As a result of the successful delivery of an original £10.3m business support programme, SME manufacturers have been given a major boost this week with news that an additional £11.8m of business support has been given to help a further 2,400 companies to grow.
The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which is funded by ERDF and delivered by Economic Growth Solutions part of Oxford Innovation Services Ltd, has already supported more than 2,000 SME manufacturers across England since October 2016 to make improvements by identifying, understanding and removing their barriers to growth.
More than 3,200 new jobs have been created as a result of the support provided by experienced Manufacturing Growth Managers, access to industry specialists and the opportunity to apply for improvement grants.
From April 2019, support can be used for an array of improvement projects such as continuous improvements, change, environmental and sustainability, leadership and management, marketing, people and skills, productivity and capacity, quality and strategy.
The additional funds aim to provide a more valuable and quality level of support from a dedicated, local Growth Manager. A more in-depth business diagnostic and action plan will be provided as part of the support alongside providing an improvement grant.
A series of manufacturing themed workshops will also be available from Summer 2019 to help develop the skills within manufacturing businesses.
“In October 2016, we had a business support programme to deliver, all staff on the programme have worked incredibly hard to get to where we are today, and we’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of support and progress both the programme and the company have made.” Martin Coats, Managing Director of Economic Growth Solutions stated.
“Working with the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) and local Growth Hubs to continually add value to SME manufacturing businesses across the country has resulted in their commitment to support us for another two and a half years.
“As a result of the successful delivery of MGP, we have joined forces with Oxford Innovation Services, to deliver the extension of the programme from April 2019 to allow us to provide the country’s largest manufacturing business support organisation.”
Dean Barnes, Regional Director of the Manufacturing Growth Programme added, “We are extremely proud of where we are and how far we’ve come as a team. The support we’ve given to SME manufacturing companies across the country to date is tremendous. Not only have we supported economic development through the creation of over 3,200 new jobs, we’ve enabled sustainable business improvements to thousands of ambitious businesses.
“The extension will allow us to provide enhanced support to more SME manufacturing businesses to grow as well as having the opportunity to add more value and further develop those businesses we have already supported.
“MGP previously covered a large proportion of the country, this remains the same with a few minor changes. Unfortunately, the extension will no longer be able to support companies based in the New Anglia LEP region, however we will now be able to support those in the Enterprise M3 and Solent regions which is an exciting development for us.
“Our Manufacturing Growth Managers are trusted experts that understand the language MD’s are talking and through a new manufacturing diagnostic tool, can guide them on making the right decisions, before bringing in specialists on specific issues they are facing or opportunities they’re looking to explore.”
It’s never been easier. The process is slick, the scope of support is tailored to each business’ needs, the business diagnostic provides an in-depth look into their business and the results, as proved, are making a real difference.
If you’re a manufacturing SME, we’d love to find out more about your business and discuss how we can support you to achieve your growth plans.
Join the programme or Meet the Team.
Copyright © Economic Growth Solutions, 12th April 2019.