Manufacturing Growth Programme has expertise to deliver

 

The Manufacturing Institute’s £2.4m Growth Programme received a recent boost when a team of senior business figures were appointed to lead it.

 

With names like Mike Innes (former MD of Money Controls), Nigel Blenkinsop (Jaguar Land Rover), Frank Hayden (former group MD of Rolls-Royce), Vanda Murrary (Manchester Airport Group), Matthew Kimpton-Smith (group MD of Cygnet Group) and Jim Sumner (former chief executive of Optare Group) on the panel, SMEs using the programme certainly have something to aspire to.

 

The scheme aims to help North West manufacturing SMEs find and develop growth opportunities in their businesses. It will develop the skills of 900 manufacturers through leadership and management masterclasses and company-specific coaching.

 

I’m personally very pleased with this focus on coaching and leadership development. Too often, business support schemes throw money at problems but lack the expertise to deliver tangible benefits.

 

In a sector that is driving economic recovery, many of our manufacturing clients are telling us that they are hungry for growth. They are developing growth strategies, looking for new export markets, improving processes and researching new products.

 

We have been advising manufacturing clients in all of these areas. We know manufacturing SMEs are craving this advice and that’s why the Growth Programme, and the opportunity to hear from people who have been there and done it has to be seen as a good thing.

 

The Growth Programme’s masterclasses are designed to help manufacturing businesses:

 

– Improve productivity and profitability through customer focussed processes

 

– Pinpoint new market opportunities

 

– Create and drive a clear and compelling vision for your business

 

– Engage and lead your team to deliver your growth plan

 

– Increase staff motivation, teamwork and morale and reduce staff turnover

 

– Introduce quicker ways to improve products, services and processes

 

The Growth Programme has been made possible through investment by the Manufacturing Institute alongside cash from the European Regional Development Fund.

 

To find out more, call The Manufacturing Institute on 0161 8752525 or visit

 

www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk/growth

 

Ginni Cooper is head of the manufacturing team at Moore and Smalley