The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP) supports SME Manufacturers to make improvements by identifying, understanding and removing their barriers to growth

Support tailored to your business:

• A dedicated, experienced, Manufacturing Growth Manager to provide on-going support
• A comprehensive business diagnostic tool, GROWTHmapper for manufacturers
• Identify opportunities and create plans for growth and improvement
• Work with the best external experts to implement those plans
• Using an average 35% of the cost of implementing an improvement project
• Connect to wider support to maximise opportunities for growth

What MGP means for Manufacturing SMEs

• If you are an SME manufacturer, the Manufacturing Growth programme provides many advantages for you, including:
  An independent business review to identify opportunities for business improvement and growth
• A diagnostic tool specifically designed to help benchmark your business against internal aspiration and goals
• A detailed action plan guiding you through the process of improving your business
• On-going business support with a trusted and experienced Manufacturing Growth Manager
• Access to grants to co-fund your improvement project
• Guidance to access other support mechanisms and manufacturing themed workshops available from Summer 2019

How you can benefit

• By joining the Manufacturing Support Programme, you can benefit from:
  Insight into the risks, issues, gaps and opportunities for your business, helping you better plan for the future
• Understanding of what needs to be done to make improvements
• Work with new expertise to make bring about real development
• Trusted relationship with an experienced MGM
• Reduced cost, helping you make the changes you need sooner

Percentage of project cost

33.4% grant contribution. Grant values are specific to each business application. Maximum project value of £10,000 with a minimum grant value of £1,000. Capital grants are available and will be considered for exceptional cases (subject to panel approval).

Eligibility criteria

• To apply you must be:
  An SME as defined by the EU definition. This means your company or group of companies must have:
  - Fewer than 250 employees
  - A turnover less than or equal to €50 million OR
  - A balance sheet total less than or equal to €43 million
•  A manufacturer, defined as:
  “A business that engages in any economic activity directly related to a product or production process they have researched, designed or produced, or otherwise hold core intellectual property in.

If you are unsure if you meet this definition, please get in touch with your local MGM.

Businesses operating mainly in the following sectors are unfortunately not eligible:

• Fishery and aquaculture
• Primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products
• Coal, steel and shipbuilding
• Synthetic fibres

Suitability

To be suitable for the Manufacturing Growth Programme you must be able to demonstrate an intention to grow/improve. This may be through the creation of increased turnover, increased jobs, improved productivity and/or the introduction of a new product, service or process.

Delivery targets/outcome required

Grant supported improvement projects must be completed, paid and claimed for within 4 months of grant confirmation.

SME beneficiaries are at liberty to select any consultant/coach of their choice provided they can evidence adherence to EU procurement rules requiring them to invite a quotation for the work and justify value for money in their selection.

Who provides the grant?

Economic Growth Solutions, part of Oxford Innovation Services

Funding Stream: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
End date: March 2023
Project Leads & Partners: West Midlands Consortium
Website:  www.manufacturinggrowthprogramme.co.uk
Contact: Manufacturing Growth Manager, Adrian Waters | 07790 358557 | adrian.waters@egs.live