For Bristol-based manufacturer, Chevler Packaging, a timely visit from a MAS South West specialist has helped them identify operating efficiency savings to the tune of over £200k.

Founded in the 1920’s, the company specialises in thermo-formed food packaging and bespoke encapsulates for dusting, sprinkling and other applications in food production. Chevler wanted to improve their overall operational efficiency to increase standards, reduce material wastage and make important cost savings.

Having contacted MAS to find out how they could do this, the decision was taken to create a new and effective monitoring tool, the most appropriate system being OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

To read this article in full, please click here.

Janis Sinton is managing director of TasteTech, pioneers of microencapsulation technology with a specialisation in encapsulated food ingredients and natural flavourings

What excites you about your day-to-day work?
Every day is challenging, stimulating and different. We are a small, niche company with a huge potential market. With a wide variety of products and processes we never know what new challenge is going to arrive with the next phonecall, email or fax.

In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
Receiving an order from a new customer, or for a new product from an existing customer, always puts a smile on my face! Also, the everyday banter that goes on in our sales office - I like seeing TasteTech employees enjoying their work.

To read this article in full, please click here

Would you like to appear in next month’s e-Newsletter in the Spotlight section? We are looking for manufacturers who are willing to answer eight simple questions about their day-to-day role. More than 10,000 people worldwide read the monthly
e-Newsletter, so if you would like to share your thoughts on working in manufacturing or tell us more about your role, email the editorial team on info@swmas.co.uk

What does the economic slowdown mean for you? Is it an opportunity or a problem?

MAS has launched a new programme aimed at helping businesses cope with the potential downturn and build manufacturing strategies to maximize on emerging opportunities. The Downturn Readiness Review looks at a business' ability and plans to cope with challenges arising from a tightening of the economy and covers a review of business finances, market landscape, people and processes. It aims to help businesses read situations in terms of risk, exposure and opportunities and through a series of “what-if" projections and scenario planning, develop company action plans.

The Downturn Readiness Review is tailored to South West manufacturing businesses taking part, regardless of sector or size, and is aimed at ensuring they continue to grow in the face of an economic slowdown.

For more information on the Downturn Readiness Review, email info@swmas.co.uk or call 0845 608 3838

For the South West’s manufacturing sector which is currently struggling with the challenges of the credit crunch and fundamental structural changes in the global economy, the UK’s move to a low carbon economy – heralded by the introduction of the Climate Change Act – and environmental management systems are probably off the radar. But for those who make it through current hard times, the market place will be very different requiring far greater resource efficiency and knowledge of product sustainability.

Sir Nicholas Stern described climate change as "the greatest market failure the world has ever seen". The legal framework is now being used as a tool to manipulate the market economy to achieve a more sustainable future. For example:

The challenge is to develop strategic understanding of the sustainability of your business. And the opportunities? Long term survival and growth through more efficient resource use and overhead reduction.

South West businesses battling the economic downturn are being supported with a raft of financial and advisory measures.

The South West RDA will:

- Set up a new Business Loan Fund of up to £10million for a small number of ambitious firms with viable business plans which are unable get support from commercial banks or private investors. Loans of up to £250,000 will be available early next year;

- Double the amount of money available to businesses under the RDA's Grant for Research and Development over three years. Businesses can apply for between £5,000 and £500,000 depending on the type of project. The next round of funding will be released on April 1, 2009 but businesses are strongly recommended to apply now to leave time for their applications to be appraised and for queries to be dealt with. For more information call Business Link on 0845 600 9966.

- Add to the almost £2m spent on the Graduates for Business programme, a scheme which gives companies access to the talents of undergraduates and university leavers. Enhanced funding will enable more graduates to be placed with, in particular, environmental technology and advanced engineering companies.

These are just three of a series of measures outlined in the South West RDA's 'Action for Recovery'. It spells out how the RDA will develop or expand its existing programmes in the face of the global economic downturn, especially the work of Business Link. Business Link acts as a gateway to an array of advice and support for small and medium sized businesses.

