Productive pilot

A skills and process development scheme for smaller engineering firms is set to expand following successful trials in the West Midlands.

The Productivity and Competitiveness (PAC) programme places expert analysts with engineering or manufacturing companies to help them measure and improve factors such as quality, cost and delivery and boost performance.

By linking training with operational change it aims to create a sustainable increase in productivity and profits rather than a short-term uplift.

PAC is the result of a joint initiative between four

(SSCs) with a relevance to the engineering sector. They are

(process and energy),

(food manufacturing),

(building and printing) and

(science, engineering and manufacturing).

The partners said a pilot PAC programme in the West Midlands had delivered significant benefits to the 14 companies that took part.

After completing the programme, which takes between six and nine months, the firms achieved an average £93,000 increase in profitability, claimed the organisers. The cost to the company of taking part ranges from £3,000 to £5,000.