Out Of Bbc’s Dragon’s Den Into The Arms Of The Manufacturing Advisory Service (mas) Nw

Sept. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- Stockport-based Advanced Building Design, designers and manufacturers of patented central heating and plumbing tools thought their time had come with an appearance on the BBC entrepreneur’s venture capital programme “Dragon’s Den”.

Graham Downey and Phil Morris have solved several plumbing and building innovations over the years. Their innovative tools, such as the Radclamp, Easytap Splitter and Pozibite are helping to revolutionise tap repairs and radiator removal by making it a simpler, safer, easier and cleaner task. Whatever the reason to remove or install a radiator or to fix a dripping tap, ABD supply the expert British designed and British made tools.

They appeared on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den programme seeking £89,000 for a 15% equity in the business from the Dragons to further develop and market their innovative range of clamps. Their enviable unique selling point is that their products enable builders, plumbers, heating engineers and decorators to remove radiators and change taps without having to take the appliances out of their installed environment.

Unfortunately, despite the interest generated in the products, the Dragons weren’t as enthusiastic as Graham and Bill, and subsequently refused to make an offer.

When contacted by the Manufacturing Advisory Service, ABD immediately took up the option of a free Business Development Review to assess the business and help strengthen their marketing and order book skills. A MAS expert will be visiting the company to identify the improvement options for increasing overall business efficiency and to further their growth potential.  This might include productivity, supply chain, exports etc….

Paul Fewtrell, Head of MAS said: “It’s only expected that with the number of  applications for help from Dragon’s Den, only a minority will receive financial backing. With a funded manufacturing review, we will be able to assess the company’s business practices first-hand, offer solutions for improvements, enhance what they are doing right and hopefully help to produce yet another successful North West manufacturer”.

The Dragon’s Den Programme, at the time of writing, can be seen on BBC iPlayer and is also on uTube. For further information on Radclamp and their products, see http://radclamp.com

If you’re a North West manufacturer and would like information on the fully-funded services available to help protect and grow your business, please visit the  Manufacturing Advisory Service NW home page at www.mas-nw.co.uk or call 0800 093 9077.


ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. 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. Since 2002, MAS North West, 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.
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

2. The Manufacturing Institute (www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk) is an independent charity - driven by manufacturers for manufacturers. For 15 years The Manufacturing Institute has helped transform manufacturing performance, working with over 4000 companies to gain competitive advantage from high impact skills building and productivity improvement programmes.

3. 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.


Edward Moss
Public Relations and Communications
The Manufacturing Advisory Service in the North West (MAS-NW)
Tel: 0161 875 2462 - Fax: 0161 875 2503 - Direct: 07530 452 529

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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.