MAN sees major sales boost and investment

A manufacturing collective focusing on bringing work back to the UK has enjoyed a major sales boost.

The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which consists of six sub-contract manufacturers, an electric motor consultancy and a specialist engineering design agency, has seen a £20m increase in orders, with several high-profile export contracts secured in the EU, Middle East, and Far East.

Customers from across automotive, aerospace, construction, electrification, and renewables have backed British innovation and quality and this has led to more than 50 new jobs being created across member companies.

These are being reinforced by a £4.5m investment drive in new capital equipment, automation, MRP systems and a Precision Tooling Academy to train the toolmakers of the future.

“Despite really difficult trading conditions and high inflationary pressures, UK manufacturing has continued to defy the odds, and this is reflected in the performance of the Manufacturing Assembly Network,” explained Tony Sartorius, chairman of Alucast, a founding member of MAN.

“A £20m boost in sales is some achievement and we believe this highlights a change in purchasing attitudes where customers are now looking for more strategic partnerships and suppliers who can add value throughout the entire process. We’re also seeing lots of new opportunities in electrification and light weighting.”

He continued: “One of the biggest challenges the group is having is finding the right people. We’ve created over 50 jobs in the last twelve months, but still have lots of positions available.”

The Manufacturing Assembly Network works together to encourage collaboration, best practice sharing and to promote UK manufacturing.

It is made up of Alucast, Brandauer, FluxSys, Grove Design, James Lister & Sons, KimberMills International, Nemco and PP Control & Automation.

Collectively, the group boasts £100m+ annual sales, employs more than 900 people and exports products to over 50 countries from 17 factories.

In May last year, responding to the Government’s inconsistent strategic vision for industry it delivered its own ‘MANifesto’, a blueprint for making the country globally competitive.

Bosses highlighted four key pillars of People, International Trade, Sustainability & Net Zero and Investment as being key to the future growth of UK manufacturing.

MAN also plans to host its largest ever Design & Make Challenge this year, a STEM-focused competition aiming to inspire Year 10 and Year 11 students to consider a career in engineering and manufacturing.

Manufacturing Assembly Network

www.man-group.co.uk