Manufacturing Advisory Service
Encyclopedia
The Manufacturing Advisory Service is a government agency in England and Scotland that advises manufacturing companies.
in 2007) in April 2002. It was split into regions and was aimed at SMEs to offer technical and strategic advice. The regional offices were titled regional Centres of Manufacturing Excellence. There was also co-operation with trade association
s, research councils
and university departments. In the first year the MAS had on average improved companies productivity by 30%, reduced waste by 37%, and increased inventory turnover by 90%. It had been launched with £27 million funding for three years.
In many ways it is similar to what Business Link
provides for all small businesses, except that Business Link may not have the in-depth experience of manufacturing, specifically the technical know-how. From November 2011 Business Link is mostly to be disbanded, due to abolishment of regional development agencies
(RDAs), and replaced with regional websites.
Much of Business Link's advice was previously via its extensive website. Like Business Link, MAS was funded through RDAs. Half of the MAS's funding came from its RDA and the other half came from BIS.
In early 2004 the MAS was in line to be cancelled. In July 2004 it was announced that Business Link would be run by RDAs, and not central government. It 2005 the MAS was receiving £6 million a year.
, a minister at the BIS, announced an overhaul of the MAS. It will offer much of what it has done, but due to the regional developments agencies being abolished, it will be a national organisation from 1 January 2012. The new national programme will be delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium comprising Grant Thornton, Pera, WM Manufacturing Consortium Ltd and SWMAS Ltd.
On 10 December 2010 he had announced that the MAS would not be abolished, as Business Link will be, but will have a 25% cut in funding. It is costing £20 million a year, which will be reduced to £15 million. For the last financial year Business Link received £190 million.
. It has a helpline for advice (0845 658 9600). It can conduct a free Manufacturing Review on SME manufacturers, and offers subsidised consultancy (up to 50%), and has local events.
The support offered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service covers
Level 1 (Enquiries)Provided by a small team of experienced advisors geographically dispersed round England ensuring detailed local knowledge supported by an enhanced website offering a range of online support packages.
Level 2 (Manufacturing Review) Continue to provide 1 day (2 days for more complex businesses), on-site specialist manufacturing diagnostic review. MAC will use a new diagnostic tool based on the principles of "Manufacturing Excellence" developed in conjunction with the Warwick Manufacturing Group which includes comparisons against best-in-class. In addition, a "Fast Track" over the 'phone Level 2 will be introduced for common, well understood issues.
Level 3 (Events)Continue to provide training and networking events, including best practice visits. These will be an integral part of delivering the Business Improvement actions identified at Level 2. This will be complemented by a Sustainable Improvement Community using best practice social networking tools to provide peer-led best practice examples and lower cost forms of self help.
Level 4 (Consultancy)
Introduction of a three tier Level 4 project structure:
· MAS Foundation Service: Funding up to £1,000 (or a maximum of 50%) towards an improvement project - targeted at companies who need basic low level help.
· MAS Step Change Service: Funding of up to £3,000 (or 50% maximum) towards a more significant improvement programme.
· MAS Transformation Service: Funding of up to £10,000 (or 50% maximum) for a strategic change to the business.
Level 5 (Referrals)MAS advisors are responsible for identifying partner organisation support but retain responsibility for referral until it is demonstrated and confirmed by the client that the partner organisation has addressed the client need.
Supply Chain Focus on helping SMEs diversify into advanced manufacturing supply
chains; helping original equipment manufacturers and their supply chains develop better relationships and greater efficiency; helping groups of SMEs in supply chains or clusters interact more effectively. It will use the tools available through Levels 1 - 5 with custom implementation packages assembled to suit client needs delivered by a team of dedicated supply chain experts.
History
It was founded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, which became BERRDepartment for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform was a United Kingdom government department. The department was created on 28 June 2007 on the disbanding of the Department of Trade and Industry , and was itself disbanded on 6 June 2009 on the creation of the Department for Business,...
in 2007) in April 2002. It was split into regions and was aimed at SMEs to offer technical and strategic advice. The regional offices were titled regional Centres of Manufacturing Excellence. There was also co-operation with trade association
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
s, research councils
Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK is a strategic partnership between the seven UK Research Councils. It enables the Councils to work together more effectively to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of their research, training and innovation activities, contributing to the delivery of the Government's...
and university departments. In the first year the MAS had on average improved companies productivity by 30%, reduced waste by 37%, and increased inventory turnover by 90%. It had been launched with £27 million funding for three years.
In many ways it is similar to what Business Link
Business Link
Business Link is a government-funded business advice and guidance service in England. It consists of an online portal managed by HMRC, local/regional advisors and a national helpline.-History:...
provides for all small businesses, except that Business Link may not have the in-depth experience of manufacturing, specifically the technical know-how. From November 2011 Business Link is mostly to be disbanded, due to abolishment of regional development agencies
Regional Development Agency
In the United Kingdom, a regional development agency is a non-departmental public body established for the purpose of development, primarily economic, of one of England's Government Office regions. There is one RDA for each of the NUTS level 1 regions of England...
