£3 trillion reasons to 'go green' for West Midlands manufacturers

Manufacturers in the West Midlands are being urged to embrace the low carbon agenda and take advantage of a £3 trillion marketplace in the process.

Companies in the area can tap into a host of dedicated advice and guidance that will help them identify new market opportunities in the burgeoning “green sector”, develop new low carbon products, reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands (MAS-WM) is leading on this new package of support through its Low Carbon Programme, which will include an expanded hotline service (0845 245 0845), detailed manufacturing reviews and specific projects to ensure action plans are completed and benefits secured.

As part of the enlarged offer, there will be more advisers operating on the front line, many boasting extensive experience in energy efficiency and low carbon opportunities.

Simon Griffiths, Chief Executive of MAS-WM, commented:

“Whatever our personal beliefs about climate change and the causes of it, there is now little doubt that our planet is warming and we have to react quickly to improve a potentially serious situation.

“Manufacturers have their role to play in this and the good news is that the ‘green’ market represents a great opportunity for our companies to transfer world class processes achieved through automotive, aerospace and construction into this new arena.”

He continued: “It’s estimated to be worth £3 trillion at the moment and expected to grow to £4.5 trillion by 2015, with particular focus on nuclear energy, offshore wind generation, marine energy and naturally the move towards low carbon vehicles.

“The package we are rolling out is in line with the UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy and will ensure West Midlands businesses and workers are supported in maximising the economic opportunities and minimising the costs of the transition to a low carbon economy.”

More than 250 manufacturers in the region are expected to benefit from this increase in support with 20 advisers already in place to offer anything from instant hints and tips and online resources to providing specialist one-on-one assistance in reducing energy costs through implementing new processes.

MAS-WM will also work with Business Link, Accelerate and other industry bodies to ensure that new opportunities are embraced, with the possibility of collaborative networks being established in order to explore and develop new technologies.

Simon concluded: “The low carbon environmental goods and services sector employs about 880,000 people in the UK and this number is growing. We want the West Midlands to build on an encouraging start and ensure that it starts to benefit with long-term deals, such as the ‘milestone’ US deal recently announced by Coventry-based Modec.”