Manchester launches manufacturing strategy
2 Mar 2015
Advanced materials, chemicals and food & drink processing are all set to play a role in a strategy launched today to transform Greater Manchester manufacturing hub.
A six-point plan has been launched by the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP), which aims to put manufacturing at the heart of the city’s plans for economic growth.
GM LEP aims to capitalise on Manchester’s position as Europe’s number one city for materials research resources, thanks to the University of Manchester’s development of graphene.
“In light of recent announcements from Government about devolving powers to our combined authority, this is undoubtedly an exciting time to be part of the industry
GM LEP chairman Mike Blackburn
Alongside advanced materials, The Greater Manchester Manufacturing Strategy 2015 identifies the city’s key sector strengths as chemical, food and drink, and textiles (see PDF link above).
The report also identifies the potential for growth through the nuclear industry supply chain in the wider North West England region, with the city close to major facilities in Lancashire and Cumbria.
The strategy’s six key recommendations to encourage manufacturing growth include establishing a private-sector led Manufacturing Leadership Network, which would serve as a voice for Greater Manchester’s manufacturing base.
It is intended that the network would draw attention to current issues and also complement the work of existing national and regional bodies, such as the EEF.
Another recommendation of the strategy is to establish better collaboration in manufacturing between Greater Manchester skills training facilities, incorporating key private-sector participants and giving skills providers access to the latest manufacturing technologies.
This is already underway through the work of Engineering Futures, a Greater Manchester initiative that launched last summer and is supported by the Skills Company, Trafford College and Tameside College.
“The manufacturing sector presents a wealth of opportunity for Greater Manchester, and in light of recent announcements from Government about devolving powers to our combined authority, this is undoubtedly an exciting time to be part of the industry,” said GM LEP chairman Mike Blackburn.
“However, there are significant challenges across the sector and we’re keen that our manufacturing base has the appropriate tools to tackle these and develop its trade over the long-term. We’re confident that, through the support of industry, we’ve identified the immediate core needs, and we intend the strategy to evolve as its six recommendations are brought to life.”
