Guidance on maximising benefits of low carbon

Nov 25 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THE future of national manufacturing business support will be shaped at a conference in Newcastle tomorrow.

The first Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Congress will focus on helping companies take advantage of the benefits offered by the low-carbon agenda, improving workforce skills and helping firms develop advanced manufacturing techniques.

The event, at the International Centre for Life, will attract representatives from all of the UK MAS Centres, regional development agencies, devolved administrations and delivery partners.

Ian Williams, One North East's director of business and industry, said: “The MAS Congress is an important event for the region. It provides us with the opportunity to showcase how well our regional MAS NE service works and how our engineers use the unique skills pioneered by One North East’s North East Productivity Alliance to help businesses save millions.”

Since its creation a year ago by Government and One North East, the new MAS NE service – which is a combination of the Manufacturing Advisory Service and One North East’s pioneering North East Productivity Alliance – has registered impressive results, working with firms across the region providing practical advice and guidance to boost productivity and generate efficiency savings.

MAS NE’s first annual results showed how the organisation supported 543 firms across the North East, helping secure £21.1m in productivity savings.

As well as providing an insight into new low-carbon opportunities, the Congress will look at ways of increasing collaboration between the regions, identifying emerging opportunities and highlighting how MAS can support UK manufacturers across the advanced manufacturing agendas.

Roger Parr, MAS national network resource manager, said: “MAS prides itself on delivering manufacturing best practice and this event is aimed at looking at maximising MAS’s impact on clients.”

Three workshops focusing on improving resource efficiency, supply chain activities and skills have been arranged for the Congress to ensure regional MAS teams are co-ordinated to enable UK manufacturers to receive the best possible service.

:: For further information on the full package of support, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast , tel: (0845) 600-9006.