|
|
 |
The summer skies seem to be coming out in sympathy with the economic outlook – grey, gloomy and downright miserable. But is it as bad as we’re told, or are we talking ourselves into a recession?
|
You can’t open a paper or turn on the radio without an economist, accountant or management consultant offering predictions on what the downturn will mean for businesses. Whilst things are likely to get tighter, particularly with key economic indicators such as house prices and retail sales falling, there is light at the end of the tunnel for South West manufacturers and maybe it’s not so dark in the first place.
In the last six years, we have seen the beginnings of a transformation in manufacturing in the South West with many businesses making fundamental changes to their economic viability by becoming leaner and more agile in their marketplace. As an indicator, we can look at the results of 69 businesses that have taken part in the MAS' Strategic Management Programme. In a three year period, the group of 69 companies saw a growth in sales of 14 per cent and a corresponding leap in profits of 71 per cent.
But, what else can we do? As a starter, a sharp fall in the pound is improving the competition of Britain’s exports. In the first quarter of 2008, exports were up 10 per cent on the same period last year. With export markets opening up, there are great opportunities to look for other sources of revenue overseas. |
|
In looking to tendering, the 2012 London Games are a golden opportunity. To date, 70 per cent of the 2012 London Games contracts on offer from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have been won by small businesses. In total, there are around £2billion worth of supply contracts across the South West. In addition, the MoD, NHS and local councils also have numerous opportunities with contracts ranging from £10k to £1 million for those companies that register and can deliver winning tendering strategies.
Any change, it seems, presents opportunities as well as challenges. We do need to address ways to make our businesses leaner, more productive and resource efficient but we also need to take stock of new business strategies and re-plan growth into untapped markets.
We’re here to help. Whether it’s our ‘Tendering to Win’ events or identifying and planning avenues for growth through our Strategic Management Programme, our aim is to help manufacturers in the South West not just to survive but the thrive in the months ahead.
Simon Howes
Business Development Director
South West MAS |
|
|
 |
 |
MAS helps Dartmoor Kitchen serve up a bigger slice of pie
|
|
Based in Clyst St Mary, Devon, and with a turnover of £450,000, Dartmoor Kitchen is spearheaded by owner and head chef, Tom Cull. The food manufacturer wanted to increase pie production from 300 to 3,000 per week, making its new manufacturing facility more efficient. To support this, Dartmoor Kitchen needed to increase the size of its workforce, and to attract new customers through the launch of its regional ‘gourmet food takeaways’ as production outlets.
With an eye firmly on these objectives, Dartmoor Kitchen sought the expertise of the MAS to help source and install the right equipment to meet the ten fold increase of output for gourmet pies.
To read more, click here
|
|
 |
Spotlight on James Teague, The Empty Box Company
James Teague is managing director of The Empty Box Company, a wedding dress box manufacturer based in Tavistock, Devon
|
|
What excites you about your day-to-day work?
We started the business with a £1,000 overdraft, which was extremely hard to secure, and developed a product that was difficult to market and had some very tough first few years. After 20 years, I still get a buzz from what we have achieved and that I have the ability to improve and grow our business and that the bank manager now pays for lunch!
In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
Having a laugh with my staff and talking to delighted customers.
What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
We have set up an additional manufacturing facility in West Devon. We had to rebuild an agricultural barn, which now looks like a barn on the outside and a modern workshop inside. I have relocated here with my family and am ‘managing’ our main site from 200 miles away. The whole process has been extremely stressful and expensive. However, the outcome has been a great step forward for the business as we have more than doubled our capacity. It has also enabled the team of 12 staff at the site in Surrey to take on more responsibility and I am delighted that all of them have risen to the challenge. I have learned a great deal about my management weakness as a result of them achieving so much without me - and not one of them has left!
To read more, 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 7,000 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
|
|
 |
 |
Manufacturers getting in the festival spirit
Despite rising energy, raw material costs and a downturn in the global economy, events such as Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Reading and V Festival are providing the region’s manufacturers with a much needed wave of new business, according to the MAS.
|
|
The mud and rain of the traditional music or sporting extravaganza will not stop manufacturers of food stands, staging, generators, tents, showers, to name but a few, profiting from the 400 festivals which will be attended by more than a million people over Summer 2008. The recent Glastonbury festival boosted the South West’s economy to the tune of around £50m but as well as the big names, many small events have sprung up in recent years providing further opportunities for niche manufacturers.
To read more, click here |
|
|
|
 |
Tendering to Win |
There are huge opportunities for SMEs to bid for a share of £400 million worth of supply contracts in and around the Bristol area and a total of £2 billion across the South West. As well as the MoD, NHS and local councils, small businesses can also benefit from the 2012 London Games.
