MAS-NW continues to lead national civil nuclear supply chain coordination activity

April 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Having run two very successful national supply chain conferences in Manchester (September 2010) and Doncaster (February 2011), the Department for Business Innovation and Skills has given MAS-NW the go ahead to continue to work within other MAS regions by providing expert advice and coordination to manufacturers nationwide. It is hoped that every MAS region can continue to build on the civil nuclear work that has been undertaken to date.

The intention over the coming months is for MAS-NW to provide clear continuous guidance and support to those businesses that are serious in their investment and business strategy to move into the nuclear supply chain. MAS will help manufacturers to identify where they might fit into the new build programme, possible routes to market, and the standards that need to be achieved to provide into this sector.

Listening to feedback obtained so far as a result of the work to date, and subject to demand, MAS will run specialised civil nuclear workshops and/or seminars organised during 2011 for SME manufacturing businesses.

On behalf of MAS nationally, MAS-NW will not only continue to supply their specialist expertise for the regions to draw upon, but will maintain a strategic relationship with the NIA, utility companies, reactor designers and other original equipment manufacturers so that knowledge can be transferred to manufacturers via the national MAS network.

It is also the intention of MAS-NW to grow the relationship with procurement personnel in the Tier 1 and 2 (main contractor) companies to help manufacturers identify markets that they can exploit, and as an integral part of the Nuclear AMRC ‘Fit-4-Nuclear’ programme, MAS will also help manufacturers meet the standards set out by the Nuclear New Build Tier 1 and 2 contractors.

For further details on the MAS Nuclear Supply Chain, please visit www.mas-nw.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Partners with MAS in the nuclear supply chain initiative include: National Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC), the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA), National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC).

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

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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.