SUPPORT FOR MANUFACTURING

Two steps have been taken to improve the communication of our range of business support and the sources of other advice and expertise for manufacturers:-

• Addition of Manufacturing as a Topic on the Business Link National Information Service (BLNIS) website - www.businesslink.org.uk (users will need to first drill down through Operations and Management and then sectors to access the manufacturing content).

• Creation of the MAS website with a supporting National Network of Centres of Expertise in Manufacturing.

However, you may welcome a sample here of the types of initiatives which DTI currently has underway  for which we have included hyperlinks which we trust you will find helpful. Some readers may also be interested to see the Manufacturing Summary (700Kb) produced in the context of DTI's recent White Paper and an earlier paper on the important role of Manufacturing in a Knowledge Driven Economy (1.8Mb)

Fit for the Future: Links to Support for Best practice

The CBI led, DTI supported, Fit for the Future campaign ensures linkages between initiatives and facilitates the exchange of learning. The Industry Forum programme is recognised as a major strand within the Fit for the Future campaign which is helping to spread the best practice message both across sectors and within supply chains.

"The Fit for the Future campaign (launched December 1998) represents a major CBI/DTI collaboration, delivering a Competitiveness White Paper commitment, encouraging companies to "collaborate to compete"

The campaign's origins in the CBI's National Manufacturing Council's report "Fit for the Future" which identified the transfer of best practice as the most powerful process any company can adopt to deliver immediate, measurable and sustained productivity improvement. The central aim of the campaign is to massively increase the number of companies engaged in the transfer of best practice.

To achieve this aim, the campaign has built a network of partners organisations such as Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), BT plc, BAE Systems plc, delivering best practice programmes and initiatives. In creating the network, the campaign is seen as an umbrella for the best practice activities at a national, regional and local level and seeks to raise awareness and uptake amongst companies of all sizes and sectors."

Web site, as before, www.fitforthefuture.org.uk

Industry For a website addresses: 

www.industryforum.co.uk
www.ceramicindustryforum.co.uk
www.industryforum.net
www.logic-oil.com
www.sbac.co.uk/laihome.htm
www.metalsindustry.co.uk
www.picme.org.uk
www.coneq.org.uk

Benchmarking : Links to Support for Best Practice

The SBS National Improvement Services  are a range of activities to help you to improve different aspects of your business management and operations.

The SBS Benchmark Index brings high quality benchmarking information and consultancy within easy reach of SMEs through a number of different business support organisations.

The Benchmark Index allows a company to measure its performance against others in over 60 aspects of finance, operations, management and Business Excellence. Comparisons can be made against companies in the same industrial sector, turnover, number of staff or region. By providing specific performance measurement against other businesses management teams are provided with objective data that clearly identifies areas for improvement . This provides a starting prompt to improve business performance and encourages regular and systematic performance monitoring. 

SBS Inside UK Enterprise  aims to improve the competitive performance of UK companies through a programme of one-day visits to "host" companies. Over 170 "host" companies from a range of industry sectors, including manufacturing and service, openly share their experiences and facilitate a business to business exchange of information on best practice. The IUKE programme allows visitors to experience "hands-on" new techniques and innovations and identify ways of improving their business's performance through the exchange of ideas.

SBS Connect is as series of best practice CD-ROMs that are designed to encourage and stimulate SMEs to improve their competitiveness by taking next steps action. It provides a range of dynamic interactive presentations ranging from 45 minutes to 3 hours on a wide range of subjects relevant to businesses - such as leadership, customer focus, products and processes, business excellence model, the Euro and minimum wage.

Manufacturing - a sector study (185.4Kb)

This report presents an analysis of the performance of manufacturing companies within Benchmark Index.  The report explores ways to improve financial performance through investigating the following subjects;

a) The relationship issues between the company and its stakeholders.

b) The performance measurement issues that pertain to implementing strategies.

c) The business processes and capabilities involved in delivering the strategy.

