‘Made in the South West’ - a panel debate

Panellists included: Janis Sinton, Managing Director, TasteTech, a specialist manufacturer of control release flavourings and ingredients, which has thrived over the last few years with support from MAS; Peter Chivers, Chief Executive, National Composites Centre, Julian Alexander, Regional Director, Santander; Louise Workman, Partner, Ashfords; and Simon Howes, Area Director (MAS).

On Export

Janis Sinton, Managing Director, TasteTech, inspired the audience by outlining how her medium sized business has enjoyed strong growth through its export performance. The debate focused on the importance for regional businesses to increase their overseas sales, but identified the challenges faced by the current crisis within the Eurozone, which is currently such a dominant trading area for the UK. The importance of the emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets was discussed.

On Innovation

Peter Chivers from the National Composites Centre said that companies cannot ‘save their way into prosperity’ and that to continue to thrive they must evolve new and existing products and manufacturing technologies. Simon Howes also explained how MAS supports the strategic management of businesses with the ambition and ability to grow. At the forefront of this support will be a focus on innovation through product design and development.

On Academia

Simon highlighted how academia needs to support the new manufacturing community, comprising small and medium businesses. The importance of helping meet the very specific technical needs of SMEs was emphasised. This means understanding the timescales and budgets that constrain these manufacturing businesses.