Are you Made for Manufacturing? The search begins for manufacturing excellence in Greater Manchester

Manufacturers in Greater Manchester are invited to apply for a high-calibre and fully-funded practical, hands-on programme that will enable them to improve quality of service and product, ensure better lead times, and reduce overall business costs.

GC Business Growth Hub’s Made for Manufacturing programme launches at the end of September and is looking to recruit manufacturers of all sizes who are focused on improving efficiencies and growing their workforce.

The group-based programme will take place over a ten-week period and offers tailored advice and support from expert speakers, peer-to-peer learning, and one-to-one support from an expert Manufacturing Advisor based within GC Business Growth Hub, part of the Growth Company.

Through a combination of virtual tours looking at good industry practice, workshops and engaging practical activities, Made for Manufacturing is an opportunity for business owners and leaders to hold a mirror to their company and commit to actions that will lead to continuous improvements.

The Made for Manufacturing programme’s three areas of focus will be:

*            Measure Something

*            Do Something

*            Learn Something.

The programme will help participating companies to improve quality, costs and lead time performances in the pursuit of better profitability.

Programme Manager and Manufacturing Advisor, Nick Brandwood, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for businesses in the manufacturing sector that want to maximise profits, achieve the best possible quality and develop the best possible people.

“These dynamic, virtual workshops are designed to help businesses rapidly plan and implement activities in the workplace. Successful applicants will only need to be away from the shop floor for two to three hours at a time, and in each session will identify an improvement opportunity to put straight into practice. It’s for leaders, it’s for do-ers.

“Group sizes are limited to ten businesses, so we would urge interested companies to apply as soon as possible, to help them thrive in the current climate with relevant support that’s tailored for their needs. Our challenge to them is: Are you Made for Manufacturing?”

Over the past five years, GC Business Growth Hub’s Manufacturing Team has worked with 600 manufacturing companies, delivering a £20m-plus increase in sales and supporting the creation of over 300 jobs.

Made for Manufacturing sessions are designed to share ideas, offer support, and pinpoint practical actions as a prelude for manufactures to return to the shop floor, engage with their teams and deliver long-lasting improvements.

The first 10-week programme begins w/c 28th September and ends mid-December.

The closing date for the first group on Made for Manufacturing is Friday 11th September. Businesses can apply at businessgrowthhub.com/madeformanufacturing <https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/manufacturing/Made-For-Manufacturing> .

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services. GC Business Growth Hub is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities.

GC Business Growth Hub (www.businessgrowthhub.com):

GC Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company, helps businesses at all stages of their growth journey with a broad range of services delivered by its experts, as well as public and private sector partners. These services include one-to-one and peer-to-peer business support, events, specialist programmes and funding.

GC Business Growth Hub was launched in 2011 and has helped thousands of start-ups, scale-ups and established businesses across Greater Manchester.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is a UK-wide not-for-profit economic development agency that seeks to generate inclusive growth in the country’s economy by creating jobs and improving lives. It offers a wealth of services that support growth among individuals, businesses, cities and regions. For more information, please visit www.growthco.uk

ERDF

GC Business Growth Hub is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020, as part of a portfolio of ERDF-funded programmes designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. Eligibility criteria apply. ERDF is a fund allocated by the European Union that finances convergence, regional competitiveness and employment and territorial co-operation.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/erdf-regional-guidance-north-west

Local Growth Fund

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

*            There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England

*            The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.

*            LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.

Northern Powerhouse

Some Northern Powerhouse key facts:

*            The Northern Powerhouse is a key aspect of this Government’s approach to addressing the productivity gap in the North and ensuring a stronger, more sustainable economy for all parts of the UK.

*            The government has awarded £3.4bn in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Northern Powerhouse.