Collaboration promises streamlined supply chain

Posted on 11 May 2015 by Victoria Fitzgerald

The Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), which features eight sub-contract manufacturers, a design agency and academic partner Warwick Manufacturing Group, is offering customers a single point of contact for their engineering requirements at Subcon 2015.

The collaboration will be the first of its kind and offers a new way of streamlining the supply chain.

Working across 12 factories, the collective will showcase its total manufacturing solution, from initial prototyping, fabrication and precision machining to chemical etching, injection moulding and PCB development.

Clients can access the expertise of one, two, three or all member firms to remove costs, reduce lead times and deliver world class complex parts.

MAN Subcon 14 (L2)1
Steve Gaston and Gary Marriot, both from MAN Group, at Subcon 2014.

Chairman, Tony Hague said: “In the last year, MAN has secured over £9m of new business across automotive, aerospace, offshore wind, rail and renewables.

“Despite the differences in sectors, customers have the same goal in mind…to find a new way of managing their supply chains and finding answers to difficult problems. This is something we have a proven track record in.

“All of the nine companies share the same belief in world class manufacturing and none of us compete, meaning we work together very well. Better still we have developed a new partnership with Warwick Manufacturing Group, giving us unique access to new technology and R&D that few of our rivals can match.”

The MAN line-up consists of Advanced Chemical Etching, Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, Grove Design, Mec Com, Muller Holdings, PP Electrical Systems and SMT Developments.

Together they employ more than 700 employers (20 of whom are apprentices), annual sales of £70m and quality accreditations including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SC21, TS16949 and UL508A.

In the last year alone, it has invested more than £10m into state-of-the-art automation, new technology and the latest training programmes.

Hague concluded: “Subcon is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the true MAN effect in action. Come and see how we can help you on Stand S442.”

The latest addition to the MAN offer is a dedicated marketing and PR resource, with the appointment of associate members Cucumber PR and Start 2 Finish Marketing.