Since its launch three months ago, Enscite, the organisation created to help manufacturing SMEs develop business opportunities in the transport engineering supply chain, has begun work on thirty-five projects, together predicted to create over fifty jobs.
“The number of projects underway far exceeds all our forecasts,” comments Colin McKinnon, MD of Enscite, which launched in April at an event led by the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport.
“Supporting innovation, skills, business development and job creation are important elements of all thirty-five projects, and their value to the local economy is significant, with their joint value estimated in the region of£3.5 million GVA.
“The projects span a diverse range of manufacturing SMEs in the aerospace, automotive and rail sector supply chain, from start-ups to established businesses.”
According to Colin McKinnon, the nature and quality of the projects with which Enscite is involved, demonstrate that ambition and innovation is high amongst the regions SMEs:
“Manufacturers across the transport engineering supply chain have embraced the opportunity Enscite presents for them to explore and develop their ideas. Ambition to grow and succeed is tangible amongst all these companies, and the standard and quality of innovation illustrates the rich pool of engineering and manufacturing talent across the East Midlands.”
Enscite is focused on supporting supply chain development and re-shoring, helping manufacturing businesses to grow and thrive by providing an extensive portfolio of specialist support services encompassing hands-on consultancy, workshops and events and access to funding.
It aims to build a culture of open innovation in the industry, by encouraging best practice and knowledge-sharing around market opportunities, helping suppliers understand what they need to do to support the growth of the transport engineering sector’s major manufacturers.
Enscite, which next year will move to the Innovation Centre at Infinity Park, Derby, is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Regional Growth Fund. It is a collaboration between Derby City Council, Derby, Aston, and Cranfield Universities, and is committed to improving the performance of supply chain companies in the transport engineering sector.
