Manufacturing Advisory Service to expand

London – UK Industry and Regions minister Margaret Hodge has announced an expansion of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) -- a government-backed business diagnostic service.

Under the move, small and medium sized manufacturers will be offered up to four days free advice from April next year. MAS will also offer an extended support in areas including strategic planning, skills development and sourcing of materials, services and technology.

Manufacturers can further benefit from new management and operational advice on all aspects of company business as well as MAS advice on improving the performance and operation of the supply chain and resource efficiency in both energy and waste.

“MAS has already delivered for many manufacturing firms, helping them boost productivity, improve turnover and invest for the future. This expansion builds on that success and offers our world class manufacturers a tremendous opportunity to secure long term competitive advantage,” said Hodge.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service was created in 2002 as part of the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy. MAS experts have carried out over 18,000 on site reviews and completed more than 5,000 consultancy projects since its inception.