Day is dedicated to innovation in the workplace

Tuesday 14th November 2006 is Ideas at Work Day.

Tuesday 14th November 2006 is Ideas at Work Day and the DTI Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is holding events across the country to encourage inventors and entrepreneurs with an innovative concept to call on MAS and turn their idea into reality.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service gives UK manufacturers the support they need to improve productivity and achieve success in a competitive global economy.

From inventor to small to medium sized enterprises and even large companies, MAS provides businesses with practical help and expert advice on innovation issues and new and improved design in order to get products onto the production line.

Part of Enterprise Week 2006, Ideas at Work Day is dedicated to innovation in the workplace and MAS is calling on enterprising manufacturing businesses or anyone with a manufacturing concept to use MAS to make their ideas happen.

Inventors such as Tim Jones from Swansea and Mohamed Al Sayed from Coventry have already used MAS to help them with their creations.

Jones' Smart Slice fruit dispenser is set to revolutionise the bar industry and recently won the Gold Medal at the prestigious Salon Des Inventions, the world's largest exhibition for inventions, in Geneva.

The Smart Slice cuts and dispenses fruit in a single movement, making serving customers a smoother and faster process.

Due to the enclosed dispensing unit, the fruit is also protected from contaminants and kept fresh for much longer than is currently possible.

Jones is now in talks with a major drinks manufacturer about distribution of his invention.

With MAS help, Mohamed El Sayed has designed and developed the new Pluto "safe box" - a compact, lockable safe which can be clamped to a beach or poolside umbrella, keeping valuables secure inside when you fancy a dip in the sea or pool.

The Pluto now features in a number of beach resorts and hotel chains in the Mediterranean and global interest is increasing daily.

Both Jones and El Sayed contacted MAS to help them identify toolmakers and moulders in order to take their prototypes through the next manufacturing stages.

Tony Boylan, MAS National Network Manager, said: "On November 14th, events across the country will aim to inspire the next generation of engineers and manufacturers to make their ideas happen".

"This is where MAS can help".

"We have a network of down-to-earth and dynamic advisors that are helping both established and budding manufacturers to improve and develop their products and processes in order to become more enterprising and competitive".

"More importantly, most of what we do is completely free so all you need to do is give us a call".

As part of its work turning bright ideas into commercial success, MAS is also launching a new initiative to support companies through the fundamental phases of new product development.

The Product Innovation Consortium pilot scheme will help West Midlands manufacturers take a more sustainable and innovative approach to product development and is being supported by GBP 500,000 of funding from Advantage West Midlands.

Kevin Steele, Chief Executive of Enterprise Insight that runs the Make Your Mark campaign, said: "Enterprise Week is about inspiring young people to turn their ideas into reality".

"In the future their passport to success will be a sense of adventure".

"The danger is not that they aim to high and fail, but that they aim too low and succeed".

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