(RDAs), and replaced with regional websites.
Much of Business Link's advice was previously via its extensive website. Like Business Link, MAS was funded through RDAs. Half of the MAS's funding came from its RDA and the other half came from BIS.
In early 2004 the MAS was in line to be cancelled. In July 2004 it was announced that Business Link would be run by RDAs, and not central government. It 2005 the MAS was receiving £6 million a year.
Overhaul
On 14 October 2011 Mark PriskMark Prisk
Michael Mark Prisk is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He is the Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford, and was appointed Minister of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in May 2010...
, a minister at the BIS, announced an overhaul of the MAS. It will offer much of what it has done, but due to the regional developments agencies being abolished, it will be a national organisation from 1 January 2012. The new national programme will be delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium comprising Grant Thornton, Pera, WM Manufacturing Consortium Ltd and SWMAS Ltd.
On 10 December 2010 he had announced that the MAS would not be abolished, as Business Link will be, but will have a 25% cut in funding. It is costing £20 million a year, which will be reduced to £15 million. For the last financial year Business Link received £190 million.
Function
It works with training centres that are a Centre of Vocational ExcellenceCentre of Vocational Excellence
Centre of Vocational Excellence is a status given to departments in further education colleges in England...
. It has a helpline for advice (0845 658 9600). It can conduct a free Manufacturing Review on SME manufacturers, and offers subsidised consultancy (up to 50%), and has local events.
The support offered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service covers
Level 1 (Enquiries)Provided by a small team of experienced advisors geographically dispersed round England ensuring detailed local knowledge supported by an enhanced website offering a range of online support packages.
Level 2 (Manufacturing Review) Continue to provide 1 day (2 days for more complex businesses), on-site specialist manufacturing diagnostic review. MAC will use a new diagnostic tool based on the principles of "Manufacturing Excellence" developed in conjunction with the Warwick Manufacturing Group which includes comparisons against best-in-class. In addition, a "Fast Track" over the 'phone Level 2 will be introduced for common, well understood issues.
Level 3 (Events)Continue to provide training and networking events, including best practice visits. These will be an integral part of delivering the Business Improvement actions identified at Level 2. This will be complemented by a Sustainable Improvement Community using best practice social networking tools to provide peer-led best practice examples and lower cost forms of self help.
Level 4 (Consultancy)
Introduction of a three tier Level 4 project structure:
· MAS Foundation Service: Funding up to £1,000 (or a maximum of 50%) towards an improvement project - targeted at companies who need basic low level help.
· MAS Step Change Service: Funding of up to £3,000 (or 50% maximum) towards a more significant improvement programme.
· MAS Transformation Service: Funding of up to £10,000 (or 50% maximum) for a strategic change to the business.
Level 5 (Referrals)MAS advisors are responsible for identifying partner organisation support but retain responsibility for referral until it is demonstrated and confirmed by the client that the partner organisation has addressed the client need.
Supply Chain Focus on helping SMEs diversify into advanced manufacturing supply
chains; helping original equipment manufacturers and their supply chains develop better relationships and greater efficiency; helping groups of SMEs in supply chains or clusters interact more effectively. It will use the tools available through Levels 1 - 5 with custom implementation packages assembled to suit client needs delivered by a team of dedicated supply chain experts.
Structure
It has regional offices (9) across the UK- Scotland
- North East England
- North West England - Trafford ParkTrafford ParkTrafford Park is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, in Greater Manchester, England. Located opposite Salford Quays, on the southern side of the Manchester Ship Canal, it is west-southwest of Manchester city centre, and north of Stretford. Until the late 19th century it was the...
, Manchester - Yorkshire and the Humber
- West Midlands
- East Midlands - Melton MowbrayMelton MowbrayMelton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England. It is to the northeast of Leicester, and southeast of Nottingham...
, LeicestershireLeicestershireLeicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire... - East of England - MelbournMelbournMelbourn is a large village in the far south west of Cambridgeshire, England. It is located next to the A10 just north of Royston. Melbourn has over 4,400 inhabitants...
, CambridgeshireCambridgeshireCambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west... - South West England - TwigworthTwigworthTwigworth is a small village near Gloucester in Gloucestershire, England.The place-name 'Twigworth' is first attested in 1220, as 'Twigeworth', and is thought to mean 'enclosure made of twigs'....
, GloucestershireGloucestershireGloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean.... - South East England
See also
- Manufacturing Technologies AssociationManufacturing Technologies AssociationThe Manufacturing Technologies Association is a UK trade association representing the manufacturing technologies industry. The MTA sits at the core of the engineering based manufacturing sector and as an association works tirelessly to ensure member companies are as commercially successful as...
- Manufacturing in the United KingdomManufacturing in the United KingdomIn June 2010 British Manufacturing accounted for 8.2% of the workforce and 12% of the national output in June 2010. This was a continuation of the steady decline in the importance of Manufacturing to the Economy of the UK since the 1960s, although the sector was still important for overseas trade,...
- Technology life cycle
- New Enterprise Allowance