Corporate Social Responsibility, Resource Efficiency and the Environment - Making a Difference…..

To industry

We are passionate about helping manufacturers improve productivity, cut costs, reduce waste and in general use resources more effectively. Lean manufacturing tools and techniques are key for businesses seeking to achieve efficiencies and operate in a more sustainable way. For example, the adoption of Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM) could significantly extend the life span of machinery and equipment and help save precious resources.

The South West MAS aims to support the long-term future of the sector by helping to train a new generation of manufacturers. Rather than MAS specialists providing a service over a few days (according to client requirements), our philosophy is to actively encourage improvements that will enable sustainable and positive changes to both mindsets and processes. .

The Foundation Degree in Lean Manufacturing and Processing, which is co-delivered and supported by the South West MAS, Cornwall Business School and the University of Plymouth, is just one way that we are helping to pass on core skills, develop understanding and appreciation of lean practices and invest in the long-term sustainability of industry.

To a new generation

Throughout the year, South West MAS specialists participate in projects which benefit the wider community. In particular, our team has taken a keen interest in introducing young people to the world of manufacturing to help demonstrate career opportunities offered by manufacturing and draw new blood into the industry. We have done this through involvement in initiatives such as Young Enterprise, ‘Imagineering’ and the Year in Industry placement scheme.

On selected school visits or at events, South West MAS specialists aim to engage students and children by bringing manufacturing and engineering to life. We encourage everyone to get involved through educational tools such as the ‘egg game’ where participants have to launch and land an egg safely or, the bridge game where a bridge is constructed from raw spaghetti! These games cultivate key manufacturing skills including problem solving, innovation, creativity, team work, communication and decision making.

Members of our team are often asked to join judging panels for industry awards and schemes and this is another way in which we contribute to the bigger picture across the region.

To the environment

As an organisation, we try to work in a lean and innovative way with minimum impact on the environment. Where possible, we car pool, share resources with partner organisations to avoid duplication and keep low stock levels of the materials we develop so as to avoid wastage. In addition, our team is based within the counties they serve rather than at a central office to minimise travelling distances. We also recycle our used print cartridges through a company that provides goats for impoverished African families.

We work closely with National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) – a programme which diverts resources from landfill and shares them, cross industry, through the commercial trading of materials and the sharing of assets. Similarly, when we can, we refer businesses to Envirowise to receive practical advice about how to reduce their environmental impact.