- Aston University supply chain expertise offered to small to medium enterprises
- The University provides expert advice through UK Centric Supply Chains
- Service was named Supply Chain Support Enterprise of the year.
Businesses affected by the fall in the pound’s value against the dollar and other economic challenges could benefit from Aston University supply chain expertise.
The University provides expert advice through UK Centric Supply Chains which assists companies assess and improve the capabilities of their supply chains here in the UK.
The free service covers the Marches transitional (Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin) and Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas. It is offered to most small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees in the manufacturing, automotive, engineering, food and drink sectors.
Khadijeh Rahmani, project manager, said:
“Over the past few years British companies have been facing numerous challenges.
“These include driver shortages, COVID-19, logistics provider capacity issues, BREXIT, shipping delays, increased freight costs, shortages, the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
“This has highlighted the importance of supply chains, and the solution to these challenges stems by taking a holistic approach of the supply chain system.
“After the economic turmoil of the past week we’re offering SMEs the opportunity to gain a better understanding of their supply chain to help them stay on track.”
UK Centric Supply Chains is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and part-funded by Aston University which provides a wealth of supply chain, business, and engineering expertise.
In August Midlands Enterprise Awards named the service as Supply Chain Support Enterprise of the year.
The consultations offered to SMEs include an assessment of the maturity of their supply chain in relation to existing capabilities, for a given product or a specific product category.
Webinars and workshops are also offered to promote and develop the sector and to support businesses growth.
- Notes to editors
To be eligible for any of the available support, companies need to meet the following criteria:
· Employ fewer than 250 employees.
· Have an annual turnover of not exceeding €50 million and/or an annual balance sheet not exceeding €43million.
· Have received less than €200,000 of de minimis State Aid in the past 3 years.
· Be based in The Marches LEP (transitional) areas: Shropshire,Telford & Wrekin or Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough LEP areas which includes Cambridgeshire & Peterborough OR
· Rutland, West Norfolk (incl Kings Lynn), South Kesteven (Lincs), South Holland (Lincs), West Suffolk (St Edundsbury and Forest Heath), Uttlesford (North Essex), North Hertfordshire.
About Aston University
Founded in 1895 and a university since 1966, Aston University is a long-established university led by its three main beneficiary groups – students, business and the professions, and the West Midlands region and wider society. Located in Birmingham at the heart of a vibrant city, the campus houses all the University’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Aleks Subic is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University is ranked 22 in the Guardian University Guide, based on measures including entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects. The Aston Business School MBA programme was ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
by following us on TwitterNeed an expert for your story? Browse our expert directory
