Business Partners

Managing Automation

Through Managing Automation Media, Thomas Publishing LLC produces focused, industry-specific information and decision-support tools for the North American and European manufacturing markets. Managing Automation, launched in 1986, provides critical content to progressive manufacturers -- companies who are using information and automation technologies to transform their businesses and create a sustainable competitive advantage. Manufacturing Executive, a new pan-European media portfolio launched in 2008, provides technology information and insight for executive and line of business management. Through print magazines, robust websites, the TechMATCH information technology comparison database, and executive conferences, both brands reach the entire integrated technology buying team at every stage of the technology buying process.

The partnership combines the power of the TechMATCH product databases at ManagingAutomation.com and Manufacturing-Executive.com with the technology selection resources of SpecIT™, providing manufacturers with a seamless transition from early-stage discovery to a consultant-supported short list and eventual technology selection. The partnership will be executed in two phases. The new decision-support tools that will be brought about by the partnership will benefit manufacturing decision-makers in a variety of ways. During this period of increasing demands on time and shrinking internal resources, manufacturers need credible and reliable options to help them make improvements in their businesses. By taking advantage of easy access to experts who are savvy on best practices in the manufacturing industry, manufacturers can confidently minimize the risk inherent in choosing critical business technology while saving time. Hiring an experienced consultant has the advantage of allowing a more holistic approach to technology selection with an outside expert who can navigate around internal silos. The delegation of the information-gathering and alternative selection processes to a qualified external consultant also frees up employees' time to focus on core business processes.

NouvEON

NouvEON has a history of helping clients with practical technology and business solutions. We combine highly experienced local resources that are attracted and maintained through our proprietary Employee Owned Network^™, with the specific industry knowledge desired by our clients. By providing business terms that allow project-based or contractor-based delivery, clients quickly come to appreciate the well-balanced Cost/Quality Value Proposition that uniquely distinguishes NouvEON.

Our Consulting Services include:

Bridgepoint Capital

Bridgepoint is a leading provider of private equity in Europe. Bridgepoint has raised to date over €6 billion from leading third party institutional investors and have returned over €3 billion to investors since 2000. MMG has had a close relationship with Bridgepoint (formerly NatWest Ventures) for over 10 years.

The Bridgepoint Affinity Purchasing Scheme, or BAPS, is a service provided by Bridgepoint to all its portfolio companies aimed at driving down costs. Bridgepoint has negotiated discounts on a range of generic products and services where the potential exists to achieve greater savings as the volume increases. The scheme currently offers favourable rates in areas such as insurance, computer software and hardware, gas & electricity, telecoms and vehicle contract hire and leasing. SpecIT™ is part of the BAPS scheme and has been used with several current and former Bridgepoint portfolio companies including:

• See Ticketing / Really Useful Theatre Group
• Jessops
• Gower Furniture
• Artform
• Clares Retail Equipment

• Alchemy Partners
• Cinven
• EAC
• Quester
• Sovereign
• Dunedin
• IRRfc

Unipart Expert Practices

UEP is a leading provider of business consulting expertise to the supply chain sector globally. With a team of over 200 practioners, UEP is well placed to enhance the strengths of the SpecIT™ product with the application of in-depth supply chain and systems knowledge and experience. Building on a practitioner approach, UEP delivers a holistic and pragmatic outcome for its clients.

UEP is the consulting division of the Unipart Group, a privately owned Supply Chain and Business Services Company, and one of the UK’s largest privately owned companies.

These areas are underpinned by the world-class LEAN operational architecture called the 'Unipart Way'. Through the application of LEAN principles, coupled with a practitioner-based approach, UEP consistently delivers client assignments that add real and sustainable value. The result is a long list of blue-chip clients in a wide range of market sectors including Shell Lubricants, EDF Energy, Rolls-Royce and Vodafone.