Business guides listing
Supply chain support
The benefits of supply chain mapping
The international business landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace. Take time to understand which parts of your business may be impacted.
Supply chain disruption
A trade deal between the EU and the UK has been agreed and there are key actions you can take now to ensure your business can adapt to the changing business environment. It's important to assess risks and opportunities, and to know your supply chain options. You may want to find different suppliers from Scotland, the UK, or the rest of the world.
Get support to deal with customs
Since 1 January 2021, it has been mandatory to make customs declarations when exporting and importing goods to and from the EU. You don’t have to deal with customs on your own. If your business doesn’t have the right resources to make customs declarations, you can:
- Hire someone to deal with this for you
- View a list of customs agents and fast parcel operators who can help with submitting customs declarations
Supply chain mapping - what is it and how can it help?
This is a straightforward exercise to help identify risk points in your supply chain. The map helps you see how complex it is and can be used as a starting point for discussions with your teams. They can look at the map and highlight any areas they see as having potential supply chain risks.
It's essential to involve the right people in this activity. For example, you might want to include supply chain managers, buyers, warehouse staff, technical staff and finance staff.
Once you have assessed the risks, they should be prioritised and courses of action agreed upon.
To see an overview of businesses in Scotland, across various sectors, you can check the Scottish Industry Directories website. These lists are regularly updated. The service is run by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International.
If you need help with supply chain mapping advice, contact the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS).
Finding alternative suppliers
Finding and engaging an alternate supplier can seem like a daunting, complicated task. However, when the task is split up into smaller 'bite-sized' activities, you can put them into a logical sequence. This is much easier to follow.
If you would like further guidance on how to find the right supplier for your business, please contact the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS).
The following links can be used to help you identify and assess alternative suppliers:
Supplier directories by sector
With high demand for certain hygiene products, find UK manufacturers and suppliers of these products for your business.
You'll need to speak to companies directly to establish whether they're able to provide the quantities you may need.
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Has created the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS). Companies registered with the scheme have signed a binding declaration that the safety equipment they offer meets the appropriate standards, fully complies with the PPE regulations and is appropriately CE marked. |
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Represents major manufacturers and distributors supplying cleaning and hygiene products in the UK. You can search its online directory of both UK manufacturers and distributors, by product. Products manufactured/distributed include hand care, catering hygiene, soft tissue and PPE. |
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Represents UK producers and manufacturers of some of the major UK hand sanitiser and soap products, including:
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Is the leading trade association representing the UK’s Paper-based industries, comprising paper and board manufacturers and converters, corrugated packaging producers, makers of soft tissue papers, and collectors of paper for recycling. Its member directory includes members who manufacture tissue and hygiene papers. |
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Lists a number of UK and European PPE suppliers. This may includes masks and protective gloves for hygiene or protective purposes. |
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Whether you're looking for suppliers, services, customers or partners, this searchable company directory is your gateway to companies and organisations in Scotland. You can search by industry sector and keyword search and filter results by company name or region. |
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Find UK suppliers by industry, product/service, or company key word. Company profiles feature examples of outstanding projects, and direct contact details of relevant sales and management teams. |
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Find UK buyers or suppliers registered to be considered for public sector contracts. All that is needed before searching is to register for free as a supplier if you are a new user. Go to “Buyers” tab > “Supplier Search” > “Supplier Finder” “Search by Category” also offers a detailed filtering system for finding specialist suppliers in niche sectors. |
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HMRC's searchable database of UK companies exporting to non-EU countries. You may search by commodity code/commodity name, county, year or company name. Information published includes the exporting business name, address and postcode. The 8-digit code and description of goods being exported, and month/year goods were exported. Updated on monthly basis. |
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Independent membership network representing a cross-section of the private, public and social economy sectors. The directory can be searched by sector and region within Scotland. |
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Searchable directory of UK consultants. Can search by sector or service provided. |
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Find solicitors specialising in different areas of law. |
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Directory of FDEA (Food & Drink Exporters Association) members. |
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Full members of the Food and Drink Federation, from large international manufacturers to small organic companies. |
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Provides information on business operators, including activities, key people, strategy and operating data. |
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Searchable directory of food and drink equipment, products and services. |
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Food manufacture.co.uk’s directory of UK suppliers food ingredients, as well as suppliers of packaging and processing equipment. Full contact details provided. |
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Connecting you with food and drink producers from around Scotland. From bread to beer and fish to fresh produce. Shop local and support businesses in your local area. |
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Searchable plastics industry directory, which could be used to find suppliers of machinery, equipment, materials, compounds and plastic parts. |
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Directory of British companies covering the following sectors; menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, health and beauty, accessories, pet accessories, home and garden, food and drink, leisure, technology, manufacturers and business to business. |
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Database of UK garment, accessories, textiles and textile equipment manufacturers. You can search by category, keyword and location, etc. You can also filter the search to manufacturers who offer bespoke contract manufacturing and can offer small quantities. |
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Directory of companies within the UK construction industry, by trade and postcode. |
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Directory of safety equipment manufacturers, distributors, test houses, certification bodies, safety consultancy companies and service providers within the UK safety industry. |
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Leading medical technology industry association in the UK with over 250 members. |
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Directory of members within UK pharma industry.
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AXREM is the UK trade association representing the interests of suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment in the UK. Member directory. |
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UK association for the dental industry. Member Directory. |
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Healthcare association representing the UK's healthcare and assistive technology industry. |
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Public Access Database for Medical Device Registrations - will show all companies who have had to register their medical devices with the MHRA. |
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A database of international companies and their products and services. You can search the directory by company name, category, or service. |
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Member directory for Subsea UK searchable by keyword and category. |
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Directory of members of this oil and gas decommissioning sector organisation. |
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A searchable directory of guild members, which can be used to find contractors, equipment manufacturers, goods & services providers. |
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Scottish supply chain directory searchable by renewable energy sector (e.g. offshore wind, solar) and company type. |
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Comprehensive database of organisations involved in UK wind, wave and tidal energy. Searchable by UK region. |
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Renewable Energy Planning Database
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A list of renewable energy operators involved in renewable electricity projects including those that can be used for combined heat and power (CHP). It is updated at the end of each quarter and tracks energy projects that are 150KW and over. Searchable by technology type. |
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You can search by designer or practice expertise, style, location and budget and browse a selection of designers appropriate for your project. |
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Scottish textiles directory searchable by product, material, sector and location. |
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Supplier directory of UK-based travel and tourism suppliers. |
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Scottish travel trade supplier directory with detailed search function covering all areas of tourism and travel. |
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Directory of Scottish technology companies covering software, telecommunications, IT and digital technology. |
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Business Application Software Development Association (BASDA) |
Membership directory for business software development organisations. Member services cover most core business functions such as operations, development, finance, marketing and HR. |
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KNX is an open standard for commercial and domestic building automation. KNX UK is a partnership of UK-based KNX systems integration consultancies, individual KNX professional partners, manufacturers, wholesalers and training establishments. They all share the goal of promoting the benefits of the KNX standard for integrated, smart building control. |
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