For further information please contact:

Tony Kennedy, Quality Manager,
Email: Tony.Kennedy@sbs.gsi.gov.uk

TCS : Links to People Transferring Scientific, Engineering, and Technological Knowledge and Business Management Expertise from ‘the knowledge base’ to firms.

Every TCS Programme (formerly known as the Teaching Company Scheme) involves at least one high quality graduate (TCS Associate) working in a company, normally for two years, on a project that is central to the company’s needs.  Representatives of both the knowledge base and the company partner jointly supervise each TCS Programme.

Part-funded by means of a Government grant to the knowledge base partner, the company also contributes to the direct costs of the TCS Programme.  Although the amount depends on the detail of the specific Programme, an SME will generally contribute about 40% of direct costs (£14,000 per Associate per year) and a larger company will normally contribute at least 60% (£21,000 per Associate per year).

The Technology and Knowledge Transfer team of the Small Business Service has lead responsibility for TCS on behalf of all 11 Government bodies that fund TCS activity. It is delivered and managed under contract by ‘TCD’ an operating centre of NPL Management Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Group plc. TCD has a network of dedicated TCS Consultants throughout the UK.

TCS
Hillside House
79 London Street
Faringdon
Oxon
SN7 8AA

Tel: 01367 245215
Fax: 01367 242831
e-mail: tcs@tcd.co.uk
www.tcsonline.org.uk

STEP : Links to Find Undergraduates

STEP (the Shell Technology Enterprise Programme) is a national placement scheme for undergraduates supported by Shell International Ltd and the SBS.   STEP aims to encourage SMEs to consider employing graduates and to provide undergraduates with experience in business, thereby encouraging them to consider a career in a smaller firm.  Undergraduates benefit from an 8-week placement during their final summer vacation working on a project identified by the company.   Placement costs are shared between the host company and a local or national sponsor.  More flexible versions of STEP are also being developed, i.e. placements not limited to 8 weeks in the summer.

STEP is managed nationally by STEP Enterprise Ltd on behalf of Shell, the SBS and DTI, and locally by appointed agencies.

STEP Enterprise Ltd.
Harling House
62 Copperfield Street
London SE1 0DJ

Tel:  0207 921 5400
Fax:  0207 921 5401
e-mail: enquiries@step.org.uk
www.step.org.uk

www.businessadviceonline.org

Smart: Links to Support for Technology Development

Smart  http://www.sbs.gov.uk/SMART/ in England, operated by the Small Business Service, is the Government’s package of support providing grants to help individuals and small businesses research and develop technologically innovative products and processes or buy external consultancy to improve their use and exploitation of technology. LINK : for more general R&D with Universities

LINK : for more general R&D with Universities

LINK Collaborative Research Scheme

What is LINK?

LINK is the UK Government's main scheme for encouraging research partnerships between industry and universities and other research institutions.  It aims to stimulate innovation, create wealth and improve quality of life.  Through LINK, businesses can use the new ideas, skills and facilities of universities and other research institutions to develop new technology, with up to 50% of the costs being met by Government.

LINK offers a tried and tested framework of support which helps to reduce the risks and uncertainties involved, especially for businesses new to research partnerships.

How does LINK work?

LINK is a family of individual managed programmes of industrial research.  Each of these programmes covers a particular market or technology sector and supports a number of collaborative research projects.

A LINK programme usually lasts for around five years and is funded by one or more Government Departments and Research Councils.  Each programme has its own management structure, with an advisory group (normally called a Programme Management Committee) made up of industrialists and academics to help select the projects to be supported.  There is also a Programme Manager to liaise with businesses wanting to apply for project support and help them through the application process.

Is LINK right for me?

