Purpose & Membership

Whether they are based in Cornwall or Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset or Devon, manufacturers across the South West peninsula face many common issues. The South West Manufacturers Network provides a forum to discuss these issues and most importantly to come together to use our collective strength to lobby Government or other relevant parties to improve local investment in infrastructure.

Thus the Network exists principally to give greater coherence and cohesiveness to the issues that its core constituent members are agreed upon and wish to promote sub-regionally through to the LEPs or nationally, where necessary, to Government. These ‘core members’ are the local manufacturing representative groups that have often existed in their communities for decades.

The SWMN also works closely with the Great South West pan regional partnership. This relationship allows the regional manufacturers to input and capitalize on the united promotional representation offered by the GSW. Future-scaping is an additional and important activity for the network in an ever-changing volatile world. This allows the clusters to envisage the shared learning that can be undertaken within and across the clusters.

In summary, we come together informally to improve the competitiveness of our individual member companies; to boost productivity and wealth creation.

Our Strategic Priorities

To share best practice and knowledge across the membership of the Network to improve performance throughout the sector.

We improve skills and training and access to cutting edge research and development facilities which are often sadly lacking in the far south west.  We will also major on issues affecting connectivity across the Peninsula – whether it be road, rail, air or sea or even electronic means of communication such as broadband and mobile. 

To collaborate on other issues of mutual interest including, for example, promoting the sector as a first class career option for young people and those looking to change paths later in life.

Sharing best practice to improve members’ performance across all aspects of their business.

Lobbying to improve the far south west’s connectivity infrastructure.

Tackling education, skills & employment issues that affect manufacturers.

Promoting the manufacturing & engineering sector as an exciting career pathway for young people.

Core Members

The core members are: Cornwall Manufacturers Group; North Devon Manufacturers Association; Torbay Hi-Tech Forum; The Plymouth Manufacturers Group; Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster and Make UK. Somerset Council are acting as a channel to Somerset manufacturers.

Characteristics of each of the core members are that they are non-profit and:

  • Represent manufacturers from a discrete geographic area within the peninsula.

  • Are each established membership groups in their own right.

  • Look to the network as a means of strengthening their lobbying position on given issues.

  • Are invariably chaired by a manufacturer.