Develop products and services
Support for manufacturers
SMAS support for manufacturers
We deliver the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), working intensively with businesses across all sectors and of all sizes in Scotland, from Shetland to the Borders, across the whole manufacturing supply chain.
Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service
Rapid advances in digital technology are transforming the ways we design, build and sell our products and services. At the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), we're here to help manufacturers in Scotland build a sustainable future.
Technology, automation and global supply chain opportunities mean the business world is changing fast. To maintain future competitiveness, it’s increasingly vital you engage your entire workforce in supporting innovation and the adoption of new processes and technology.
We can help your manufacturing business plot a course to take advantage of new opportunities, such as efficiency and cost saving measures, that will increase productivity and boost competitiveness.
Manufacturing in Scotland
Scotland has a high value, high quality manufacturing sector and our diverse business base plays a central role in sustaining and growing our economy.
47% of R&D spend
47% of Scotland's R&D spend is within the manufacturing sector
54% of Scottish exports
Over 54% of Scotland's international exports are from manufacturing
169,000 skilled professionals
169,000 people work in Scotland's manufacturing sector
Why come to us for support?
Our respected team of 22 practitioners are proven industrial leaders who guide businesses through immediate tactical challenges as well as longer term strategic change.
With a minimum of 15 years’ experience in manufacturing, the team has a wealth of knowledge and can connect into an incredible network of support. Their ‘fresh pair of eyes’ approach challenges businesses to prepare and plan for the future.
Our role is to support improvements in productivity, culture and behaviours from the shop-floor to the boardroom. Our improvement projects can be tailored to solve an immediate business issue or focused on a more significant change programme.
We can help you:
Getting started
An Operational Review is usually the starting point for engagement with our specialist team. We’ll identify areas of potential improvement across the business to establish cost savings and efficiencies.
The review will provide you with a plan to measure and improve your operations and manage your capital assets.
Ask about Industry 4.0 Review
Industry 4.0, 4IR, Smart Manufacturing, Manufacturing 4.0 - whatever term you’re familiar with, they all mean the same thing: the integration of traditional manufacturing processes with digital technologies to connect products, people, plant, business and supply chains together.
Our Industry 4.0 Review is a comprehensive assessment of your business to identify where you are now and where you need to be. It will give you an aligned approach towards carefully considered investment decisions to adopt digital technologies in your business.
Do I need to pay for a review?
No. The Manufacturing 4.0 Review comprises two days fully-funded support which is delivered by SMAS practitioners and our digital specialists.
What's involved?
Day 1 - Assess your readiness
A comprehensive assessment of your business to identify strengths and opportunities in six key thematic areas, giving you an aligned approach towards Industry 4.0.
Day 2 - Define your project roadmap
Based on the outputs from Day 1, the road mapping session will identify potential projects that will enable you to go from current state to future Industry 4.0 state.
A bespoke structured report will set out prioritised actions to take forward, along with a discussion on support available from us, industry partners and academia to help you implement your Industry 4.0 improvement plan.
Many Scottish companies have already realised the opportunities Industry 4.0 brings them. So far, we've helped over 400 Scottish companies last year to generate £32.9 million efficiency savings and increase their productivity.
Be part of the new industrial revolution and arrange your Industry 4.0 review now.
Enrol on our Business Improvement Academy
Are changes in your business slower than expected or has your company fallen back into old ways of working?
Embedding a culture of business excellence in your business helps you to be more productive, competitive and outward looking.
Our Business Improvement Academy is a 10-day programme. It's designed to support ambitious and growing businesses that recognise the need to engage with the concept of sustainable continuous improvement tools and techniques with culture and behavioural change.
Future-proof your company
Recent circumstances have challenged the operational resilience of many businesses. But SMAS can help you to better understand your company's potential losses and vulnerabilities.
By developing new resilience strategies, you can reduce the immediate impact of adverse events and recover faster compared to companies with no resilience planning.
SMAS Industry 4.0 report
Around the world, manufacturing businesses are rapidly transforming their operations by adopting digital technologies to change how products are made, creating productivity and competitive advantages.
Since its launch in May 2018, the SMAS Industry 4.0 (i4.0) review has raised awareness of i4.0 concepts among Scottish manufacturers, increasing their ambition to invest in digital manufacturing. And it's helped 180 businesses create their digital road map for the future.
Find out about the findings from these reviews and the significant opportunities it identifies.
Ask our team
If you’re looking to improve your manufacturing process and plan for a sustainable future, get in touch. Our specialist in your area is ready to help.