£125 million fund for advanced manufacturing suppliers launched

Date added: 01/05/2012

Hundreds of business people from Birmingham and beyond gathered in the city for the launch of a major new business support scheme this week.

The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) competition was unveiled by Birmingham City Council at the International Convention Centre on Friday 27 April.

Around 300 delegates were introduced to the £125 million national initiative, which will support innovative projects in established UK advanced manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, automotive and chemicals.

AMSCI’s background and the role of the event were explained by industry experts Paul Heaven, Director of Blue Sky Corporate Finance and board member of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, and Janice Munday, Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Services at the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).

The scope of the competition was illustrated by Mark Barrow, Strategic Director of Birmingham City Council, which is responsible for delivering the government scheme with support from the Technology Strategy Board.
 
TSB’s Competitions Manager, Sarah Voddens, outlined the requirements of funding applications – with specific details highlighted by Sue Summers, CEO of Finance Birmingham, and Chris Thompson, BIS Deputy Director, before attendees took part in a Q&A session and special one-to-one meetings with key members of the AMSCI team.

AMCSI can provide grants and loans to projects throughout England that demonstrate real ambition to create globally competitive supply chains. Funding won by successful applicants can also support a combination of investment in capital equipment, research and development, and training and skills.

Stream 1 has two rounds of funding with application deadlines of Wednesday 13 June or Wednesday 12 September (both deadlines are at 12 noon).

For more information, including FAQs and competition registration, see the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative page on Birmingham City Council’s website.