The Chancellor’s Budget saw the announcement of a £750m strategic investment fund, a third of which has been earmarked for ‘green technology’. This is a breath of fresh air at a time when daily headlines are full of doom and gloom about prospects for the manufacturing sector.
 

Funding will undoubtedly help manufacturers take advantage of and embrace innovation and technological advancements within the industry. In turn support businesses, ensuring they emerge from the downturn in a stronger position.

As with many sectors, manufacturers will be taking stock of their businesses, looking at ways to stabilise cash flow as well as optimise their products and services. As such, it is essential that they start considering ways to diversify and take advantage of the green technology funding, looking at ways to supply the low-carbon economy.

It is clear that moving to a low carbon economy will create significant business opportunities. However, the only way businesses can exploit these opportunities is if they are quick to identify them and move swiftly to take advantage of them. As part of our service, we can help manufacturers equip themselves with the credentials needed to compete for low-carbon business in the UK and overseas.

Many of the manufacturers that we work with are already taking significant steps in delivering low carbon strategies across their businesses with significant results. The industrial activism proposed by the government is a tremendous chance for manufacturers to drive forward this new sector and I urge businesses to get in touch for some expert business support on how to engage in the low-carbon arena.

Simon Howes
Business Development Director
Manufacturing Advisory Service South West (MAS-SW)

Your Say

Each month MAS South West hosts a survey on its website. Visit the homepage at www.swmas.co.uk to give your views on our next question:

What do you think is the most important attribute for a leader in a manufacturing environment?

Further News Articles

MAS-SW boosts team

MAS-SW has appointed manufacturing experts Paul Gilbert and Andy Phillips to provide dedicated ‘hands-on’ support in the latest lean techniques to the 9,000 micro manufacturing businesses in the region.

With over 50 years combined experience in the manufacturing sector, the strengthening of the MAS South West team with these appointments comes at a time when making lean improvements to reduce costs is a top priority for businesses.

To read more click here

Sharing will help manufacturers weather the storm

The Manufacturing Advisory Service in the South West (MAS-SW) is advising manufacturers across the UK to work together and share best practice to weather the current economic downturn.

The benefits of this advice were borne out of the region’s top manufacturers attendance of the MAS’ national best practice visit, recently hosted by Renishaw, one of the world’s leading engineering technology companies.

To read more click here

South West scoops innovation awards

The South West Science and Industry Council is delighted to learn that the region has collected an impressive number of awards in the Innovation category of the annual Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

The Queen's Awards are the UK's most prestigious accolades for business-related achievement, recognising and rewarding outstanding achievement by UK companies. They are presented in three separate categories: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development.

Of the 49 Innovation winners nationwide, 8 are based in the South West – almost three times the number that were successful in the same category last year.

To read more click here

2009 Engineer Awards open for entries

The Awards programme that continues to reward excellence in collaboration between universities and industry is now open for entries. Enter the Awards programme now and be a part of this prestigious event.

All technology and engineering universities and their industry partners are welcome to enter now at www.theengineerawards.co.uk

The Awards will be held on Friday 4th December at The Royal Society, London so save the date now!

Free European Technology and Business partnering service

As announced in last month’s e-zine, MAS-SW is working in partnership with the Enterprise Europe Network - South West to provide a quick and easy way for businesses to identify suitable European partners for commercial agreements, technology partnerships and European funded research projects.

The Partner alert service is now available on the MAS-SW website with potentially lucrative business opportunities from hundreds of companies, organisations, universities and research institutions located across Europe. MAS-SW companies can receive email alerts of opportunities in their specific area of expertise.

To access the database please click here

For more information on the services offered by the Enterprise Europe Network please click here

NetRegs

For more information on the latest free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK visit their website

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