MANUFACTURERS will receive better support under plans unveiled by regional development agency One NorthEast.

The agency is making changes to one of its flagship projects - North East Productivity Alliance (Nepa) Best Practice.

As part of the plans, Nepa will be integrated with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's enhanced manufacturing advisory service.

Other related manufacturing support, such as Energy Resource Efficiency and Design for Manufacturing, will also be delivered via this route.

One NorthEast has also launched a tendering process that will see a management arrangement put in place to provide a comprehensive service to the region's manufacturers.