The Midlands Assembly Network (MAN) is setting its sights on a host of new opportunities after it joined forces with one of the UKs leading product design and engineering consultancies.
The unique manufacturing collective has welcomed Herefordshire-based Grove Design as its latest member, providing its global client base with a full turnkey service, from initial drawings and feasibility studies to prototyping and low, medium and high volume production.
This additional service the first time the group has ever offered this discipline has already led to possible contracts for developing lightweight automotive components and an exciting global project in renewables.
Tony Hague, Chairman of MAN, believes this is just the start of what could be a multi-million pound opportunity:
More and more companies are looking to rationalise their supply chain to avoid issues with lead times, cost and security of delivery and this is a trend we can take advantage of.
Grove Design represents a perfect fit for the group and builds on existing manufacturing capabilities, including etching, precision pressing, tool making, injection moulding, contract electronics and die casting.
He went on to add: Whilst we have some existing design facilities, theyre nothing like our latest member can bring to the table. Its reputation for product design and providing engineering solutions is well known both at home and abroad.
Its a major coup for MAN and means we can now work with existing and new customers at the earliest possible stage of a new product or component.
Grove Design employs six full time design engineers at its state-of-the-art studio and off-road test track in Herefordshire, working for clients in agriculture, automotive, petrochemical, recycling and security.
The company combines years of engineering expertise with the latest 3D CAD modeling and analysis to deliver solutions that include vehicle drivetrains, special purpose machinery, hand held devices and processing plant.
Recent project wins have seen a rise in turnover and Grove expects this trend to accelerate following the decision to join the Midlands Assembly Network.
We are really excited about joining MAN and believe we provide a new dimension to its existing offer, explained Austin Owens, Director at Grove Design.
There is a growing demand for suppliers to get involved at the earliest possible stage with new components or products and this is where we can really add value, whether it is through a single redraw or full project involvement from concept through to definition for manufacture.
He continued: We can now work with other MAN members to offer the complete solution for clients and take our design through to production and supply.
This means we can identify potential issues earlier on in the process as well have input from the actual companies who will be producing the parts. This is a massive win-win for potential customers.
The Midlands Assembly Network is made up of ten companies including Grove Design, Advanced Chemical Etching, Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, FW Cables, Mec Com, PP Electrical Systems, SMT Developments and Westley Engineering.
Together they employ over 650 people and turnover in excess of £65m, providing access to world class manufacturing in precision pressings, casting, etching, injection moulding, wiring looms, toolmaking, PCB assembly and electrical control systems and assemblies.
For further information, visit www.grovedesign.co.uk/ www.man-group.co.uk, ring 0845 034 6676 or follow MAN on twitter @man_group_