Ton up in the West Midlands

Rapra Technology has successfully completed its 100th piece of work for the British Government's Manufacturing Advisory Service West Midlands (MAS-WM).

Rapra Technology has successfully completed its 100th piece of work for the British Government's Manufacturing Advisory Service West Midlands (MAS-WM).

The new locally devolved Government initiative has been working beyond best expectations, according to Martin Woodley, Manager Regional Affairs at Rapra Technology.

And the speed at which the local industry has taken to MAS-WM schemes "has surprised us and even our West Midlands partners in West Bromwich", he says.

"One hundred job sheets over the past six months shows that the local market is not short of ideas, ambition and enthusiasm".

Rapra Technology's MAS-WM portfolio has not been focused exclusively on plastics - more the opposite.

"Most of our West Midlands MAS-WM clients are not in our traditional sector of plastics or rubber manufacturing, but are seeking to get into it in some way; through materials development or substitution.

This makes for challenging and creative work for our consultants; and it has succeeded in developing the Rapra Technology skills base and portfolio", says Woodley.

For companies who need an injection of some technology expertise, the regional MAS structure has hit the right note and comes with the right structure.

"It's about local MAS facilitators and advisors - nearly always with a business background themselves - sharing a common language and culture with the clients on the ground", says Woodley.

Through Rapra Technology MAS-WM funding has helped develop a plethora of manufacturing interests, including: Moulding recycling bins for truck use; new materials for the door hardware sector; materials selection and processing for an underwater bicycle; plastics food packaging disposal routes; bullet proof vest design and development; plastics substitution for surgical instruments; new tool and moulding assistance for coat hanger production; materials and moulding advice for sink plinths and bathroom fittings; biocide materials testing and validation; metal packaging materials substitution with plastics.

MAS-WM Chief Executive David Wright enthused: "We have built on project successes by working closely with associates such as Rapra whose expertise has been a huge asset.

Essentially this demonstrates that manufacturers have everything to gain from taking advantage of what we have to offer.

We're not yet at the end of our first operational year and we have already added an average value of over GBP 50,000 to the businesses we have engaged with".

Wright continued: "The broad knowledge base of our in house and associate partners means no problem is too large.

If you make something and want it made better, we can help".

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