Welcome from Roger Hunter, Business Support Product Manager - South West RDA

Case study - HEL Performance

Spotlight on Rachel Johns, managing director of Extreme Textiles

Events and Workshops

News

£3.5 million boost from Europe set to help South West Manufacturers

Thousands of manufacturers in the South West are expected to benefit with the news that the South West European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is set to invest £3.5 million over the next three years to enable the Manufacturing Advisory Service in the South West (MAS-SW) to continue to help local businesses compete more effectively in the marketplace.

MAS-SW will use the European funding to provide a range of manufacturing services to ensure the region’s small and medium-sized businesses improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through hands-on expert help and guidance.

Arthur Richardson, chief executive of MAS-SW, said: "At a time when there is so much doom and gloom around, this is great news for the region’s manufacturers. There is no disputing that the unprecedented economic situation is proving to be a challenge but MAS-SW can provide tangible help to improve firms’ operations, quality and delivery to make significant and real improvements to cash flow and ultimately, the bottom line."

Nigel Howells, head of competitiveness at the South West RDA, said: "This EU funding will help introduce more manufacturing businesses in the region to MAS-SW’s expert guidance to ensure South West firms are at the forefront of the increasingly competitive global marketplace. It is all about arming local businesses with the skills and ammunition they need to succeed and to ensure that they are ready for the upturn when it happens."

To read more click here

BiS Valves diversify for future development

Following the death of joint M.D., Matthew Smith, and the resulting company restructure, BiS Valves Ltd, which manufactures a range of standard pressure and flow control products for liquid and gas, were keen to diversify and prepare the business for future growth.

To achieve this, Bournemouth-based BiS Valves decided to take on the support of manufacturing trouble-shooters MAS-SW and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), specialists in helping businesses succeed in international markets.

The company which employs 43 staff required assistance at two key levels; the shop floor and the board. "After our restructure we felt the need to take a step back and devise a clear strategy for future development" said David Kelly, managing director of BiS Valves. "We also decided that shop floor efficiency was another area in which we could seek improvement with the help of MAS-SW."

For further information please click here

Engineering student wins Innovation Manufacturing award

University of Plymouth mechanical engineering student Sean Wheeler was last month awarded an MAS-SW award for Innovation within Manufacturing. Sean won the award during a ‘Year in Industry’ placement with Rittal-CSM Ltd, which produces server racks for the IT industry.

Sean reduced the number of defective panels produced by the Rittal paint plant, increasing panel capacity by 100 per cent, whilst reducing both manpower and defects. His work will save the company around £22,500 a year.

Jon Hurrell, Lean Specialist for Devon and Cornwall, and one of the judges of the competition, commented that MAS-SW had been impressed with the way that lean tools and techniques had been used in problem solving for the project.

Sean also received a cheque for £250 from the Plymouth Manufacturer’s Group (PMG) for winning the best manufacturing project.

Engaging staff is key to cutting costs for South West Manufacturers

Businesses in the South West need to make greater use of their staff to help improve environmental performance and unlock valuable cost savings - according to sustainable business experts Envirowise.

Envirowise has launched a free online training tool offering practical advice to help businesses do this. The tool covers a range of topics including how to gain support from employees and work with senior management.

For more information and to access the training tool please click here

Public funding for bright ideas

Companies from across South West England will find out how to access more than £1 billion of support to improve their business at The Innovation Forum event in Bristol next month.

Organised by the South West Science and Industry Council in partnership with Enterprise Europe Network and Science City Bristol, The Innovation Forum will highlight the different ways businesses can access funding to help them turn innovative ideas into commercial successes.

To read more click here

Backing young Britain

The Government has recently launched Backing Young Britain, a new campaign aimed at uniting business and government to create thousands of opportunities for young people.

Ministers announced £40 million to fund over 20,000 additional internships so that graduates and non-graduates can access higher quality work experience. In addition, the funding will allow the creation of a new mentoring network to help young people find their feet in the tough jobs market.

