Open letter to manufacturing stakeholders on the future of MAS

Jan. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Following the Government’s announcement in November 2010 that the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) will continue as the sector’s leading support body, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has today issued an open letter to manufacturing stakeholders, asking for contributions to help shape the future of the service.

The letter highlights key questions about MAS design and delivery, signposting lessons learnt and initial recommendations from the independently produced MAS Review (DTZ, published by the East midlands Development Agency). Areas for discussion include how best to prioritise services given emerging and future needs of manufacturers, strengthening key knowledge areas and the potential inclusion of non-SMEs.  
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Since its launch in 2002, MAS-NW has been focused on ensuring that the work it undertakes best meets the needs of manufacturers and has helped more than 4,000 small to medium sized firms in the region. Input from businesses and intermediaries is therefore integral to the process and as such an email has been set up so that thoughts and suggestions can be submitted and reviewed.

Adam Buckley, Head of Programmes at MAS-NW said: “MAS-NW fully appreciates how vital manufacturing is to the economy, and we will continue to play our part in ensuring the sector remains vibrant, creative and profitable.”

The open letter, and more information, can be viewed at http://www.mas.bis.gov.uk/news/open-letter-to-manufacturi...

The response address, MAS@bis.gsi.gov.uk, will be live until close of business on Wednesday 16th February.

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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.