By David Pitfield,
SWMAS Manufacturing Business Advisor

I’ve been delighted to work with several companies recently, offering advice to help them face the significant challenges of COVID-19 and vital support as they plan for recovery and future growth.

In-Depth Business Assistance – Clean Growth:
A long-established engineering company in Bournemouth had an ambition to process and reuse as much scrap as possible. Our discussions, and a review of business growth and recycling aspirations, led to connections with the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the South West Waste Minimisation Group (SWWMG).  I also facilitated an introduction to a large polymer company in Devon, who specialise in recycling waste plastics produced from manufacturing equipment such as injection moulders, extruders and vacuum formers.

Recent Business Improvement Grants:
I am in discussion with a number of Dorset-based companies who are looking for support with a variety of projects, including new design and innovation, workflow optimisation, and IT/digital transformation.

Several grants have recently been approved and given to businesses right across Dorset, including: 

  • A plastic injection moulding company in Ferndown
  • A healthcare equipment company in Blandford
  • Two precision machining companies in Weymouth

These grants have been used towards the purchase of new equipment which has enabled each business to maximise efficiency and productivity.

Future Plans:
Whilst many companies have put investment decisions on hold since the COVID-19 pandemic, some are now in a position to invest for future growth opportunities. I look forward to offering Dorset-based manufacturers the support they need to help aid their recovery over the coming months.

Of course, not all businesses looking for assistance need a grant. As a Manufacturing Business Advisor, I enjoy having the opportunity to discuss current challenges across the manufacturing sector, uncover opportunities, and signpost towards other appropriate support, which has recently included NHS supply chain opportunities, low carbon/clean growth support, and guidance for innovation and exporting.

 

Interested in how support from SWMAS can be applied to your business?

 


 

Other regional companies have also benefited from working with SWMAS...