To date, 70 per cent of the 2012 London Games contracts on offer from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have been won by small businesses. And nearly 90 per cent of the 18,000 businesses registered on the London 2012 'CompeteFor' database, which helps to match up businesses with opportunities, are small firms, according to the ODA.
With this in mind, the MAS has teamed up with Business Link and Team South West to deliver a series of ‘Tendering to Win’ workshops which will provide a masterclass on successful tendering and give manufacturers hands-on exposure to different types of tenders, both small and large.
To read more, click here
Upcoming workshops will take place as follows:
Wednesday 13th August 2008, 9.15am – 4.30pm, Somerset, Clerk’s Rooms, Taunton.
Click here to book.
Thursday 11th September 2008, 9.15am – 4.30pm, Darts Farms, Clyst St George, Exeter.
Click here to book.
Thursday 23rd October 2008, 9.15am – 4.30pm, Bristol City Football Club, Ashton Gate, Bristol.
Click here to book.
|
|
|
|
 |
Act now and get free access to public sector contract opportunities online
|
|
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has announced that small businesses can get access to the public sector contracting website Supply2Gov for free, for a limited period of time.
Businesses registering between 1 May and 31 July 2008 can access public sector contract opportunities valued under £100,000 through the whole of the UK. The free trial is part of measures outlined in this year's Budget which aim to increase the amount of public sector business won by small firms.
Once the free trial period has ended, registered businesses will revert to the free local area access service unless they choose to keep the UK-wide service for a fee. To find out more, www.supply2.gov.uk
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| You can now book your place at South West MAS events online. Simply visit the South West MAS website, provide your details and you will receive confirmation of your booking, be able to pay online and download maps and directions. You can also see what events you’ve attended in the past. |
|
  |
|
>Dorset SC21 Cluster Group
Dorset manufacturers that supply to aerospace and defence companies are invited to find out more about becoming a member of the new Dorset SC21 Cluster Group.
Organised by MAS and WEAF, attendees will be informed of the commitment involved in the programme, as well as hearing from CADI (Cornwall Aerospace & Defence Initiative) representatives who will be passing on experience of how their cluster group has helped them.
For further information and booking click here. |
 |
Tuesday 5th August 2008 - Kingston Maurward, Dorchester |
 |
10am – 2pm |
 |
Manufacturers |
| |
 |
|
|
|
>Tendering to Win
This Tendering to Win Workshop will give manufacturers hands-on exposure to different types of tenders, both small and large.
You will be able to identify opportunities for business growth and get answers to your key questions about tendering opportunities.
For further information and booking click here. |
|
Wednesday 13th August 2008 - Somerset, Clerk’s Rooms, Taunton |
|
9.15am – 4.30pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
£70 plus VAT |
|
|
|
>Introduction to Lean – Gloucestershire
This half day workshop will introduce attendees to practical, down-to-earth ways to implement lean techniques. You will be able to identify and implement improvements through practical demonstrations of lean manufacturing tools and identification of the seven types of waste found in manufacturing, e.g. over-production and excess inventory. The workshop also looks at shop floor layout and how to apply the concepts within your own business
For further information and booking click here. |
|
Wednesday 20th August 2008 - Cirencester, Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Gloucestershire |
|
9am – 12.30pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
£25 plus VAT, Morning Workshop |
|
|
|
>Achieving Quick Changeovers – Gloucestershire
This workshop will offer valuable support to South West manufacturing businesses that need to sharpen their existing manufacturing and production processes and deliver good products consistently on time.
Focusing on the Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) technique, this is one of the many lean production methods for reducing waste in a manufacturing process. The workshop looks at the importance of performing faster changeovers in manufacturing, or any process, in making low-cost flexible operations possible and are key to reducing production lot sizes and thereby improving flow.
For further information and booking click here. |
|
Wednesday 20th August 2008 - Cirencester, Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Gloucestershire |
|
1.30 – 5pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
£25 plus VAT, Afternoon Workshop |
|
 |
|
>Tendering to Win - £400m up for grabs in Bristol area alone
With huge opportunities for SMEs to bid for a share of £400m supply contracts in the wider Bristol area and £2 billion a year available in the South West through the tender process, this workshop will give manufacturers hands-on exposure to different types of tenders, both small and large.
You will be able to identify opportunities for business growth and get answers to your key questions about tendering opportunities.
For further information and booking click here. |
|
Thursday 23rd October 2008 - Bristol City Football Club, Ashton Gate, Bristol |
|
9.15am – 4.30pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
£70 plus VAT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
MAS sparks young imaginations at Royal Bath & West Show
The MAS’ stand at Imagineering saw hundreds of young people taking part in the new Pendulum Challenge and discovering first hand the fun of practical problem-solving. Designed to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and innovators, the activity on the stand was described as ‘deceptively simple’ by the organisers.
|
|
Imagineering, one of the major attractions at the Royal Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet, is organised by the Imagineering Foundation, an education charity set up to introduce 8-16 year olds to the world of engineering and encourage them to get involved.
