MANUFACTURING is set for a boost in Warwickshire.
A new Manufacturing Growth Programme, led by Oxford Innovation Advice and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is geared at helping the county’s manufacturers to grow.
Warwickshire is a major UK centre of design, manufacturing, and engineering, working across many sectors from aerospace and automotive to food and drink and construction materials, and is home to two of the UK’s nine catapult centres, at The MTC at Ansty and WMG at Warwick University.
The programme seeks to improve SME productivity, bolster competitiveness, foster sustainability, increase digitalisation, create job opportunities, and encourage the adoption of innovative products and services.
It has been developed and commissioned jointly by Warwickshire County Council, on behalf of the county’s six local authorities.
WCC’s economy spokesperson Coun Martin Watson said: “The manufacturing industry in Warwickshire and the wider region is long established and we are thrilled to be able to work in partnership with our district and borough councils and Oxford Innovation Advice to deliver a new Manufacturing Growth Programme.
“This exciting programme has been carefully designed to support Warwickshire’s manufacturing small and medium enterprises meet the challenges and opportunities presented by decarbonisation, digitisation, reshoring and other changes coming to global manufacturing.”
The programme will support more than 250 manufacturing SMEs in Warwickshire, with each business receiving tailored support from a dedicated, local and highly experienced manufacturing growth manager.
With the use of Oxford Innovation Advice’s business diagnostic tool, GROWTHmapper, the manufacturing growth manager will be able to develop a bespoke action plan setting out short, medium and long term improvement goals and ensure that the businesses receive the specialised assistance they need.
Seventy of the SME manufacturers participating in the programme also stand to benefit from grant funding, receiving £500 towards a business improvement project, working alongside industry experts to deliver added value projects.
In addition to providing hands on business support, the programme will also connect the SMEs with wider business support opportunities, both locally and nationally to maximise their growth potential.
To find out more visit www.warwickshire-mgp.co.uk
