be considered.

 

SWMAS is run in partnership with:

 

 

For general business advice contact your local Business Link 0845 600 9006

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For further information on any of the issues or items mentioned above, or on the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service in general, contact us on 0845 608 3838; email info@swmas.co.uk or visit http://www.swmas.co.uk