Protechnic Working with Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)
Copy for Western Daily Press Annual Business Guide
New support for West manufacturers
In recognition of the vital role manufacturing must play in the nation’s economic recovery, a new nationally operated Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has been launched. It will be delivered in the West by SWMAS Ltd, which has a 10-year track record of providing hands-on, practical support and specialist knowledge to manufacturers across the region.
2011 was a challenging year for the UK manufacturing sector but it ended on an encouragingly positive note. Output at the end of the year rose above widely anticipated expectations, according to an index survey from Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), which was released at the start of 2012.
The launch of the new MAS, coupled with the introduction of an up to £125 million fundto improve the global competitiveness of UK manufacturing supply chains, illustrate the Government’s commitment to a renewed focus on manufacturing in the year ahead. A strong, thriving industrial base is being seen as fundamental for economic growth.
The new MAS is available to all manufacturing businesses across England and will be delivered by a Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC) led by Grant Thornton, Pera, WM Manufacturing Consortium Ltd and SWMAS Ltd. It is estimated that the new programme could help to generate £1.5 billion in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard a further 50,000 jobs.
SWMAS has delivered expert advice and practical, meaningful support to SME manufacturers in the South West for the last 10 years. As part of the MAC it will be able to continue to provide these services via its network of local manufacturing advisors.
Simon Howes, Managing Director, SWMAS Ltd, is in no doubt that the new national MAS will offer significant opportunities to local manufacturers. “Our emphasis will be on helping small and medium-sized businesses unlock their growth potential with continued focus on improving productivity and competitiveness,” he said.
The new service offers strategic assistance, something Simon believes is vital for manufacturers. “A business has to decide what it wants to achieve and then put a strategy and growth plan in place. From this we can drill down into the critical areas it needs to focus on in order to reach these aims.”
One such area is product development. This might include designing new products or adding additional features and improving the manufacturing efficiency or carbon performance of existing ones. MAS will underline how, through innovation, manufacturers can expand their product offering, moving into new sectors and growth markets.
Bristol-based Protechnic, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke transit cases, is one company that has already embraced innovation with the help of MAS. Despite being the UK’s market leader, the company recognised it could not afford to sit still. It sought to expand its product range with the development of a new type of case that it could take into new markets.
Keith Judson (image below), Managing Director, Protechnic, said: “We were keen to create something that was unique, durable, innovative, could be manufactured to exact specifications and was more than just a ‘me too’ product.
“MAS helped us establish the crux of the idea, affirming what we wanted to achieve and the niche we were trying to fill. The advisor acted as a sounding board and brought knowledge of different industries and sectors to the table.”
MAS also provided Protechnic with access to an external design specialist, whose support Keith believes was instrumental in the product development. “The idea for the Exocase has been around for four years, it was only with the support of MAS and the design specialist that we had the continued impetus and resources to explore the idea fully,” said Keith.
The introduction of the Exocase has opened many doors for Protechnic. It now has the potential to double its turnover over the next five years, growing to a predicted £5million. Export has also been important with the company able to successfully target new international markets.
“As Protechnic has shown, there are opportunities for West manufacturers to capitalise on in 2012 with the support of MAS. The programme will be highly collaborative, involving partners and relevant third party organisations,” explained Simon Howes.
“This will ensure the continued provision of services that make a tangible difference to profitability, sustainability and long-term prospects. This is a challenging but exciting time for ambitious West manufacturers with real growth potential.”
