Manufacturing collaboration links up with WMG to deliver £2m contract boost

The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which features eight sub-contract specialists and an engineering design agency, has worked with WMG, at the University of Warwick, to complete more than 10 projects, resulting in excess of £2 million of new orders.

Chairman Tony Hague believes the ability to tap into the knowledge of leading professors and to put its staff through the latest development courses has been crucial to the group improving operational performance and bridging the skills gap.

He also pointed out that MAN member companies have accessed technology and equipment at WMG that they simply wouldn’t be able to afford to install in their own facilities and this has led to the introduction of new products, including a solderless connector and an earphone tidy.

“Universities and manufacturers aren’t always the easiest bedfellows and this means we usually miss out on some fantastic expertise and knowledge,” explained Mr Hague, who is also MD of PP Control & Automation.

“Our group is based on collaboration and we decided three years ago to extend that to bring in academic expertise - WMG stepped forward with the right approach and the right offer.”

He continued: “They get what manufacturers need and have introduced us to some fantastic specialists in innovation, electrification and composite materials, not to mention the added advantage of being able to use equipment at its state-of-the-art International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, Energy Innovation Centre and Additive Layer Manufacturing facilities.

“So far, the support we have received has generated new contracts worth in excess of £2 million and this has created 20+ jobs. There has also been a lot of softer benefits, including support with exhibitions, attending best practice events, signposting to funding and introductions to potential partners.”

Established in 2006, MAN’s nine members employ over 750 people, generate more than £70 million in sales and can offer every engineering discipline imaginable, including automation and control systems, casting, CNC machining, design and simulation, fabrication, forging, plastic injection moulding, PCB development and high volume pressings.

It currently exports to 40 different countries and, on average, invests £5 million every year on training, infrastructure, factory extensions, new technology and R&D.

Manufacturing Assembly Network www.man-group.co.uk