- 8th February 2013
- Exhibitor Announcements, Manufacturing, News, Southern
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- South2013
The ascent of MAN continues at Southern Manufacturing 2013
A unique manufacturing collaboration is heading for Southern Manufacturing next week, where it will announce a major expansion drive that could secure £7.5m of new work and create in excess of 150 jobs. The Midlands Assembly Network – a nine-strong collective of world class manufacturing businesses – believes 2013 will be a year of expansion as new projects come online in the automotive, electronics and renewables sectors.
One of the brightest success stories in UK manufacturing of the last few years, the group anticipates growth to come from both domestic and overseas customers. Significant investment, including the launch of a new website (www.man-group.co.uk) is set to support the concerted marketing drive.
Tony Hague, Chairman and MD of PP Electrical Systems, commented, “With what we’ve got planned, I would expect us to add £7.5m of sales in 2013 and this should lead to nearly 150 jobs – some of whom will be apprentices. It’s important we create that pipeline of future engineers.
“We’ll also be looking to invest over £2m to aid this expansion. This will involve new machinery, training programmes and the continued introduction of lean processes.”
The group has also appointed a dedicated Business Development Manager, Steve Gaston, to go out and sell ‘the MAN difference’ and he will be available to chat to visitors to Southern Manufacturing on Stand 50, Hall 5. Steve, who started his career as a commercial Apprentice at Jaguar in 1969, has been involved in manufacturing for more than 40 years and with the Group since it first started.
“Traditionally, most of our leads have come through existing relationships or attending events – we’ve never had a dedicated resource and strategic approach to generating sales before”, commented Steve.
“We’ve already identified the first three sectors we’re going after and we have a number of new clients visits already in the diary. 2013 is going to be an exciting year.
“Southern Manufacturing delivered lots of leads and actual contracts for the MAN Group last year and we’re looking for similar results this time around.”
First established in 2006, the Midlands Assembly Network is made up of nine members including Advanced Chemical Etching, Alucast, Brandauer, Barkley Plastics, FW Cables, Mec-Com, PP Electrical Systems, SMT Developments and Westley Engineering. Each company offers a different engineering solution, ranging from high volume precision pressings, electrical control systems and tooling to PCB assembly, wire harnesses, specialist fabrication and injection moulding. Together, they boast ten world class manufacturing facilities, employ nearly 550 highly skilled professionals and hold industry quality accreditations, such as TS16949, AS9100, UL508 and SC21.
The MAN Group is one stand not to miss at Southern Manufacturing 2013. Find out more at www.man-group.co.uk
