BUSINESS SERVICE USE BY MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN MID-WALES

The use of business services by small and medium-sized independent man ufacturing firms located in the Mid Wales region is quantified. A cros s section of services which provide clients with strategic information and expertise is focused upon; for example, training, market research , and product design. The main concern is with constraints upon the us e of services arising from the location. Internal and external provisi on of services is examined. The source of supply of external services and the use of grant-aided services and services supplied by the Devel opment Board for Rural Wales are considered. Difficulties arising from gaps in service availability or quality are reported. The level of us e of external services by matched manufacturing firms within close pro ximity to a regional concentration of business services in peripheral Northern Ireland is contrasted.