"These are very difficult times for small and medium sized businesses and we are determined to make sure that we can provide as much support as we can in Essex."

Manufacturing companies in Essex are be offered extra support from this month as the first of the 10 proposals launched by Essex County Council in December to help the county through the economic downturn gets underway.

The Essex Manufacturing Innovation and Growth Programme (EMIG) was announced by Lord Hanningfield in December as one of 10 key proposals to assist Essex through the economic downturn, the EMIG will support up to 150 Essex advanced manufacturing companies over the next three years.

Delivered by Essex County Council as a joint innovation project with the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing, the EMIG will support existing small and medium-size manufacturing firms to develop and grow their businesses by helping them focus resources on the right things, including:

• Improving their business strategy
• Developing the capabilities needed to support the business strategy
• Bringing new products to market

Leader of Essex County Council Lord Hanningfield said: "These are very difficult times for small and medium sized businesses and we are determined to make sure that we can provide as much support as we can in Essex. The raft of measures and proposals I announced in December outlined what we planned to do to help residents and businesses in these tough times. I am particularly pleased to see this one get off the ground so quickly.

It is important for a county to have businesses that are based in manufacturing, and I want to do all I can to help the ones we have in Essex to survive and prosper.

The businesses that are involved in this programme will see many benefits including improved economic performance and competitiveness, with increased revenues, margins and employment. This will have a knock on effect by adding to the county’s wealth and employment levels, which is very important in the present economic climate."

Dr Derek Ford of the IFM said:

"This programme provides further opportunities for the Institute for Manufacturing to apply the practical tools and techniques it has developed over many years working with small and medium sized manufacturers. The partnership builds on earlier projects we have undertaken with Essex County Council, helping companies to develop their capabilities and become more competitive – a particular challenge in the current harsh economic climate."

Companies that would like further information on any of the EMIG should contact Amy Evans, ExDRA on 01245 702435 or email amy.evans@exdra.co.uk

Media contact: Michael Page, 01245 438418

For information on the IfM or IfM ECS please contact Clare Gilmour, Communications Manager, Institute for Manufacturing.
Tel: 01223 748261 (direct) or email: clare.gilmour@eng.cam.ac.uk