The Made in Group, in partnership with Industry Advantage in Somerset, is launching a waitlist to establish a new manufacturing community in the South West.
The new region will be led by Tony Mattravers, who has been helping manufacturers innovate and grow with the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS) for more than eight years.
Manufacturers can join the waitlist for announcements on the new membership group here https://g2made.uk/madeinthesouthwest
Tony is a seasoned Business Improvement Consultant with a proven track record of delivering measurable growth and performance improvements across manufacturing, defence, and IT. With deep expertise in strategic business change, Lean Six Sigma, and workshop facilitation, he tailors solutions that help businesses innovate, streamline processes, and achieve ambitious targets. Driven by a passion for coaching and mentoring, he empowers teams to identify key challenges, build capacity, and develop strong relationships—ultimately enabling organisations to thrive in competitive environments.
Made in the South West will cover Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. The new office is located in Bridgwater, Somerset.
The region will organise knowledge exchange through best-practice events and online thought-leadership discussions. It will also be linked to a national network operating in Yorkshire and the Midlands, further amplifying the voice and interests of the manufacturing sector.
UK manufacturing—and in particular, the SME sector—lacks a dedicated voice. With the addition of the South West, the Made in platform will now cover a significant part of England. Jason Pitt, CEO of Made in Group, said, “It is my hope that we can join up the entire UK and build a national network connecting industry to help bring the most important sector together with a common cause.”
A key aim of the peer group is to strengthen a culture of idea-sharing among regional companies and foster interest in local supply chains.
The UK remains one of the world’s largest manufacturing nations, with a great deal to offer. It has a skilled workforce, advanced energy infrastructure, and a developed economy. The Made in platform’s goal is to help member companies be part of something bigger than themselves while learning from one another.
While AI, for example, will change society beyond recognition in the coming years, there is still work to be done for the UK to remain competitive and to prosper in this new era. It is not only about technology; it is about harnessing existing expertise by strengthening industry connections and building collective intelligence and capability in ways that transcend mere data.
For Britain to succeed, people need to see how they are interconnected—from localising supply chains to engaging with the community. Now more than ever, it is crucial that the UK industry remains energised.