Yes, if you:

• Want to tap into the vast pool of knowledge being created by public-sector investment in universities;
• Are keen to gain access to new skill and to develop your own business’s capabilities;
• Want to be involved in next-generation products or services;
• Plan beyond the short term;
• Consider that technology is developing too fast for you to stay ahead on your own;
• Want to tackle new market opportunities beyond your own capacity, either financially or technically; or
• See advantages in developing strategic partnerships.

Who do I contact for more information?

You can find general information about individual programmes and who to contact on the LINK web-site: www.dti.gov.uk/ost/link or you can get details from:

LINK Directorate in the Office of Science and Technology
Bay 2140
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

E-mail:  link.ost@gtnet.gov.uk
Helpline:   020 7215 0053  (24hr Answerphone)
Fax:  020 7215 0044

The Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) runs the Faraday Partnership initiative in conjunction with the Research Councils and other Government Departments. The DTI is committed to establishing a UK-wide network of 24 Faraday Partnerships by 2002.

Each Partnership is designed to promote better exploitation of research and technology by creating partnerships between universities, intermediary bodies (e.g. RTOs, private sector laboratories, etc), business end-users and suppliers of finance.  A typical partnership will bring together 40 or more innovating businesses of all sizes and involve “technology translators” – business literate scientists and engineers – to share ideas and commercialise research.  Further information and details of the existing Faraday Partnerships can be found on the DTI Faraday Partnerships Web Page or on the EPSRC Web Site, (see below) which includes links to current Faraday Partnerships sites. Eight new Partnerships were announced on 30 April 2001 (a full list and more general information can be found on the new Faraday Partnerships website: www.faradaypartnerships.org.uk

The Sustainable Technologies Initiative (STI)

The objective of the STI is to encourage industry, in conjunction with the science base, to develop and adopt new technologies which are more sustainable and which will contribute to sustainable development and competitiveness. They would, therefore, include technologies that enhance economic growth and social equity while reducing adverse impacts on the environment. It is important that an integrated approach is taken so that one objective is not being met at the expense of the rest.

The STI is a broad initiative that will support a range of projects for further information see:  www.EPSRC.ac.uk   *

*(look under 'current research opportunities') or from the Programme Co-ordinator Nick Morley, telephone 01296 337165.

Envirowise : Links to sustainable technology for manufacturers
(Formerly the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme)

The Programme was re-launched under its new name on 1^st November 2000. It seeks to improve environmental performance whilst increasing the competitiveness of UK industry by encouraging the take-up of good practice technology and techniques.  Envirowise is jointly funded by DTI and DETR and is run on behalf of the Departments by the partnership of AEA Technology plc and NPL Management Ltd.  The main themes of the Programme are the promotion of waste minimisation and the adoption of cost-effective cleaner technology. Within these themes there have been specifically targeted areas of industry, namely:

Envirowise offers free advice through a national help-line and disseminates authenticated examples of technology and techniques which are suitable for replication in industrial and commercial locations.  For this purpose the Programme publishes Good Practice and New Practice case studies. It also organises and supports workshops, seminars, exhibitions and Waste Minimisation Clubs throughout the UK and provides on-site consultancy for SMEs.

Initial contact by industry and commerce should be made to the Environment and Energy Helpline on: 0800 585794; or on the web-site at: www.envirowise.gov.uk

BIO-WISE : Links to Bio-technology for Manufacturers

The £13 Million BIO-WISE Programme launched in January 1999 promotes and supports knowledge transfer between the UK's biotechnology sector and the manufacturing and service industries. Applications of biotechnology often provide significant environmental benefit, by making processes cleaner or reducing effluent, they can also be more cost effective.  BIO-WISE aims to encourage UK industries to exploit biotechnology and realise these benefits.  BIO-WISE provides the following services:

Specialist advice to companies in the manufacturing and service sectors

A team of thirty independent Industrial Biotechnology Specialists provide free advice and visit manufacturing companies that wish to use biotechnology.

Independent advice through a telephone helpline (Tel: 0800 432100)

The BIO-WISE helpline provides up to date information and advice on the use of biotechnology, network activities and Government support schemes.  Helpline deals with 500 enquiries each month.  To date over 10 000 individuals have contacted the Helpline.

Keeps potential users informed of developments and opportunities in biotechnology

Provides details of over two hundred UK biotechnology suppliers
Has managed over 20 major events attended by more than 1700 individuals, more are planned.
Publishes technical reviews, which outline the biotechnology and where it can be used and case studies of companies that have used the biotechnology.
The BIO-WISE web site provides up to date information: www.dti.gov.uk/biowise.

Funding to Demonstrate Novel Applications of Biotechnology

Many applications of biotechnology offer great potential but haven't yet been used at full industrial scale or been assessed in a range of situations.  Demonstrator Project Competition addresses this issue, it encourages knowledge transfer to promote competitiveness across the industrial spectrum.  The Government has already pledged £450,000 towards five winning projects, collectively worth £2 million.  Projects demonstrate applications of biotechnology in textiles, furniture and chemicals sectors and in fish processing. The bio-wise website is http://www.dti.gov.uk/biowise

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR; patents, trade marks, deigns and copyright) promote the spread of knowledge to all whilst giving business and individuals protection to exploit their ideas commercially. The Patent Office continues to develop a clear and effective framework of IPR, domestically and at European and international levels, helping to stimulate innovation, to make British industry and commerce more competitive and encouraging national and international trade.

Its information and advice on intellectual property is improving and expanding daily with its website: (www.patent.gov.uk)

The Scottish Executive Enterprise

The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that manufacturing continues to play a significant role in the future of the Scottish economy, and to working with the UK Government to achieve this goal. Further details on the activities of the Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department in support of manufacturing can be found at :

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/

Following consultation through a Steering Group of business leaders and trade union representatives, the Scottish Executive published on 2 March 2000 "Created in Scotland- The Way Forward for Scottish Manufacturing in the 21st Century". This report identifies key areas where the Executive is committed to support manufacturing.  Progress on the commitments is published in a Tracker Document on the Scottish Executive’s website.

Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise

The Industrial Development Board (IDB), part of the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is responsible for attracting inward investment and encouraging growth in established companies. Our vision is to create a larger base of world class companies in Northern Ireland, both locally and externally owned, in the manufacturing and international traded services sectors. IDB works with its sister agencies, the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) and the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU)

Details of how we support companies as well as links to our sister agencies can be found at www.idbni.co.uk

The National Assembly of Wales

A "Winning Wales" the National Economic Development Strategy of the Welsh Assembly Government reinforces a commitment to ensuring that manufacturing continues to play a significant role in the future of the Welsh economy. To this end, the Assembly will endeavour to work closely with the UK government to maximise the support infrastructure, as in the case of the Regional Centres of Manufacturing Excellence initiative. Further details of the activities of the National Assembly for Wales in support of manufacturing can be found at: www.wales.gov.uk/themesbudgetandstrategic/content/neds/index.html

For further information and access to the full range of MAS offerings click here. 

New DTI Initiative to Support Applied Research and Technology Transfer for Industry

The DTI Basic Technologies for Industrial Applications (BTIA) Programme is a new umbrella initiative to encourage applied research and technology transfer to address the technological needs of industry.

The BTIA Programme will support applied research and the use of emerging technologies to improve industrial productivity and competitiveness. Projects will be industrially led and funding will be up to 50% of the total eligible costs.

Further information can be found at http://www.basictechnologies.gov.uk

Manufacturing - a Benchmark Index study

STARTS - How to improve performance is an issue that concerns every manager in every manufacturing business. Performance in this context can mean financial or non-financial performance. In fact, it is now widely accepted that the key drivers of future financial performance are non-financial.

This report uses data from Benchmark Index to highlight key issues within the manufacturing industry and helps to close the gap between better and poorer performing manufacturing businesses. (165Kb)

DTI
August 2002

index |