2007 MAS annual report launched

Hosted by the Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms MP, minister of state for competitiveness, the event proved to be a fitting end to yet another successful year for this manufacturing programme. In the past year alone, £143m of extra value has been added to MAS-assisted companies, bringing the cumulative 5-year total to an impressive £367m. The report also reveals that the MAS Regional Centres have completed 5,000 diagnostic visits and 1,350 in-depth interventions in the 2006/07 period. In his speech the Minister introduced the core areas of MAS Phase 3, due to commence in 2008. These include: · Strategic planning and skills development · Sourcing supplies, services and equipment · Application of lean techniques across the whole organisation · Improving the performance and operation of the supply chain · Improved resource efficiency in both energy and waste Timms said: “It is vitally important to capitalise on and consolidate MAS’ already strong position. However, the manufacturing industry as a whole, as well as government initiatives like MAS, cannot afford to rest on their laurels – this is why we have to progress further still with MAS Phase 3. “From 2008 onwards, MAS will be able to offer an enhanced service and SMEs can apply for a free business review which will be extended to up to 4 days and consultancy projects will be extended beyond the current limit of 10 days, in order to help those firms that have the potential to achieve world-class performance”. Centre director for MAS West Midlands, David Wright, attended the event and reinforced the key message: “MAS is delivered by manufacturers, for manufacturers – this is why the programme has been so well received. “The MAS Annual Report results quantify all the Regional Centres’ hard work and successes. We have a good base to build on and a strong and unified vision for the future, going forward with MAS Phase 3”. MAS Phase 3 has been overseen by the East Midlands Development Board (emda), the national lead for Regional Development Agencies on manufacturing. As part of a £1.3m pilot project and after a successful trial, the results showed greater flexibility for the MAS team, who were able to offer their services for longer periods of time where necessary.