MAN’s collective approach proves a big draw for renewable specialists

MAN, which is a group of nine manufacturing firms from across the West Midlands, has seen demand reach new levels from companies involved in LED lighting, wind and solar power and alternative fuels. More than 50 local jobs have already been created as a result of this new drive, and this figure could be trebled over the next year, if the pipeline is translated into firm orders. Renewable energy is one of the group's major priorities for 2011 and significant investment will be channelled into marketing the collective to key industry players and through attendance at strategic events. MAN is also involved in Renewable Energy Supply Chain Opportunities (RESCO) and looking to maximise any opportunities that come from being part of this increasingly influential network. MAN member company PP Electrical Systems is leading the way in the renewable area after benefitting from the surge in printing of special photovoltaic inks onto semiconductor substrates used in the production of solar cells. The Cheslyn Hay-based company designs and builds the electric and electronic systems and cabling for the automated lines – some up to 10 to 15 m long - used to manufacture these cells, with the vast majority being exported to Asia. This work now accounts for 15% of the firm's £24 million annual turnover and will only grow with the addition of further orders from LED light manufacturers. "Renewables is a growing market and one that is keen to embrace the skills and world class manufacturing processes we already employ when serving established industries," explained Tony Hague, managing director of PP Electrical Systems (picture, left). "It is also interested in the collaborative approach that MAN offers, especially from the security of supply angle, and the fact that we – as a group – can offer a single gateway to every aspect of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering imaginable. "At least five of our nine member companies are already working in some form of low carbon supply. This ranges from Barkley's toolmaking expertise in solar power transfer material to Wrekin Circuits providing products to go into LED rail signalling. "We are now seeing enquiries starting to come in for offshore wind generation and this is set to increase with the UK Government's sustained investment in 67,000 wind turbines and a number of overseas producers looking to set up manufacturing sites here." In another move, three MAN members have tapped into support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands new product development initiative to begin work on the development of an alternative fuel source for a global technology business. It marks the largest project yet for the group and will initially draw on the skills of Advanced Chemical Etching and precision press worker Brandauer's progression tooling capability. "Volumes are worth about £300,000 at the moment, but the longer-term projection is going to be about £2.5 million per year," explained David Spears, managing director of Brandauer. "What is even more pleasing is that this project illustrates the key benefits of using MAN, which basically means companies can use one, two, three or all member companies, depending on their needs. "This renewables project already involves ACE, ourselves at Brandauer, and we've recently passed some lower volume tooling to Westley Engineering. Future work could involve a further two members and the nature of the contracts means we could yet use the full collective." Originally established as part of an Advantage West Midlands-backed automotive initiative, MAN has evolved into a self-sustainable group that boasts a combined turnover of £70 million and employs in excess of 600 people. The five original members – Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, FW Cables and Westley Engineering - have been joined by Advanced Chemical Etching, PP Electrical Systems, Wrekin Circuits and now SMT Developments.