There is less than six months left for SME Manufacturers to access grant funding and support opportunities through the Manufacturing Growth Programme.
Since October 2016 MGP has supported more than 2750 SME manufacturers identify their barriers to growth, improve their performance, create over 2100 new jobs and exceed growth expectations through more than £4m grant funding. MGP is scheduled to close its doors to ambitious manufacturers and provide free advice and support by the 31st March 2019.
Support can be used for improvement projects, such as marketing, business strategy, leadership and management, R&D, lean manufacturing, productivity and capacity, quality systems, supply chain development and more.
Projects are being achieved through a 19-strong network of experienced Manufacturing Growth Managers (MGM) that work with the SME manufacturers and create plans for growth and improvement. Manufacturers have access to industry specialists to implement those growth plans and the opportunity to apply for an average grant of up to 35% of the total project cost.
The Manufacturing Growth Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Economic Growth Solutions (EGS). When starting the programme in October 2016, EGS’s aim was to support and drive growth in local economics through making a difference to businesses.
To date, this has been achieved. Creating over 2100 new jobs and a further 690 expected to be completed by the end of the programme. MGP has helped companies across the UK to grow, develop new products, improve their processes and quality and support the economy.
Martin Coats, Managing Director of EGS, explained: “It’s great to see we are playing our role in supporting manufacturers and getting under the skin of what support firms need to be able to make sustainable growth.
“Our manufacturing experts understand the language MDs are talking and can guide them on making the right decisions, before bringing in specialists on specific issues they are facing or opportunities they’re looking to explore.”
He continued: “More than 2750 companies have now been assisted and we’ve created more than 2000 new jobs…those are apprentices, operatives, experienced engineers, R&D specialists. The impact across the UK has been phenomenal, supporting firms as far North as York, as far South as Kent, as far West as Hereford and as far east as Ipswich.”
“We now have less than £1m of grants to deliver but the window is getting smaller. We want manufacturers to come forward and see how they can take advantage of the assistance on offer before it’s too late.
“It’s never been easier. The process is quick, the scope of support can be tailored to the exact needs of the business and the results are making a real difference.”
To find out more visit www.manufacturinggrowthprogramme.co.uk, call 01664 501301 or follow @MfgGrowthP on Twitter.