smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

An extra £6 million has been committed to help the 21,000 manufacturing companies based in the south-east.

The South-East England Development Agency (SEEDA) announced that the investment will be used to fund free business advice, delivered by manufacturers' organisation EEF.

Under the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) initiative, advice will focus on improving the profitability of the south-east's businesses and ensuring they remain competitive through the ongoing recession.

Pam Alexander, chief executive of SEEDA, points out that the area has the UK's most productive regional manufacturing sector, employing more than 260,000 people.

He adds: 'Despite the many challenges these businesses are facing through the recession, it is the innovative, high-value products and technologies they produce that may offer our best route into the upturn.'

SEEDA claims that over the last six years the MAS has produced over £310 million of added value through manufacturing improvements, as well as dealing with more than 20,000 enquiries from firms seeking advice.

The Confederation of British Industry recently claimed that small manufacturers face 'torrid' conditions, after 64 per cent saw the volume of new orders fall in the three months to April.

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