WORCESTERSHIRE manufacturers affected by temporary production shutdowns caused by the tsunami in Japan are to receive a £300,000 support package from the Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands.

The emergency funding will be available to companies which can demonstrate they have been affected by events in the Far East and will give them up to seven days of specialist support in financial management, re-negotiating finance terms and help in minimising the possible impact of delays in supply by identifying immediate cash savings.

Firms – involved in both component supply and the sourcing of products from Japan – are being urged to ring the dedicated hotline number on 0845 245 0845 They will be immediately dealt with by a MAS-WM specialist adviser who will identify the issues they are facing and, where appropriate, bring in an industry-leading expert to deliver one-on-one assistance.

“The tragic scenes in Japan have naturally caused a major backlog in the supply of components being sent from the country and a lot of global manufacturers are struggling to get the volume of electronics parts, tools and spares needed to make cars, aeroplanes, domestic goods and IT systems, for example,” said Rachel Eade, MAS-WM auto project manager.

“We have developed this support package having spoken in great lengths with the supply chain about what is needed.

“This immediate assistance will hopefully help firms in Worcestershire negate the potential issues that may arise from temporary shutdowns.”

The support package will involve up to seven days of support from a MAS-WM adviser, a sourcing expert or a finance specialist.

Following the immediate assistance there could be further opportunities for business improvement activities to help with efficiency gains, reducing waste and inventory management.

For more information about the scheme contact the hotline on 0845 245 0845.