July 6, 2005—The UK’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reports that its Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has smashed original targets by more than 50 percent, generating over 155 million of added value for UK manufacturing in its first three years.
The figures show that the service, delivered through 10 Regional Centres of Manufacturing Excellence across England and Wales, created added value amounting to 155.38 million. This compares to the original target of 93 million set at the launch in April 2002.
Final figures for the first three years show the service has:
- responded to almost 56,000 initial enquiries from businesses seeking advice;
- visited over 11,000 businesses to carry out initial diagnostic “health checks;”
- held over 1,300 events designed to educate and train local businesses, which have attracted more than 32,000 people; and
- completed 3,050 in-depth consultations.
The aim of MAS is to address the practical operational needs of British manufacturing, delivering affordable hands on advice and assistance from experts in a wide range of manufacturing disciplines. The assistance ranges from helping with the reorganization of factory space and introduction of “lean” manufacturing techniques to introducing technology improvements and training staff.
