The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) provides manufacturing companies, whatever their size, with practical support on all aspects of manufacturing and is designed to enhance competitiveness to improve a company’s bottom line.  The Service provides direct access to manufacturing experts with a proven track record including subsidised consultancy assistance where it is needed to SME clients. MAS can be contacted on 0845 658 9600, or www.mas.bis.gov.uk/services.

MAS is working closely with the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and is assisting with the delivery of their Fit4Nuclear programme which is designed to benchmark companies on their ability to supply the nuclear market, whether in the Steam Supply System, Wider Nuclear Island or Balance of Plant.  The programme is designed to help companies make the right adjustments where necessary to realise their commercial opportunities within nuclear supply chains of the rapidly expanding global civil nuclear market for new build, maintenance and decommissioning. MAS, with the Nuclear AMRC  will provide specialist market information and product development advice to covering opportunities that represent almost every manufacturing discipline.

Experienced industry practitioners will carry out an assessment of your business processes that will highlight areas of opportunity or actions that you can take to improve operational performance. SMEs can then benefit from subsidy on consultancy support where your local MAS region will help you to compete effectively with international competitors to secure elements of the supply chain.

How can MAS help? 

1. Free advice line: 0845 658 9600
2. Free manufacturing review*
3. Nuclear supply chain opportunities events
4. Subsidised consultancy support including: 
      - Guidance on how to get into the nuclear supply chain
      - Advice on quality and standards requirements
      - Advice on skills and health and safety requirements
      - Assistance with tendering
5.Signposting to other sources of support and funding

* Eligibility Criteria – based on SME definition: companies with up to 250 employees and / or up to €50m turnover. No more than 25% of the company should be owned by a group with more than 250 employees and / or €50m.  

The Nuclear AMRC, established by Government in 2009 is run by industry and owned and operated by the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester. The Centre is designed to be a focal point for the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry working with companies to:

1. Get to Market in new build, maintenance and decommissioning
2. Where required grow capability and competitiveness
3. Drive constant innovation in manufacturing processes and products to ensure global advantage

The Nuclear AMRC provides a range of products, chief amongst these is the Fit4Nuclear Product. 

The Fit For Nuclear (F4N) product helps companies measure their current operations against the standards required by the global nuclear industry for new build and decommissioning.  F4N is delivered by the Nuclear AMRC with the Manufacturing Advisory Service in partnership with our top-tier industrial partners.

F4N is the first step in a process to help your company better understand the requirements and challenges of the global nuclear energy market.

For more information on F4N and the other Nuclear AMRC products, please call 0114 222 9900 or visit http://www.namrc.co.uk/

Britain’s Energy Coast is harnessing the power of the environment and the world-class skills base in Cumbria to become a major generator of, and centre of excellence in, low carbon and renewable energy.

A collective of public and private sector partners, Britain’s Energy Coast is supporting Britain’s response to the pressing challenges of climate change and energy security, whilst also aiming to transform the local Cumbrian economies at the same time.

The initiative includes the construction of at least one new nuclear power station along with improvements to the electricity transmission network, infrastructure, research and development, education, skills and enterprise as well as the development of other renewable and low carbon energy sources. Find out more at  www.britainsenergycoast.com

West Cumbria Development Agency (WCDA) was established in 1988 to help regenerate the local. Its central aim is to help create jobs in the Boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland, which together form West Cumbria. This job creation is achieved by helping new businesses start and grow, by assisting local companies to expand and by facilitating inward investment into the area.

Most services are provided free of charge, via funding provided by West Cumbria Development Fund. Find out more at www.wcda.co.uk.

The Energy Opportunities Supply Chain Project (EOSCP) is a joint project between the West Cumbria Development Agency (WCDA) and Britain's Energy Coast. Comprising of a number of business development and support organisations including MAS, TWI, Envirolink, the Energy Coast Business Cluster, UCLAN and Sellafield Ltd; the project offers a range of free and specially tailored business services, including:

• Meet The Buyer events on nuclear decommissioning opportunities and also for the renewable and nuclear new build sectors.
• Business consultancy on tendering, finance, management, quality, HR, ITC and marketing
• Specialist technical help from partners including TWI, Manufacturing Advisory Service, UClan and Envirolink
• Energy Opportunities Portal at http://www.eoscp.co.uk/, for information on tendering, events, project new, best practice and partner links.

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic, enterprise, innovation and investment agency with the ultimate goal to stimulate sustainable growth of Scotland’s economy.

Scottish Enterprise work in partnership with universities, colleges, local authorities and other public sector bodies to achieve these goals and to maximise our contribution to the Government’s Economic Strategy. Scottish Enterprise is mainly funded by the Scottish Government, although money is raised as part of the budget from other sources, such as property rental and disposal of assets. Find out more at www.scottish-enterprise.com.

The East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) is the industry association for energy in the East of England, representing over 350 members across the supply chain. They are a non-profit, business-led group committed to the sustained development of the energy sector in the East of England and the continued success of their members.

EEEGR members operate throughout the energy sectors from oil, gas, wind, wave & tidal, bio-energy, and nuclear through to decommissioning, carbon capture & storage (CCS), distribution and transmission and conventional generation. EEEGR is the catalyst for the energy industry unites businesses from the supply chain with a common cause and combined voice. Find out more at www.eeegr.com.

Into Somerset is the inward investment organisation for Somerset. It’s helpful, resourceful and independent team offers a bespoke service, providing unbiased advice and support for entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes that are considering moving all or part of their business to Somerset. Into Somerset is working closely with EDF Energy to develop a robust local supply chain that will support the multi-billion pound investment in Hinkley Point. Through Into Somerset, companies that wish to move to the area from elsewhere in the UK or overseas can benefit from advice and assistance.

Somerset has early mover status for  nuclear new build in the UK and benefits from an existing nuclear supply chain that encompasses generations of expertise. This is supported by a dynamic advanced engineering industry, which boasts a large number of world-leading companies, ensuring that an established network of professional expertise and technical know-how is readily available.

By utilising strong links with both the public and private sectors throughout the region, Into Somerset will help with any issue, ensuring that your transition into Somerset is as smooth as possible. More information can be found at www.intosomerset.co.uk.