The Manufacturing Growth Program

The Manufacturing Growth Program– what you need to know

The Manufacturing Growth Program provides advice and support to manufacturing SMEs to help:

Identify opportunities and create plans for growth and improvement
Work with the best external experts to implement those plans
cover up to 35% of the cost of implementing those plans through a growth/improvement grant
Connect to wider support to maximise opportunities for growth

What does that mean for manufacturing SMEs?

If you are a SME manufacturer , the Manufacturing Growth Programme provides many advantages for you, including:

An independent business review to identify opportunities for business improvement and growth
A detailed action plan guiding you throught he process of improving your business
Access to match industry experts to provide consultancy and/or coaching tailored to yourneeds
Access to grants to co-fund your growth improvement project

If you are interested in growing let us know and we'll help you determine if you are eligible and put you in touch with a Growth Manager for a free no obligation Manufactuyring Review and Scoping session.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible if you are:

an SME as defined by the EU definition. This means your company or group of companies must have:
1. Fewer than 250 employees
2. A turnover less than or equal to €50 million OR
3. A balance sheet total less than or equal to €43 million
A manufacturer, defined as:
“A business that engages in any economic activity directly related to a product or production process they have researched, designed or produced, or otherwise hold core intellectual property in.”

If you are unsure if you meet this definition, please get in touch with your local MGP team.
Able to demonstrate the intention to grow/improve – (through creation of increased turnover, increased jobs and/or introduction of new products/services/processes)

Businesses in the following sectors are not eligible:

fishery and aquaculture
primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products
coal, steel and shipbuilding
synthetic fibres

How much grant can be claimed and what can it be used for?

The grant is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the costs of working with an external expert/coach of your choice to implement a pre-agreed Growth/Improvement Action plan.

An average project value of £4,000 of support would attract a 35% Grant contribution, with a minimum grant application of £1000. Larger grants may be considered for exceptional cases (subject to panel approval) where the plan provides for significant job growth or new product development.

The scope of the Growth Improvement plan will be specific to each applicant’s growth needs and will be agreed in advance with our Manufacturing Growth Manager. Typically it will cover:

Expert consulting/coaching input – to analyse, recommend and support implementation of a Growth/Improvement Plan
Associated other expenditure specifically related to achieving a Growth/ Improvement objective (eg small equipment, preparation for accreditation costs etc)

Grant supported Growth/Improvement projects must be completed, paid and claimed for within 4 months of grant confirmation.

SME beneficiaries are at liberty to select any consultant/coach of their choice provided they can evidence that they have adhered to EU procurement rules requiring them to invite a minimum of 3 quotations for the work and justify value for money in their selection.

If you have any questions just contact us and we will put you in touch with your local Manufacturing Growth Manager to enable you to progress your claim.

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