Manufacturing or engineering business? Innovative support is available!
The Essex Manufacturing Innovation and Growth (EMIG) is a support programme developed by Cambridge University's Institute for Manufacturing, for established small and medium-sized manufacturing and engineering companies. It is fully funded by Essex County Council and designed to help companies improve their competitiveness by ensuring that their business priorities are aligned with their actual practices. Mentored by experienced individuals who have worked at a senior level in the manufacturing sector the programme has already seen considerable success since its launch earlier this year.
EMIG has three steps: Firstly the company MD is asked to complete a short (30 minute) online questionnaire about how they view the priorities of the business. Secondly, the MD and their team undertake a more in-depth evaluation of these priorities and the practices that support them with an experienced manufacturing mentor. This would typically take ½ a day. The mentor would take the information gathered and put together a short and do-able action plan to respond to specific issues or develop capabilities in highlighted areas (eg. new product development). They would then visit the company again to deliver the feedback and discuss the plan. Note that the aims of the plan are a few, targetted and achievable suggestions that can really make a difference - and that do not cost lots of money to do!
If the company chooses, it can undertake the third step of the programme which is the implementation of the action plan. This may take many months to do properly, so typically provides mentoring of ½ day per month for 6-8 months depending on the needs of the company.
HOW CAN I JOIN EMIG?
Enrolling in EMIG is easy. Simply call Simon Maidment on 01245 430350 or email simon.maidment@essex.gov.uk to receive login details for the initial online assessment. A mentor will be allocated to your company, and they will contact you usually within a week, to arrange a visit.
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