To read this article in full, please click here.

PreBudget 2008

HMRC guidance on VAT rate changes from 1 December 2008
In the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report, it was announced that the standard rate of VAT will be reduced to 15% on 1 December 2008. This means that for any sales of standard-rated goods or services that take place on or after 1 December 2008 providers should charge VAT at the new rate of 15%. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has provided guidance on a range of information on this issue which covers straightforward and technical issues for businesses, and also likely questions from consumers.

To find out more visit www.hmrc.gov.uk

With rubbish and recycling bins set to burst at the seams this Christmas under an estimated three million tonnes of waste*, sustainable business experts Envirowise are urging businesses to trim ‘wastelines’ by cutting back on unnecessary packaging and explore eco-design options.

Increasing pressure and the need to reduce operational costs in the current economic climate, Government targets to reduce, recover and recycle waste and growing consumer demand for more sustainable business practices are fuelling the need for industry to explore greener packaging options, according to Envirowise cleaner design specialist Jenni Rosser.

To read this article in full, please click here.

A free technology and business partnering service is now available for companies and research organisations, enabling them to develop their business interests across Europe.

Enterprise Europe Network South West (EEN SW) has launched a quick and easy way for small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs across the South West to identify suitable EU-based partners for commercial agreements, technology partnerships and European research funded projects.

For further information about partnerships opportunities please click here.

European Union funding is an important source of finance for many organisations wishing to develop projects.

This funding guide is a tool to help you to identify and apply for European funding and provides an overview of the main European Funding streams, their main objectives, and how and where to apply.

This funding guide, published by Europe Direct in Cornwall, has been prepared to provide public, private and voluntary sector organizations and individuals with the opportunity to find out more about the wealth of funding made available by the European Union to assist in developing their projects and initiatives.

MAS in the South West has copies to give away for the first 20 emails requesting the guide to info@swmas.co.uk

You must be a manufacturing company and resident in the South West to receive a copy.

Andrew Robinson, environmental co-ordinator at Eastington-based Arc Energy Resources, discusses the importance of environmental awareness as the welding industry continues to grow, and the relative merits of ISO 14001 accreditation.

It’s impossible to pick up a newspaper or switch on the television without hearing about the environment. Businesses boast their green credentials, consumer groups bemoan the destruction of habitats, and scientists argue over the consequences of global warming. However, despite media attention, relatively little effort has been made by the welding industry to try and offset its environmental impact.

To read this feature in full, please click here.

Call for entries to the ‘Oscars’ of the manufacturing industry

The BERR Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is partnering with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for what have been dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the manufacturing industry – the Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2009 (MX 2009).

MX is the only UK awards scheme of its kind that offers an elite panel of industry experts giving free, impartial advice in a benchmarking report that has been valued at up to £20,000. The report will offer a ‘top tips’ service to firms with invaluable advice on how to improve performance, taking size, industry and resources into consideration.

Companies can enter via the MX2009 website: www.mxawards.org
The application deadline is 29th January 2009.

To read more, click here

Duty of care: your waste responsibilities

Did you know that you are responsible for where your business waste finally ends up? Read our updated guidance to find out who is authorised to handle waste from your business and what documents you should ask to see.

For more information please click here.

Batteries recycling

Recycle your batteries
Strict rules on recycling all types of batteries are coming into force, including a complete ban on sending them to landfill. Virtually every business uses batteries, so be prepared with our update on the changing legislation.

For more information please click here.

Rubber and plastic products

See our guidance for rubber and plastic products if your business manufactures finished articles from polymers and elastomers or processes monomers and pre-polymers.

For more information please click here.

Who is allowed to deal with your waste?

Find out how to check that anyone removing waste from your business is properly authorised in our updated guidance on your duty of care for waste.

For more information please click here.

Packaging

Check our updated guidance to find out what you need to do to comply with your packaging waste obligations.

For more information please click here.

Reduce, reuse and recycle your business waste

This environmental topic now includes guidance on reducing, reusing and recycling your business waste.

For more information please click here.