Who can take advantage of what MAS has to offer

The definition of manufacturing as per the MAS Guidelines is: "The modern definition of manufacturing is broad. The full cycle of activities from research, design and development, production, logistics, and service provision to end of life management."

The definition we use for manufacturing makes a strong distinction between production (the physical processes of making, bending, etc.) and manufacturing (the overarching process of getting raw materials to goods and their associated services).  By taking this approach to defining manufacturing it becomes easier to see that although an organisation may choose to outsource its production activities, it remains at heart a manufacturing company.

Your company can call itself an SME if:

• it has fewer than 250 employees at the time an application is made (including part time, seasonal and temporary staff).
• it has an annual turnover of no more than £34m or a balance sheet total not exceeding approximately £29m
• it is independent*

*Definition: Less than 25 per cent of your company will be owned by one or more enterprises which don’t meet the definition above, except for investments held by public investment corporations, venture capital companies or institutional investors provided no control is exercised.

For a full definition of a Small and Medium Sized Business please click HERE.

MAS Aid
MAS’ aid to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises is State Aid which is granted under the “aid for consultancy in favour of SMEs” provisions set out in the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) ((Regulation EC) 800/2008).

The maximum aid to an SME per MAS Level 4 consultancy project is no more than £10,000 per undertaking per project. The maximum which could be granted under the “aid for consultancy in favour of SMEs” provisions in the GBER is  EUR 2 million per undertaking per project.

The maximum aid which can be provided under MAS is 50% of eligible costs. The eligible costs for MAS State Aid in accordance with the GBER provisions are the consultancy costs provided under a MAS Level 4 project.

Further information about the State Aid implications of your MAS support will be stated in the Offer Letter and documentation provided by the MAS Centre prior to you receiving your MAS support.

Any subsidised support provided by MAS to Large Enterprises is provided at market rate with no subsidy by UK or EU Government.

The legal basis for MAS support in the UK is Industrial Development Act 1982, Parts III and IV. This enables selective financial assistance in the form of advice, information and service provision. The relevant power in Section 11 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 which enables the Secretary of State to make provision for the giving of advice (whether free of charge or other wise) to persons carrying on business, is the underlying enabling legislation for all the work which will be undertaken as a result of Manufacturing Advisory Service.

Find out more about our services and how we can help your company by contacting us on:

Tel: 0845 658 9600
Email: advice@mymas.org