To read for more, click here
|
|
 |
Local support for Dorset manufacturers supplying aerospace and defence
The MAS, in conjunction with West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) and Ultra Electronics, is holding an event at Kingston Maurward on the 5 August for companies to learn more about becoming a member of the new Dorset SC21 (Supply Chains for the 21st Century) Cluster Group. Attendees will learn how they can become involved and what local help and support is available when committing to the SC21 programme.
|
|
SC21 is a nationwide initiative designed at helping manufacturers who supply to aerospace and defence industry to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for innovation, and to ensure the industry is delivering competitive solutions for customers, whilst maintaining profitable business growth.
Also at the event, representatives from CADI (Cornwall Aerospace & Defence Initiative) will be passing on experience of how their cluster group has helped them.
To read more, click here
|
|
 |
Algram crowned manufacturing masters at Devon championships!
The MAS has held a tournament challenging manufacturers in Devon to put their business acumen to the test and compete against one another for the title of South West MAS Devon Manufacturing Champion.
|
| The Plymouth Challenge pitted seven teams from local manufacturers against each other in a series of thought-provoking challenges, each lasting 30 minutes. Algram, a manufacturer and assembler of plastic components, was crowned winner and will go head-to-head with the winners from other counties later this year.
To read more, click here |
|
|
|
|
MAS teams up with experts to offer new strategic leadership programme
Leadership South West and MAS are launching a leadership programme targeted at senior directors from manufacturing, aerospace, defence and high technology sectors who wish to develop their strategic leadership skills.
The programme which will consist of six one day workshops spread over a six month period will draw on contemporary ideas of leadership. There will be modules on leadership, strategic thinking, action enquiry and learning, managing change and transition and strategic business narrative.
The philosophy of the programme is that delegates learn from their peers and others facing similar issues in business. Participants can expect to receive a high level of interaction with other experienced managers, to work on solving ‘real time’ business issues and to benefit from up to three hours self-directed learning between workshops.
The programme will run in Exeter from October and along the M5 Exeter/Bristol corridor from January.
The cost for the programme is £1975.00. For further details on course dates or to obtain an application form email lsw@exeter.ac.uk or call Jim Hanbury, director of Leadership South West on 01392 269233
|
|
|
The new Enterprise Europe Network in the South West – manufacturer wanted to partner UK company
The Innovation Relay Centre has merged into the Enterprise Europe Network - a new pan-European network established by the European Commission. Drawing on the combined experience of the South West RDA, UK Trade & Investment, and GWE Business West and part funded by the European Commission, the network will help local companies and partners get to grips with the opportunities and challenges of the Single Market by connecting them to their EU counterparts.
A team of business advisors can visit your business, diagnose customer needs and create Action Plans which will provide the platform for EU-based opportunities and partnerships. Working with companies of all sizes the team will help them develop and implement European strategies, tailoring other available support to deliver the clients business objectives.
Already companies are contacting the network in search of new partnerships. For example, a UK-based company has successfully manufactured a product to help relieve the distress and discomfort of pain. It is now seeking to move manufacture of this product from China to the UK and is looking for a partner with experience and know-how in the field of micro-current impregnated membranes. If you think this is an opportunity for you email info@swmas.co.uk
For more information on the Enterprise Europe Network in the South West, email Kenny Legg Kenny.Legg@enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk
|
|
|
Wrigley’s placement student off to national final!
Tanya Edwards from The Wrigley Confectionery Company in Plymouth has beaten over a hundred contenders to win the South West’s Year in Industry Contribution to Business Award. She will now compete in September for the national awards against 10 other high-fliers from across the UK.
Image: Calum Williams receiving the Bandvulc Environmental Award.
|
|
Tanya introduced a controlled calibration system into a new department at Wrigley’s, improving the effectiveness and efficiency, reducing over usage and wasted product costs, ensuring compliance to international standards and achieving an annual saving of more than £600,000. The system is now being considered as global best practice by the company.
To read more, click here.
|
|
|
| |
 |
   |
| |
South West Manufacturing Advisory Service - the trusted provider of advice and hands-on support for manufacturers aiming to achieve sustainable success
South West MAS is run in partnership with:
|
     |
|
©2008 South West Manufacturing Advisory Service www.swmas.co.uk. All rights reserved.
Chargrove House | Main Road, Shurdington Cheltenham Glos GL51 4GA | United Kingdom | Telephone +44 (0) 1242 864129 | Email info@swmas.co.uk
Privacy policy | Unsubscribe
You are receiving this email because you have registered with the South West MAS to receive our mailings. If you no longer wish to receive emails from the South West MAS please unsubscribe. This email address is not monitored – please direct all enquiries to info@swmas.co.uk.
|
|
|
|
