Evolution of MAN continues with new contract haul
A unique approach to delivering global manufacturing solutions is reaping dividends for ten world-leading engineering companies in the Midlands.
MAN, which offers technical excellence in every aspect of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering processes, is celebrating its fifth birthday in style by announcing a recent contract haul in the automotive, medical and white goods sectors.
It takes the Group’s total sales past the £10m mark and has helped protect and create in excess of 100 jobs in the manufacturing base, most of which has been achieved against a major downturn in the industry.
Backed by this recent success, MAN is also set to introduce the evolution of a new identity for the group, with a new brand, promotional material and website set to be launched at Subcon 2010 (8th-10th June).
“There is nothing like MAN anywhere in the world and this is giving us a great competitive advantage over other domestic and international rivals,” explained David Spears, Chairman of the Group and Managing Director of founding member Brandauer.
“We have ten complementary manufacturers working together to offer our customers unparalleled access to technical services, engineering best practice and supply chain management. There is no competition, all our members share similar values and we all have one common aim – to make the West Midlands the centre of manufacturing excellence.”
He continued: “At present we can offer clients anything from high volume precision pressing, tools and aluminium die casting to chemical etchings, electronic assembly and injection moulding.
“The member best suited to the enquiry is the dedicated lead and the customer can use just one part of the service or utilise all of the different capabilities we possess.”
Originally established as part of an Advantage West Midlands and Accelerate-backed automotive initiative, MAN has evolved into a self-sustainable group that boasts a combined company turnover of £60m and employs 600 people.
The five original members – Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, FW Cables and Westley Engineering – have been joined by Advanced Chemical Etchings, Excalibur Engineering, PP Electrical Systems, Note UK and Wrekin Circuits.
Its customers are equally as diverse and contracts have been completed in automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical and white goods, with a concerted effort currently being made to break into rail and low carbon technologies.
David continued: “When it first started, potential clients were a little sceptical as nothing like this had been done before, but slowly and surely we kept knocking at doors and the breakthrough happened.
“Now – some five years on – we have a proven track record of successful projects and global OEMs and Tier 1s are looking to us as a viable way of improving engineering design, vendor rationalisation, inventory reductions, speed to market and significant cost savings.
“The impetus is there and we’re showing everyone what can be achieved by working together and pooling resources.”
MAN has decided to use its 5th birthday as the perfect opportunity to launch its new brand identity that utilises ‘UK’ colours and carries the strap line ‘Manufacturing Excellence’.
The design covers all marketing collateral and the recently launched website, which features a detailed insight into all ten members and an easy to fill-in enquiry forum for potential new work.
Chris Brown, Head of Marketing at MAN and owner of Excalibur Engineering, believes the time is right to attack the marketplace.
“The evolution of the brand reflects where we have come as an organisation and epitomises our core values of being a modern, world class manufacturing Group capable of taking on any job in the world.
“It will be officially unveiled at Subcon 2010 at the NEC and will govern all of our marketing activities going forward, including the Farnborough Air Show in July.”
In addition to the bottom line benefits of increased sales and job retention, the MAN Group has also reported softer improvements that have come from sharing expertise, learning from other members and best practice tours.
This has already resulted in major productivity gains, cost reductions through problem solving and personal development opportunities for 100s of workers.
David concluded: “In an ever demanding global marketplace, the need for innovation from within a given supply chain has never been more critical and this is exactly what we have been developing.
“Through MAN we are reinstalling the Midlands as a global leader in manufacturing excellence.”
MAN will be on stand D8 at Subcon 2010. For further information visit www.midlandsassembley.net or contact 0845 034 6676.
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Evolution of MAN: (l-r back) Ian Wiles (ACE), Sam Osman (Excalibur Engineering), Rowan Crozier, David Spears (both Brandauer), Maurice Cassidy and Justin Anstey (both Barkley Plastics).
(l-r middle) Alan Rollason (ACE), Gerry Dunne (Westley Engineering) and Tony Sartorius (Alucast).
(l-r front) Tony Hague (PP Electrical Systems), Andy Morris (Wrekin Circuits) and Steve Gaston (FW Cables)
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