HEY Growth Hub is calling on manufacturers from across the region to join them for the launch of a new manufacturers network on Thursday 2 March.

Whilst the economy has been turbulent of late, “doing business” for manufacturers has been particularly challenging.

Faced with supply chain disruption, skills shortages, rising energy costs, and the implications of Net Zero, running a manufacturing business in 2023 is a challenging proposition.

With the launch of the HEY Manufacturers Network, the HEY Growth Hub is here to help.

Placing an emphasis on collaboration and peer support, the network will act as an informal and supportive forum for manufacturing and engineering firms to learn best practice, share ideas, and discuss solutions to shared challenges.

Through activity such as industry insight visits, networking forums, mini workshops and keynote speakers, the network will help manufacturing firms to tackle the pressing issues of the day, such as Net Zero, productivity, supply chains, recruitment and skills needs, and so called “Industry 4.0” – i.e. digital technology adoption.

Taking place from 3-5pm on Thursday 2 March at the Aura facility at Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, the launch event is free to attend and will offer the opportunity to find out more about the proposals for the network.

The keynote speaker for the launch event is David Hall, MD of Beverley Park Homes and board member of the HEY LEP.

David will give a talk on the current operational challenges facing his business including supply chain issues, energy and resource efficiency activities, and recruitment challenges, and will discuss how his firm is tackling these.

This will be followed by a Q&A and discussion forum for members to share ideas and approaches to “challenges in common”.

HEY LEP Growth Hub Manager, Jon Brunton, will then discuss the plans to take the HEY Manufacturers Network forwards and will ask delegates for suggestions and ideas for future events and activities.

Free light refreshments will be available for delegates to enjoy and there will be ample time for networking before and after the event.

Jon said: “Hull and East Yorkshire has a strong manufacturing and engineering base and whilst we provide a range of support and funding via the HEY Growth Hub, there isn’t currently a dedicated network for manufacturers to get together and discuss challenges in common and, more importantly, how to tackle these challenges in common.

“That’s why we’ve decided to launch the HEY Manufacturers Network. We have been able to allocate funding for this launch event from our #GrowMySME – Business Growth Scheme which has a remit to support key industrial sectors in the region, including manufacturing and engineering.

“We therefore hope that as many firms as possible join us at the launch event on 2 March to find out more about our plans for the network.”

David Hall, HEY LEP Board Member and MD of Beverley Park Homes said: “2023 may be a challenging year for the economy, but we hope that by bringing together manufacturers from across the region, we can discuss issues in common and share best practice and ideas to overcome these often complex issues facing manufacturing firms.”

The launch event is free to attend for manufacturing and engineering businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire, and 13 firms have already booked their place.

For more information and to book your place, please visit the event listing here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hull-east-yorkshire-manufacturers-network-launch-event-registration-538755772017