Manufacturing Advisory Service
Manufacturing Advisory Service (mymas.org) is an independent UK informational website and online help desk providing advisory signposting, diagnostic reviews, and subsidized consultancy referrals to small and medium manufacturing enterprises across England and Scotland, launched in 2017 as a successor to the original 2002–2016 government program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Manufacturing Advisory Service does
Manufacturing Advisory Service (mymas.org) is an independent non-profit informational website and online help desk serving UK manufacturing businesses. The current entity was launched in August 2017 by a coalition of Made in Midlands members led by Lord Mike Whitby, following the closure of the original UK government Manufacturing Advisory Service program, which operated from April 2002 to March 2016 under the Department of Trade and Industry. The original government program was a £15–20 million annually funded initiative that assisted manufacturing SMEs in England and Scotland with strategic and technical advice, achieving reported outcomes of 30% productivity improvement and 37% waste reduction among participants, and was credited with contributing to over 83,000 jobs created and £3.5 billion added to the national economy through the wider Business Growth Service.
The current mymas.org offers a tiered service structure spanning initial enquiries, on-site diagnostic manufacturing reviews, events and training, funded consultancy (with three subsidy tiers of up to £1,000, £3,000, and £10,000 at 50% project cost coverage), partner referrals, and supply chain assistance. The service is delivered primarily through a digital signposting model with an online help desk, supported by a network of financial and professional services partners including Finance Birmingham, Royal Bank of Scotland, ART Business Loans, The Manufacturer publication, and Baldwins Accountants. It targets UK-based small and medium manufacturing enterprises across all English regions and Scotland, covering sectors including aerospace, automotive, chemical, construction, electronics, food, life sciences, marine, nuclear, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, and rail.
Revenue mechanics for the current entity are opaque: services begin with a free initial review and consultation, and the website contains no disclosed pricing for ongoing engagement. The 11–50 employee count and the visible presence of adult-content promotional links on the homepage raise questions about the operational depth and current commercial activity of the entity. The site functions primarily as a content resource and referral directory rather than a technology platform, with no proprietary software, API, or AI capabilities documented.
Manufacturing Advisory Service firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Manufacturing Advisory Service
- Legal name
- mymas.org
- Website
- https://mymas.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Manufacturing Advisory Service (mymas.org) is an independent UK informational website and online help desk providing advisory signposting, diagnostic reviews, and subsidized consultancy referrals to small and medium manufacturing enterprises across England and Scotland, launched in 2017 as a successor to the original 2002–2016 government program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Manufacturing Advisory Service industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Manufacturing Advisory Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Production Operations & Shop Floor Systems (MPS, MES basics) (EDAOAGAH)
Keywords
Where Manufacturing Advisory Service is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Manufacturing Advisory Service business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Advisory Services: Free initial review and consultation for manufacturing businesses seeking guidance on process improvements, strategy formulation, and business growth. Funded consultancy programs provide subsidies up to 50% for qualifying improvement projects.
- Information Services: The website mymas.org provides informational articles and resources for UK manufacturers. The service historically provided subsidized business support through government-funded programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free initial review and consultation |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | MAS Foundation Services - funding up to £1,000 |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | MAS Step Change Service - funding up to £3,000 |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | MAS Transformation Service - funding up to £10,000 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Manufacturing Advisory Service product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is an advisory service agency that provides strategic and technical guidance to UK manufacturing SMEs through a tiered offering of free initial reviews, on-site manufacturing diagnostics, training events, funded consultancy projects (up to £10,000), partner referrals, and supply chain assistance. It operates as an online help desk and signposting service to help manufacturers access information, finance, and best practices for growth.
Product overview
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is a business advisory service for UK manufacturing companies, not a unified software product. It offers a tiered service structure comprising six levels: Level 1 (Enquiries) for initial information support, Level 2 (Manufacturing Review) for on-site diagnostic assessments, Level 3 (Events) for training and networking, Level 4 (Consultancy) with three funding tiers (Foundation, Step Change, and Transformation services), Level 5 (Referrals) for partner organization connections, and Supply Chain Assistance for SME diversification. The service was relaunched in 2017 as an online help desk and signposting service, providing practical and impartial support for manufacturing businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MAS Level 1 - Enquiries Initial inquiry and information service provided by a geographically dispersed team of experienced advisors combined with website support and local knowledge for manufacturing SMEs.
- MAS Level 2 - Manufacturing Review On-site specialist manufacturing diagnostic review service, providing one-day (for small/simple businesses) or two-day (for complex businesses) assessments using diagnostic tools based on 'Manufacturing Excellence' principles co-developed with Warwick Manufacturing Group.
- MAS Level 3 - Events Training and networking opportunities service covering technical know-how and logistics, including peer-led assistance and self-help resources through social networking tools.
- MAS Level 4 - Consultancy Three-tier consultancy service structure offering funding support: MAS Foundation Services (up to £1,000 or 50%), MAS Step Change Service (up to £3,000 or 50%), and MAS Transformation Service (up to £10,000 or 50%) for strategic business change initiatives.
