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Seizing the 'Moment'
In the current harsh economic climate, there can be no doubt that in order to survive, businesses have to think of ways of diversifying...
Now, for the retail trade, diversification can be as simple as selling something different. No new machining, no new raw materials, no new training - just some product familiarity.
However, for manufacturers, it is often easier said than done.
It can be difficult for a manufacturer - from both a machine and existing expertise perspective - to suddenly diversify and manufacture a different product from those they have originally set up to make!
So the answer for a manufacturer with expensive machinery and familiarity with their own product area is to consider diversification in the market-place itself.
One potential market-place open to all manufacturers in the North West is the nuclear supply chain - new build, existing and decommissioning, as well as the main suppliers to them.
"But we know nothing about uranium!"
You don't have to!
Nuclear facilities, whether existing , new build or old sites for decommissioning, and the main suppliers to them all, need widgets, valves, fencing, coat hangars, piping, pathways, sandwiches, work-wear - in fact the list is endless, there to be exploited by small and medium manufacturers in our region who are prepared to go out and get the business.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) NW is the national lead-body for SME participation in the nuclear supply chain. They are holding a free conference on the subject at the Energus campus in Workington, Cumbria on Wednesday 20th July.
Don't miss this great opportunity - please telephone the free MAS help line on 0800 093 9077 to either register for the conference or for more details on the funded help available to get you into the nuclear supply chain.
Knowsley Authors
Lesley Martin-Wright
Chief Executive, Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.
Lesley Martin-Wright is the newly-appointed chief executive of Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.
Gaynor McGrail
Director at Knowley payroll services firm i_Paye.
Gaynor McGrail is co-founder of i-Paye, which offers payroll and financial services help for contractors, freelancers and self-employed professionals. She founded the company in 2005 with her husband Shaun and last year it topped the LDP Business Hot 100 list of the region's fastest-growing businesses.
Manufacturing Authors
Tony Caldeira
Managing Director, Caldeira Cushions.
Tony Caldeira is managing director of Caldeira Cushions. The company operates manufacturing sites both in Merseyside and in China.
Edward Moss
Public Relations and Communications, Manufacturing Advisory Service.
Edward Moss, Public Relations and Communications, Manufacturing Advisory Service.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (www.mas-nw.co.uk)offers manufacturing companies practical, hands-on support in all aspects of manufacturing to help achieve improvements in productivity and competitiveness. Since 2002, MAS North West, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered in the region by The Manufacturing Institute, has helped manufacturers to generate financial returns totalling ã739 million and to safeguard 8790 jobs. The Manufacturing Institute (www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk) is an independent charity - driven by manufacturers for manufacturers. For 15 years, The Manufacturing Institute has helped transform manufacturing performance, working with over 4000 companies to gain competitive advantage from high impact skills building and productivity improvement programmes.
David Ost
North West regional director for EEF
David Ost, North West regional director for EEF.
David Ost is the North West regional director for EEF, the organisation for manufacturing, engineering and technology-based businesses, which operates a regional office in Warrington.
Property Authors
Chris Johnson
Managing Partner, Smith & Sons in Birkenhead
Chris Johnson is managing partner of Smith & Sons in Birkenhead. The firm is one of Merseyside's most prominent commercial property agencies and property auctioneers.
Andrew Owen
Head of business space, Mason Owen
Andrew Owen is head of business space at Liverpool commercial property agency, Mason Owen. The firm operates across the UK with a number of high profile clients.
Maritime Authors
Stuart Wood
Former Liverpool senior pilot interested in the maritime world
Stuart Wood, former Liverpool senior pilot, retired last June after 41 years holding his pilotâÂÂs licence. He interested in all aspects of the maritime world, principal of which is his perpetual love affair with the River Mersey.
Jim Teasdale
Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime
Jim Teasdale is chief executive of Mersey Maritime, overseeing all activities including marketing, lobbying, business development, and training and education. He was formerly chief executive of Birkenhead-based Laird Foundation, a centre of Vocational Excellence in Marine Engineering, and also represented Sea Vision UK in the North West region. Mersey Maritime lobbies for the Merseyside's maritime cluster.