2010

Manufacturers in the North West have welcomed the government’s decision to invest £50m into the Manufacturing Advisory Service and launch a review into the future of advanced manufacturing.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) NW, which has supported more than 4,000 manufacturing businesses since its launch in 2002, will receive the funding over three years.

It follows recognition by business minister Mark Prisk, who said MAS was “a highly valued advice service to industry”.

Adam Buckley, head of programmes at MAS-NW, said: “We are obviously delighted that the government has confirmed its continued support and commitment to MAS.

“The feedback that we receive from the thousands of firms we help each year in the North West region tells us that the work we do has a direct impact on the profitability and efficiency of their business. We can now focus on continuing and evolving that support as part of the UK’s investment in its strong manufacturing base.” Read More »

A British Chambers of Commerce report reveals:

• a third of manufacturers want improved support from the Government to help them export
• a quarter of UK manufacturing companies do not trade overseas
• companies identify export controls as the top barrier to doing business abroad

Read More »

What an accomplishment to secure Highly Commended through the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply!

Chamber Business Training is delighted to achieve this especially as the client and student feedback was exceptional.  Client satisfaction is very important to us and so that makes the acheivement even more rewarding.

If you or your organisation want to make a significant impact on your bottom line then the CIPS Learning Ladder could make a real difference to your company.

This could be one of the best decisions for your career in 2011 – to learn more please join Chamber Business Training on 25 January 2011 at a CIPS Breakfast Taster.

To reserve your place contact the Training Team on 01254 356400 or visit www.chamberbusinesstraining.co.uk

Pennine Lancashire is renowned for its engineering, manufacturing, and increasingly the attractiveness of its countryside.  However, one of its other great assets – its food – is scarcely recognised within the area, let alone by the outside world.  We’d like to see that change and consider it a lost economic opportunity.

Everyone has heard of Lancashire in a food context, if only through the eponymous Lancashire Hotpot and Lancashire Cheese (divided between the crumblies and the creamies).  

However,  think a little more carefully and we have some of the country’s finest chefs and chefesses in our midst.  Not only are many of our restaurants and retailers of the highest quality, but so are many of our food producers……and the beers are to die for.

Read More »

A series of new principles that the Government will use when introducing European measures into UK law was announced by Vince Cable today.

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) these principles will end so called “gold-plating” (an elaboration of a European directive) so that British businesses are not put at a disadvantage relative to their European competitors.

Commenting, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Business will welcome the coalition’s efforts to improve the quality of legislation and end the so called ‘gold-plating’ of European directives.  Favouring the ‘copy out’* of European legal texts could certainly help to reduce unnecessary complication by government departments.

“However,  government officials and ministers will have to oversee a real culture change in Whitehall to make these recommendations a reality and lighten the load on British business.”

*‘Copy out’ is the direct copying of the text of a directive without amendment