Why should a business join a trade association? This question is frequently asked by senior executives and the answer invariably focuses on what benefits the member is likely to derive from membership. Different businesses will put different values to the benefits on offer, so it is often the primary advantages that will attract most businesses to join a trade association.

There are several business organisations that represent companies in the UK’s manufacturing sector. The MTA, for example, has long championed the representation of engineering-based manufacturing companies to government, the media and the general public. However, the MTA’s mission is much wider than just representation; the Association exists to provide services of value to help member businesses prosper, encourage innovation and to promote the use of advanced technology in engineering based manufacturing industry.

To achieve its mission the Association delivers a number of key objectives. Providing support, facilities and business advice for members dovetails with creating networking opportunities to foster the sharing of best practice. The Association places a high value on providing timely industry information and relevant economic data; indeed it employs its own statistician to co-ordinate the latter. The MTA seeks to encourage talent through funding and supporting workplace training.

The body also recognises the importance of fostering the next generation in the engineering-based manufacturing sector by leading education initiatives in schools, colleges and universities. The Association also has a special role in organising MACH, which it has done for the past 100 years, a major exhibition catering for the manufacturing technologies sector.

Finally, the MTA represents the manufacturing and advanced engineering sector through liaison with government, the media and other stakeholders.

In common with other trade associations, it offers additional membership benefits through partnership agreements with external service providers. For example, MTA members can benefit from the Business Support Helpline provided free of charge by Croner. Typically, the advice offered can include guidance on aspects of: Tax, environmental management, health & safety and human resources. A further service offered through Croner is Business Compliance Assistance to help businesses operate effectively. This online reference source provides businesses with a detailed and comprehensive view of UK legislation, regulation and best practice. The MTA has also teamed up with Towergate Risk Solutions to offer commercial and personal insurance for members at discounted rates.

MTA members report how they have developed their businesses, found solutions as well as saving money through the benefits offered by membership of the Association. An important role that the organisation provides is the staging of networking events either by itself or together with an industry partner. In the past year the MTA, for instance, has organised a supply chain development day at Messier Bugatti Dowty’s factory in Gloucestershire. It was attended by over 40 Association members and was found to be beneficial to all parties involved. Similarly, this summer the MTA partnered with Findlay Media and JCB to organise an Access OEM day at the construction equipment manufacturer’s Staffordshire headquarters. Leading trade associations such as the MTA will also provide set piece networking opportunities like an annual dinner, an annual lunch and and opportunity to socialise with other members before and after the Annual General Meeting. 

As part of a trade association’s activities members can benefit from attendance at key events during the year. For many years the MTA has organised a Parliamentary Reception at the Palace of Westminster allowing members to meet MPs who represent their constituencies and peers who take an interest in the manufacturing sector. As part of the Association’s dissemination of industry intelligence, MTA members also benefit from attending the annual Forecast Seminar which charts economic and performance trends of interest to the sector.

A particular success with MTA members this year has been the introduction of the Members Quarterly Meeting. The format for these themed events has allowed for a visiting speaker to set the scene and for one or two members with related experience to share their thoughts with the wider membership. The audience then splits into workshop groups to explore an aspect of the theme in more detail. Finally, the groups report back in a plenary session and an interactive voting system is used to poll opinion on key questions.

A trade association is more than the sum of its parts. Membership provides many valuable benefits and a good association will inspire members to contribute to its continued success.