To read more click here

Shop Floor Optimisation

Are you a key player in a manufacturing company? Do you influence innovation, diversification, change and continuous improvement? Manufacturers are now preparing for, and adapting to, a tougher economic climate. It is therefore important to focus on continual improvement, innovation and exploring new opportunities - particularly in being more innovative with products and services.

Join us and be inspired on a visit to SFL's manufacturing facilities.

For further information and booking please click here.

Wednesday 9th September 2009, SFL, Barnstaple, Devon
9.30am - 2pm

COST: £25 + VAT per delegate

Leading the way - Manufacturing Strategic Leadership Programme

Leading The Way is a series of flexible learning programmes specifically designed to meet the individual needs of managers and decision makers. The workshops operate on the principle that we learn from our peers and others who are facing similar issues within business life. This ground breaking, innovative programme will be relevant to individuals and businesses from manufacturing, aerospace, defence and high technology sectors who wish to develop their strategic leadership skills.

The programme consists of six workshops over a period of six months.

For further information and booking please click here.

Programme commences on Wednesday 23rd September 2009, University of Exeter

Ongoing schedule:
21 October 2009
10 November 2009
8 December 2009
12 January 2010
10 February 2010

COST: £1975 per delegate

Understanding Six-Sigma Awareness Day

Are you a leader or senior manager in a manufacturing business? Looking for a way to achieve continuous sustainable improvement?

The practice of Six-Sigma enables the measuring and removing of variation and waste from within functions and processes. This powerful process methodology operates within the structure of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC). The methodology is project focused and delivers bottom line results fast.

The Six-Sigma Awareness Day will show leaders and senior managers within businesses how to successfully implement Six-Sigma and utilise it as an essential tool towards sustainable improvement

For more information or to book please click here.

Wednesday, 23rd September 2009, 9am - 4pm Bristol / Glos (Falfield)

COST: £100 + VAT per delegate

Operational Leadership Programme - Celebratory Event

Manufacturing leaders and managers are invited to attend this celebratory event which is the culmination of a fast paced, fun, down to earth programme for line managers eager to get more from their people and shop floor processes. Current participants will present the results of their in-company manufacturing improvement project, enabling you to see the benefits that the programme has to offer. Run over approximately 6 months, the programme helps line managers to improve management and manufacturing skills to add value to their business. The next programme commences on 20th January 2010 in Bristol, in partnership with the University of Exeter Business School, Leadership South West.

For more information or to book please click here.

Thursday 1st October 2009, 9am-1pm plus lunch, Bristol/Gloucester Tortworth Hotel, Falfield

COST: £25 + VAT per delegate

Supply Chain Futures

The University of Exeter is hosting a complimentary networking event exploring the current view of Supply Chain Management and the future impact of Additive Layer Manufacturing.

The programme for the evening includes an introduction by Professor Richard Lamming and a guided tour of Exeter Advance Technology.

For more information please click here.

Thursday 3rd September 2009, 5.30pm - 7.55pm including buffet, University of Exeter Innovation Centre

COST: Free

Innovation in Manufacturing

Innovation is becoming ever more present at the heart of a manufacturing firm's business strategy.

With this in mind, the University of Plymouth invite you to join them for the Innovation in Manufacturing networking conference.

The programme includes optional site tours of the innovation facilities and an 'Innovate to survive' presentation with Dr Richard McIntosh MAS-SW.

For more information please click here.

Thursday 10th September 2009, 10.30am - 4pm, Rolle Building, University of Plymouth

COST: Free to Plymouth travel-to-work area manufacturers

All our futures - investing in our future by design

The sustainability agenda has shifted from a specialist issue to become a fundamental part of business enterprise.

As we approach economic recovery, sustainable practices need to be firmly in place - with design leading the way.

This conference is the key design event for business in the South West in 2009, bringing together world-class designers and business leaders, working to find practical solutions in a time of deep economic uncertainty.

Thursday 15th September 2009, Sherwell Centre, University of Plymouth

For more information please click here.