Between April 2016 and September 2019, SWMAS delivered two successful European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes. Working closely with the region’s 6 LEPs & Growth Hubs we provided tailored advice, support and investment to nearly 900 SME manufacturers:

• Local Manufacturing Advisory Programme (LMAP)

SWMAS supported SME manufacturers across the South West of England enabling them to improve their productivity and stimulate their growth aspirations.

• High Value Manufacturing Investment Programme (HVMIP)

Innovative SME manufacturers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly benefited from SWMAS' insight to help them grow and develop and launch new products.

ACROSS THE SOUTH WEST, SME MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES BENEFITED FROM:

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SWMAS LMAP & HVMIP PROGRAMMES INCLUDED:

Independent evaluation

Independent evaluation of both programmes stated:

Overall, the feedback received from both supported businesses and wider stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. The consensus is that both programmes have been well-managed and are an integral part of the business support landscape across the region.

Importantly, they have delivered against their overall objectives of providing quality support to manufacturing businesses in the area, providing advice and investment to stimulate the growth aspirations of a diverse set of manufacturing businesses.

...There is a good level of female representation at a senior level within supported businesses...We spoke to several businesses which were owned and managed by motivated women and this should be seen as a significant positive outcome.

- LMAP & HVMIP Summative Assessment​s

OVERALL VALUE OF SWMAS SUPPORT EXPERIENCED BY BUSINESSES