Manufacturing Advisory Service NW helps manufacturers get back to the future

June 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Manufacturers in the North West seeking to become resource-efficient and cut their costs, engender total creativity and embed innovation in their business should attend the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) NW networking workshop “Exploit fresh market opportunities”.

This free, early-morning event is being held in the unique, innovative environment of Manchester’s Fab Lab, in the landmark Chips Building, New Islington (behind the Great Ancoat’s Street Retail Park) on 29 June from 08:30 to 10:30 am.
Coupled with a changing attitude to environmental and legislative issues and increasing consumer demand, the market continues to grow for environmentally sound products and services. This opens up opportunities for growth for businesses, and this networking event aims to demonstrate these opportunities and outline the funded support available to help manufacturers innovate and succeed in this growing area.
Particularly suitable for staff with either responsibility for, or interest in, research and development (R&D), design and engineering, a series of presentations, case studies and an interactive workshop will show delegates how to cut costs through resource, release and harness creativity of the workforce, suppliers and customers’ efficiency and embed innovation into their businesses.

The event is being delivered in partnership with C-Tech Innovation (the UK-based, internationally-focused, innovation management and technology development company), and Lancaster University (one of the consistent top-performing Universities for teaching and research and one of only 29 UK universities in the world top 200), who will have specialists in attendance.

And adding an additional air of creativity to the proceedings, delegates can learn all about the opportunities available through Fab Lab to develop and make prototypes for new product ideas.

For further details call 0800 093 9077 quoting “Fresh”, log on to www.mas-nw.co.uk/events or email jenny.sanderson@mas-nw.co.uk




NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Since 2002, MAS North West (www.mas-nw.co.uk), which is delivered in the region by The Manufacturing Institute, has helped manufacturers to generate financial returns totalling £739 million and to safeguard 8790 jobs.

2. The Manufacturing Advisory Service offers manufacturing companies with practical, hands-on support in all aspects of manufacturing to help achieve improvements in productivity and competitiveness. The service includes:
• A direct helpline - 0800 093 9077
• A free manufacturing review
• A programme of factory visits and networking events
• Subsidised consultancy support
• Links in to other support organisations

3. The Manufacturing Advisory Service provides information and advice on many issues:
• Increasing productivity
• Developing new products
• Improving supply chain performance
• Sourcing suppliers
• Developing a manufacturing strategy
• Improving resource efficiency
• Managing change

4. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme allocates funding to different regions throughout the European Union to boost economic development in less prosperous areas. ERDF North West is part funding the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

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Small and medium size North West manufacturers have access to a fully or part-funded manufacturing review to review to assess existing working processes and identify the best areas for improvement.