A manufacturing collective has urged the Government to make its ‘restart, reposition and transform’ commitment to industry a reality and not just another marketing slogan.
The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which employs more than 2000 people across nine sub-contract manufacturers and a specialist engineering design agency, has launched its Post Covid-19 "MANifesto" to detail the support the sector needs if it is to recover from the pandemic and restore its position as a manufacturing powerhouse in the 21st century.
It also calls on more dedicated manufacturing support, introduction of immediate stimulus packages for critical industries and sustainable investment to help with the transition to the ‘green economy’ and the transport revolution (automated, connected, electrified and shared mobility).
Adam Cunningham, Chairman of MAN, said: “Whilst there is a real possibility of an economic downturn, the pandemic has underlined the importance of having a resilient domestic supply chain that can produce vital, often life-saving equipment in times of national crisis.
He continued: “We have been here before and we’ve heard politicians wheel out empty promises because it seems like the right thing to say. Well not this time, the MANifesto has been created by ten SMEs that cover more than 15 sectors and have a real appreciation for the challenges we are facing, but equally importantly the massive opportunities that exist with the right backing.
“We want Government to listen to and work with SMEs who are at the coalface to ensure UK manufacturing thrives again and is self-reliant wherever possible. In short, there can be no capacity in the modern-day supply chain without a healthy and vibrant SME base.”
The ten-point MANifesto in full:
The MAN Group is made up of Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, Warwick-based C-MAC SMT, Hereford-based Grove Design, James Lister & Sons, KimberMills International, Kidderminster-based Muller Holdings, PP Control & Automation and Studley-based Ricor, with Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) providing academic expertise, knowledge transfer and access to state-of-the-art technology.
Together, the collective offers a single-source solution to supply chain issues, providing access to castings, contract electronics, design, electrical assembly, forging, hydraulics, injection moulding, machining, PCB manufacture, pneumatics, high volume pressings/stampings and tube manipulation.
It employs more than 2000 people across 21 factories, boasting nearly £150m of annual sales and export orders to more than 35 countries.
Tony Sartorius, Chairman of Alucast and a founding member of MAN, said: “We have a real opportunity to shape manufacturing for the next few decades if the Government is brave enough to listen to manufacturers and pay us more than just the obligatory lip service.
“UkmfgUnite, a website run by manufacturers for manufacturers, has launched to find ways to retain production here and to support reshoring…in just a few weeks it has 250+ members and is generating lots of contracts.
“Yes, times are tough post Covid-19 and the first focus is on getting us back on track, but why stop there? We have outstanding firms, outstanding talent and a new-found public desire to see things being made in this country again. It’s time to seize the moment.”
Bath-based Future plc, the publisher of specialist online and print magazines, said trading in its…
The university of Bristol was one of six organisations to receive a contract from the…
Oxford BioDynamics Plc is teaming up with researchers at King's College London in a bid…
More than a quarter of a million extra construction workers are needed in the UK…
Kent-based housebuilder Vistry revealed it was on track to deliver more than 10% growth in…
A Dorset-based company, which has developed ground-breaking technology to recycle plastic waste and turn it…