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Big Plans for the South East - the UK's Biggest Manfacturing Region
17 November 2005
More than 7,000 manufacturers across the South East - which is now officially the UK's biggest manufacturing region - are set to benefit from expert, hands-on support over the next three years.
 Picture shows leading lean thinker Prof. Dan Jones (centre) alongside SEEDA Chairman James Brathwaite CBE, EEF South Chief Executive David Seall, Royal British Legion Industries Director of Manufacturing Frank Myers and SEEDA Board Member John Peel. The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has revealed that it is doubling the budget for the region's Manufacturing Advisory Service to £6 million to help manufacturers succeed in the face of growing competition from countries such as China and India.
Unveiling the plans, SEEDA Chairman James Brathwaite CBE committed the MAS to delivering assistance to one in three of the South East's manufacturers – support that will help companies to benefit from the latest 'lean' business improvement techniques.
He said: "The South East is the UK's biggest manufacturing region and is home to world leading companies in a number of high value sectors, such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals and digital technologies. It is vital to the success of our economy that we provide expert support to these and other businesses to help them succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.
"The MAS has already delivered more than £21 million of added value to the region's manufacturers – our plans for the next three years will expand this programme to reach one third of manufacturing companies in the South East. The focus will be on providing hands-on support to enhance productivity and promote a culture of innovation within businesses and their supply chains."
Mr Brathwaite was speaking at an event near Horsham on the future of manufacturing support.
His message was underpinned by a special presentation from Prof Dan Jones, an acknowledged world leader on lean thinking in manufacturing. Prof Jones spoke about the need for manufacturers to become more responsive to the needs of customers by refocusing their design and product development processes and cutting lead times.
The MAS South East is funded by SEEDA and the DTI and delivered by EEF South, the regional engineering employers' federation, with the support of the Business Link network.
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