South East manufacturers get £6 million support boost
13 May 2009A new £6 million commitment from SEEDA will fund free business advice for the region’s manufacturers to help them drive the region out of recession.
This will build on successes over the past six years, where SEEDA funding for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has:
- delivered over £310 million of added value through manufacturing improvements,
- handled over 20,000 enquiries from businesses seeking advice,
- funded almost 3,000 diagnostics and over 1,000 in-depth company support programmes, and
- arranged over 900 education and training events for local businesses.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), a Solutions for Business Product, will be delivered in the South East by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation for the period 2009-12.
MAS offers free practical, hands-on support to the 21,000 manufacturing businesses based in the South East, focusing on improving profits and keeping manufacturers competitive, particularly now through the recession.
Pam Alexander, SEEDA Chief Executive, said: "The South East has the largest and most productive manufacturing sector of any UK region, with over 260,000 employees. Despite the many challenges these businesses are facing through the recession, it is the innovative, high value products and technologies they produce that may offer our best route into the upturn.
"SEEDA is committed to ensuring these vital businesses receive the advice and support they need, and MAS is an important part of this effort. EEF has done a fantastic job in delivering the service and we are confident they will continue to maintain this high standard of targeted help in the future."
David Caddle, MAS South East Programme Manager at EEF, said: "We are delighted that SEEDA has awarded the third MAS South East contract to EEF. Our aim is to deliver a programme of manufacturing support for manufacturers, by manufacturers, helping businesses to realise real, measurable and sustainable improvements whatever legislation or market conditions they face now and in the future."
For further information visit the MAS South East website or contact:
David Caddle, Programme Manager
Tel: 0845 609 2121
Email: davidcaddle@mas-se.org.uk
For further information, please contact:
James Fulker, SEEDA Press Officer
Tel: 01483 484200
Email: pressoffice@seeda.co.uk
View the full media release here.
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