Can your manufacturing business use support provided by SMAS?

While the manufacturing sector continues to play an important part in Scotland’s economy, it has been subject to a great deal of change in recent years. In order to help our clients thrive, our EQ Engineering & Manufacturing team offer a series of specialist services and advice – from business strategy and corporate finance, to audit and tax advice.

We have also developed relationships with various contacts in other professions like banks, solicitors, and government bodies. One of these contacts is with the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) – a specialist team in Scottish Enterprise. Established in 2004, SMAS provide small and medium sized manufacturers with practical support and advice on process improvement techniques, best practice and can support the introduction of new manufacturing technologies.

For those unsure how the process works, our EQ Engineering & Manufacturing team give a brief overview of the various stages below.

Enquiry

The first step is to provide details of your business and the specific details and challenges faced by submitting an enquiry form or call the number found on the Scottish Enterprise website. The SMAS team will review the information and establish a route of support specific to you, whether it is provided by themselves or other business contacts via their referral system.

Manufacturing Review

The next stage is considered a “health check”. Representatives from SMAS will make on-site visits to your premises to help them to make a diagnostic review. Once the review has taken place, the SMAS team will produce a full report with recommendations for improvements.

It is important to note that the stages mentioned to this point are funded by Scottish Enterprise and are free of charge with no obligation.

Project

If SMAS can help, the next step will continue from their initial report and provide services in areas such as:

• Operational excellence
• