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Introducing: The Manufacturing Co-operative
Cranfield University has set up a co-operative, regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), to help UK-based SMEs in the manufacturing sector to collaborate in order to bid into OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and Tier 1 and win business. The vision is to set up regional and market- specific clusters made up of complementary manufacturing SMEs to provide a vertically- integrated offering to OEMs.
The Manufacturing Co-operative will establish a cluster within the Solent region which will match the specialist skills of small manufacturing businesses based in the area with the needs of OEMs to deliver innovative supply chain solutions.
In addition to improved business opportunities, members will benefit from increased marketing exposure, and there will be a regular forum where members can attend in person or via a tele-presence link. The purpose of this is to
encourage networking within the Co-operative and where possible use and maintain the skills base within the Solent region.
There will be a regular newsletter to which members can contribute case studies and introductions to their capabilities. This information will also be published on the Manufacturing Co-operative website to further increase member visibility both within the region and nationally.
Supported by Cranfield University, The Manufacturing Co-operative members will have support in accessing Cranfield‘s specialist facilities and expertise which include through- life engineering services, precision engineering composites, guidance and navigation systems, motorsport and wind tunnels.
They will also have support in accessing the Operational Excellence Institute‘s state-of-the- art learning studio, which features telepresence
and virtual/augmented reality labs. The Manufacturing Co-operative will provide support, project management and consultancy.
“We are looking for members based in the general Solent area whose businesses are in or support manufacturing,“ says CEO Matthew Caffrey. “We aim to support OEMs regionally and nationally through the Solent co-operative cluster. What is important is the willingness to work collaboratively with other member organisations to grow your business.“
To become a member, contact Caffrey on the details below or access and complete the membership application online.
Details: Matthew Caffrey 01234-754058 07580-555644
www.manufacturing.coop www.cranfield.ac.uk
Manufacturers buck the trend as growth forecast halved
A global list of economic woes – including uncertainty in Europe, China and Greece – is casting a shadow over UK manufacturing. However, manufacturers in the South East appear to be riding out the storm and are so far looking relatively unscathed, according to the latest Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey from EEF, the manufacturers‘ organisation, and DLA Piper, the global law firm.
A ‘rollercoaster of risks‘ from the rest of the world has led to a deterioration in all of UK manufacturing‘s key indicators and most notably in output and orders, where falling demand at home and abroad is taking its toll. The balance of manufacturers reporting output growth has dropped to its lowest level since Q4 2009 and, at -2%, contrasts sharply with manufacturers‘ expectations.
However, in the South East manufacturers are seeing a substantially better picture. Although Q3 output hasn‘t quite matched up to their expectations, it is still strongly in positive territory with a net 42% of firms seeing an increase. This is far higher than anywhere else in the UK and the good news continues into the three months ahead, with a balance of 29% of the region‘s manufacturers expecting output to increase in Q4.
Across the UK, export orders in particular have suffered, edging down again to hit a six-year low in response to continued problems in Europe over the summer and the slowdown in emerging markets. But here again, the South East‘s manufacturers have a more positive story
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to tell. On balance, 38% have seen an increase in total orders over the past three months, matched by those predicting the same for Q4 (38%).
Manufacturers‘ employment intentions in the region are also holding up, both in Q3 and looking forward to Q4. In fact, a very healthy balance of 50% of firms expect to be on the recruitment trail during the final quarter of the year.
The good news continues through to investment, with a balance of 22% of the region‘s manufacturers expecting investment
to increase over the next 12 months. This is in sharp contrast to the national picture where manufacturers‘ investment intentions are only just hanging onto positive ground.
Jim Davison, south of England region director at EEF, said: “While UK data has continued to point to solid growth, manufacturers – including many from this region – are having to contend with a rollercoaster of risks from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, in many areas the white-knuckle ride is starting to take its toll, although firms in the South East appear to be going largely unscathed.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2015
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