Bringing together almost 70 professionals from the South West, employees, customers and partners of SWMAS’ 20-year history came together to raise a glass to the organisation’s incredible work, helping more than 8,500 businesses across the region.
In the last 10 years alone, SWMAS has carried out over 6,300 business reviews, helped to launch over 400 new products, trained over 8,000 delegates, brought more than £28.5 million of production back to the UK and issued more than £11.5m business improvement grants.
Nick Golding, managing director at SWMAS, said: “It is a huge honour to welcome so many outstanding businesses and professionals here today. Particularly over the last three years, we have experienced challenges never seen before and worked closely with businesses to manoeuvre and manage the many obstacles. We are excited to continue supporting them with their exciting plans for growth, helping to improve productivity, adopt digital solutions and support with their transition towards net zero.”
Nick was joined by Arthur Richardson, SWMAS’ first managing director from 2002, and Simon Howes, who took over the reins in 2011 – the second employee at SWMAS when it was first established.
SWMAS awards were given out to celebrate clients’ successes and pledges:
Biggest Transformation Award: Alderman Tooling
SWMAS Partnership Award: PC Comms
New Product Development Awards: Tomcat
Progression towards Net Zero Award: EPS Tooling
SWMAS Ambassador Award: Colin Spencer Halsey, The Natural Fibre Company
Jo Fairley, co-founder of Green & Blacks, was the after-dinner speaker and took to the stage to share her journey of starting the iconic, organic chocolate brand, through to investment opportunities and selling in 2005. After an engaging and inspirational talk, Jo answered questions from attendees and shared words of wisdom and her advice for the future.
Nick concluded: “Here’s to the next 20 years, and to manufacturing the future we want to create and to be a part of.”
SWMAS runs its National Manufacturing Barometer on a quarterly basis. To see the full report for the August – October 2022, please visit: www.swmas.co.uk/knowledge/national-2022-q2
To find out more about the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service, please visit: www.swmas.co.uk