- MAS Level 5 - Referrals Partner identification and referral service where MAS advisors identify partner organizations to provide support while maintaining responsibility until client needs are confirmed as met.
- Supply Chain Assistance Service focused on helping SMEs diversify into advanced manufacturing supply chains and enhancing relationships between Original Equipment Manufacturers and their supply chains.
- Online Help Desk Dedicated online desk service providing signposting for businesses to access information needed for growth and support of Britain's manufacturing industries. Helps manufacturers access finance, marketing best practices, process improvements, and R&D grants.
- Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Expert advisory service providing strategic and technical guidance to manufacturing companies in the UK, working with management teams to formulate long-term strategies, streamline processes, and introduce new products to improve supply chain operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Improved productivity by nearly 30% for participating companies
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Manufacturing Advisory Service
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Manufacturing Advisory Service technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Manufacturing Advisory Service partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting partner, leadership and core.
- The Manufacturersupporting partnerManufacturing industry publication partner supporting the MAS initiative. Provides industry expertise and marketing visibility for the advisory service.
- Baldwins Accountantssupporting partnerAccounting firm partner supporting the MAS online help desk. Provides financial and business expertise for manufacturing clients.
- Lord Mike WhitbyleadershipNon-executive director leading the coalition of Made in Midlands members that established the re-launched MAS online help desk in 2017.
- PeracorePart of the original MAS consortium delivering Manufacturing Advisory Service in East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber, and East of England. Provided consultancy, coaching, access to finance, mentoring, expert advice and training.
- Grand ThorntoncorePart of the original MAS consortium providing advisory services to manufacturing SMEs across England.
- SWMAS LtdcorePart of the original MAS consortium delivering services across the South West region. Supported over 3,750 manufacturing businesses, created 3,577 new jobs, and added £244m GVA to the regional economy.
- WM Manufacturing ConsortiumcorePart of the original MAS consortium delivering advisory services to manufacturing SMEs.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Manufacturing Advisory Service competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Innovate UK: UK government innovation agency funding R&D grants and business growth support; covers MAS's R&D grants and funding access use cases for manufacturing SMEs.
- High Value Manufacturing Catapult: UK network of seven advanced manufacturing technology and innovation centres offering funded support and consultancy to manufacturers; substantially overlaps MAS's SME transformation remit at larger scale.
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): Nottingham-based catapult centre providing manufacturing process improvement, training, and consultancy to UK industrial firms - directly comparable service portfolio to MAS consultancy tiers.
- Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG): University of Warwick R&D and skills group that co-developed MAS's diagnostic tools and serves UK manufacturing with applied research and training - functionally an upstream collaborator and adjacent advisory provider.
Direct peers
- Be the Business: UK productivity-focused charity/peer network offering business advisory and benchmarking tools to SMEs - closely comparable model to MAS on productivity diagnostics and SME engagement.
- Pera Consulting: Former MAS consortium partner that worked with 3,192 manufacturers and added £743m GVA through MAS support; directly executes the same kind of funded manufacturing SME advisory engagements MAS targets.
- Make UK: The UK's principal manufacturers' trade association (formerly EEF) offering strategic advice, training, and policy advocacy to UK manufacturing SMEs - the closest direct analogue to MAS's target market and mission.
Regional players
- National Manufacturing Institute Scotland: Scottish Government-backed manufacturing skills, R&D, and advisory body; functionally an analogue of MAS in Scotland and a direct substitute for regional manufacturing SME support.
- Made in Midlands: Regional manufacturing members' network whose coalition actually relaunched MAS in 2017; operates an adjacent SME engagement and advocacy mission within the Midlands.
Others
- The Manufacturer: UK manufacturing media/industry publication and partner of MAS; overlapping audience of manufacturing decision-makers and a content-marketing channel comparable to mymas.org.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Manufacturing Advisory Service social profiles
Digital presenceManufacturing Advisory Service financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Manufacturing Advisory Service leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Manufacturing Advisory Service funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Manufacturing Advisory Service M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Manufacturing Advisory Service
What does Manufacturing Advisory Service do?
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is an advisory service agency that provides strategic and technical guidance to UK manufacturing SMEs through a tiered offering of free initial reviews, on-site manufacturing diagnostics, training events, funded consultancy projects (up to £10,000), partner referrals, and supply chain assistance. It operates as an online help desk and signposting service to help manufacturers access information, finance, and best practices for growth.
Is Manufacturing Advisory Service a public or private company?
Manufacturing Advisory Service is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Manufacturing Advisory Service founded?
Manufacturing Advisory Service was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Manufacturing Advisory Service based?
Manufacturing Advisory Service is headquartered in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Manufacturing Advisory Service make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are information Services.
Who are Manufacturing Advisory Service's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Innovate UK, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). Direct peers are Be the Business, Pera Consulting and Make UK. Regional players are National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and Made in Midlands. The Manufacturer is listed as an others.
Does Manufacturing Advisory Service have an API?
No public API is recorded for Manufacturing Advisory Service.
What industry is Manufacturing Advisory Service in?
Manufacturing Advisory Service's product category is Manufacturing Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAGAH, Production Operations & Shop Floor Systems (MPS, MES basics).