Leading business figure urges manufacturing & engineering companies to grab growth opportunity

One of the respected names of the manufacturing and engineering sector, Sir Frank Davies CBE, is urging local companies to use the upcoming festival of manufacturing and engineering between 11th -17th February to obtain free expert advice about how to improve sales, find new customers, promote themselves to the public, and meet people interested in a career in the sector.

Sir Frank has a long, illustrious career in manufacturing and engineering, being chairman or director of several international companies including Aggregate Industries, Alcan Aluminium, Rockware, BTR Nylex and has been chair of the Health & Safety Commission.  He believes the business events on offer during the festival are just what local companies need:

“Despite global growth last year being the worst since the economic crash of 2007, the UK’s manufacturing and engineering sector has grown by 7% in the last 12 months and forecasts expect continued growth beyond 2020” said Sir Frank.  

“The business seminar offers invaluable advice on all those challenges faced by every company including finance, law, HR, PR, developing strategy, leadership and innovation. Even small improvements in any of these areas pays back handsome dividends”

Sir Frank has just become a non-executive director of Festomane, which celebrates each year the vibrancy of Stroud district’s manufacturing and engineering sector  currently employing 24% of the local  working population.

The ‘Grow your Manufacturing and Engineering Business’ seminar on Tuesday 16th February at SGS College Stroud campus brings local small and medium-sized M&E companies together with experts from SWMAS, the Manufacturing and Advisory Service, the UK Trade & Investment Service, Innovate UK, The Growth Hub, Lloyds Bank, SGS College, BPE Solicitors, and Hazlewoods’ Accountants. Subjects covered will include investing in new technology, obtaining funding and grants, exporting, improving productivity, legal advice, and where and how to find help.

The half day seminar will also enable participants to get individual advice from the experts plus time for networking. Places are free of charge thanks to funders, the SW Manufacturing and Advisory Service and SGS College.  Places are strictly limited so any M&E business wanting its share of the sector’s forecasted growth  should book their place via Festomane’s website www.festomane.co.uk. 

Attendees at Festomane’s previous business seminar found it to be of great assistance: “I wanted to find out about support for manufacturing companies and (the seminar) opened doors that I couldn’t access before”, commented one participant.  

Festomane’s ‘Creation & Innovation Revealed’ Exhibition on Wednesday 17th February lets companies have display space free of charge show-off their products, innovations and activities to the public, and discuss career opportunities with young people and those interested in changing work direction.