The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Economic Growth Solutions (EGS), has helped SME manufacturers in the East Midlands to create 267 jobs in the last eighteen months. An additional 155 positions are expected to be created once the ongoing projects are completed.
UK manufacturing has just posted its ninth consecutive month of growth and East Midlands SMEs are at the forefront of leading this expansion, said Martin Coats, managing director of EGS.
Across the UK, more than 2000 companies have now been assisted and weâve created more than 1000 new jobsâ¦those are apprentices, operatives, experienced engineers, R&D specialists. The impact has been across the UK and weâve helped firms as far North as York, as far South as Kent, as far West as Hereford and as far east as Lincoln, he continued.
By the end of January, £670,000 of grant contributions have been made, with money in place to support hundreds more between now and March 2019. The Programme has helped manufacturers to grow and improve by providing access to specialist assistance and the opportunity to apply for an average grant of £1,400 to a maximum of £3,500.This support can be used for improvement projects, such as leadership and management, lean manufacturing, quality systems, R&D, supply chain development and productivity and capacity.
For example, Nick Oakland, managing director at JC Metalworks, has secured a £1 million increase in business through the Manufacturing Growth Programme: MGP was really easy to access and it has introduced us to some very good people. It has also opened our eyes to the other support that is out there and we are already embarking on some additional initiatives to support the development of our website and branding. Iâd recommend other companies get involved. The grant, and more importantly the knowledge it brings, can make a major difference to your business.
