About us

Made in the Midlands (also referred to in some circles as MIM) is a form of business network, e.g., a local organisation of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses – specific to manufacturing in the West Midlands. Each firm is represented at boardroom level from companies located in towns and cities in the Midlands, United Kingdom and from this local society to advocate on behalf of the manufacturing community. Local businesses are members, and is driven by regular steering groups and focus groups to advise on continued improvements and it is understood that a non-executive board is to be introduced in 2012 open to firms within the manufacturing community to further advise on strategic direction and lobbying to national and local government.

History

Made in the Midlands as a business network representing around 250 SME's in manufacturing in the Midlands was founded in 2002 after John Hayward, MD of a local manufacturing firm passed the concept and domain to a local entrepreneur to run with – the organisation's offices are currently based in Wolverhampton in the Black Country, England.

Demographic area

The Midlands is referred to as the home of the industrial revolution and covers Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, Worcestershire, an area know as the Black Country which includes the four boroughs of Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

Structure

The organisation acts as a platform for firms to source and supply with one another, collaborate and improve their businesses – all independent of the public sector.
As of May 1,[clarification needed] 2009, the organisation went public with its new online portal announced during a large Manufacturing summit in the city of Wolverhampton where firms were able to meet at director level only with other manufacturers.

It was the first time this had been achieved in the region where firms came together to interact on their own merit. This has now become a regular fixture in the local business calendar, with a larger gathering in 2010, again in the city of Wolverhampton, UK which the Manufacturing Advisory Service West Midlands (MAS-WM) assisted hosting. The most recent gathering was held in nearby Walsall in 2011.

In October 2011 the collective are to meet again to recognise the achievements of the performing manufacturing companies within the group, following the success of the 2010 Awards event where leading organisations within the business community such as SEMTA [The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies and BCU (Birmingham City University) collaborated with Made in the Midlands.

Political links

Made in the Midlands is now notable within business support network for the extensive lobbying and representation activities it undertakes on behalf of its members. In 2011 the delegates from Made in the Midlands were invited to Westminster to meet with senior government figures including Business Minister Mark Prisk to contribute to business policy in line with the UK government's 'big society' drive.

Now recognised as a major non-government initiative for the region, Made in the Midlands sought to influence the relevant authorities to expand and improve the region's manufacturing focus using the campaign slogan "Championing Midlands Manufacturing!" which was endorsed by leading former government figures and leading industrialists including Lord Digby Jones, Tony Woodley of UNITE and Colin Green, MD of Land Rover. In 2012 Made in the Midlands also welcomed visits from Adrian Bailey, MP and Ian Austin, MP who pledged their support and commitment to the midlands manufacturing community.

Future programmes

Made in the Midlands has also pioneered a manufacturing academy scheme with local education centres to engage youngsters in the region to fall in love with industry through submitting innovation ideas to a panel of Made in the Midlands firms with a view to putting them into production. The group also holds an annual awards presentation to the top performing manufacturers each year called The Made in the Midlands Awards which are voted for by a third party panel of industriallists.

It has been commented that the group is similar to a 'Manufacturing Only' Chamber of Commerce – following the core ideals of the first chamber of commerce which was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France.

Acclaim

Made in the Midlands has received widespread acclaim from the business community and has featured on BBC TV, The Economist and The Manufacturer.