The Institute for Manufacturing is cited as a positive example of intermediaries working for manufacturing in the DTI's recently published Review of the Government's Manufacturing Strategy. In the opening summary of stakeholder views on the manufacturing strategy by leading industrialist Nick Brayshaw, innovation is highlighted as crucial to the future of UK manufacturing industry. Brayshaw says his research suggests that, while larger companies are capable of forming productive links with the science base without outside intervention, SMEs and middle market manufacturers need the help of brokers or intermediaries to do this. He acknowledges the role of MAS in meeting this need in certain regions but also singles out individual organisations that are successfully acting as intermediaries, including the IfM.

Executive summary and full text of the Manufacturing Strategy and of The Manufacturing Strategy Two Years On can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing.