Targeted funding

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has released £6m of extra funding for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to support businesses through the recession.

Since it was established six years ago, the MAS has given £310m of added value through manufacturing improvements, organised over 900 training events for local businesses, and funded more than 1,000 company support programmes.

The latest MAS funding boost will be delivered by the manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, for the period between 2009 and 2012.

Pam Alexander, chief executive at SEEDA, said: 'The south east has the largest and most productive manufacturing sector of any UK region, with more than 260,000 employees. Despite the many challenges these businesses are facing through the recession, it is the innovative, high-value products and technologies they produce that may offer our best route into the upturn.

‘SEEDA is committed to ensuring these vital businesses receive the advice and support they need, and MAS is an important part of this effort. EEF has done a fantastic job in delivering the service and we are confident they will continue to maintain this high standard of targeted help in the future.'

David Caddle, MAS South East programme manager at EEF, added: 'We are delighted that SEEDA has awarded the third MAS South East contract to EEF. Our aim is to deliver a programme of manufacturing support for manufacturers, by manufacturers, helping businesses to realise real, measurable and sustainable improvements whatever legislation or market conditions they face now and in the future.'