The past twenty years has seen the information technology and professional services industries as the “be all and end all” of great British business. However, the dot com collapse, followed by the banking crisis and recent recession, has resulted in a long overdue recognition that manufacturing is crucial to economic recovery, especially for exports to boost the country’s balance of trade deficit.
 
There are negative and stereotypical myths abounding about manufacturing being dead-end, messy and lacking creativity, with boring assembly lines, poor pay and a lack of esteem for its workers. However, nothing could be further from the truth, and the Manufacturing Institute considers taking this view as being the same as saying the modern office is still knee-deep in manual typewriters and messy ink ribbons, or that every new car sold should include a hand-crank and pedestrian red-flag waver.
 
To reinforce how stereotypically wrong these myths are, the Manufacturing Institute’s free A5 glossy booklet, entitled “Manufacturing – the truth behind the myths”, is now available. It completely dispels the current top ten negative views on manufacturing through a series of case studies from influential and high-profile North West-based world-class manufacturers, including Bentley Motors, Applied Biosystems, BAE Systems Submarines, Siemens, Airbus and New Balance Athletic Shoes.
 
Adam Buckley, Head of Programmes at The Manufacturing Institute said: “Manufacturing is certainly extremely active and on the up as far as the North West is concerned. We’re helping and seeing manufacturers in the region completely explode these negative and outdated myths. Many manufacturers are now ably demonstrating that stamping “made in the UK” on their products represents a symbol of quality, bringing with it a sense of pride and much needed revenue for the country’s economy. We will continue to help manufacturers in the North West improve their quality and productivity, allowing them to not only ably compete with the best in the world, but most importantly, to also improve their own bottom-line profitability and secure jobs.”
 
About The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute (www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk) is an independent charity - driven by manufacturers for manufacturers. For 15 years The Manufacturing Institute has helped transform manufacturing performance, working with over 4000 companies to gain competitive advantage from high impact skills building and productivity improvement programmes. Since 2002, MAS North West (www.mas-nw.co.uk) has helped manufacturers to generate financial returns totalling £739 million and to safeguard 8790 jobs. The Manufacturing Advisory Service offers manufacturing companies with practical, hands-on support in all aspects of manufacturing to help achieve improvements in productivity and competitiveness. The service includes:
 
• A direct helpline - 0800 093 9077
• A free manufacturing review
• A programme of factory visits and networking events
• Subsidised consultancy support
• Links in to other support organisations
 
The Manufacturing Advisory Service provides information and advice on many issues:
 
• Increasing productivity
• Developing new products
• Improving supply chain performance
• Sourcing suppliers
• Developing a manufacturing strategy
• Improving resource efficiency
• Managing change
 
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme allocates funding to different regions throughout the European Union to boost economic development in less prosperous areas. ERDF North West is part funding the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

More Critical Issues	Archived Critical Issues
More >>	More >>