NOF, the UK business development organisation for the energy sector, has entered into a new partnership with Make UK, which champions and celebrates Britain’s manufacturing industries.
With a large proportion of NOF’s membership companies being manufacturing and fabrication-based, there are strong synergies between the two organisations that will offer a range of benefits to members.
Both organisations have areas of interest that overlap, in particular offshore energy, including offshore wind, oil & gas and the subsea industry. Make UK is also active in sectors, which NOF members may be looking to expand into, such as defence and marine.
NOF and Make UK also have a national reach and shared agendas including overseas trading, energy transition in the fabrication and engineering sectors and supporting members to grow their businesses.
Through this collaborative partnership, NOF and Make UK will work together to support the business growth strategies of members of both organisations through a range of activities, such as events, including National Manufacturing Day on 7 July.
In addition, the partnership will provide enhanced guidance and support on issues affecting the manufacturing-related sectors.
Make UK is the largest body backing UK manufacturing and has been ensuring the sector can compete, innovate and grow for 125 years while NOF has been delivering expert business development services across the UK for its members that operate in the national and international energy supply chain since 1988.
Caroline Lofthouse, NOF head of commercial & partnerships, said: “NOF and Make UK are like-minded organisations with complementary outlooks and goals to ensure the companies we represent have access to the right opportunities in new and existing markets and expand their commercial footprint.
“Manufacturing continues to be one of the UK’s key industries, generating more than £300 billion in product sales annually, and we have a strong cluster within our membership that make a positive contribution.
“This collaborative alliance will amplify both our voices by pooling expertise and experience that will support the strategic aims of both organisations and provide added value to our members.
“As part of the agreement, NOF will also work closely with Make UK’s policy and lobbying teams, helping them understand our sector and the challenges and opportunities that our members face as they strive to innovate and contribute to the energy transition.”
Dawn Huntrod, Make UK’s Region Director – North, said: “We’re delighted to agree a partnership with such an important organisation with interests in a key sector of the economy. We both share a desire to support the manufacturing sector and promote its contribution to growth and employing highly skilled people across the country. Through the partnership we look forward to offering NOF access to a wide range of intelligence and events which will help their members grow.”
Matt Camp, MTE’s Joint Managing Director, said: “As a long-standing NOF member organisation, MTE welcomes this strategic alliance, which promises to further strengthen the UK’s manufacturing sector. Events, such as the National Manufacturing Day on 7 July, serve a vital role in safeguarding the future of UK manufacturing. We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”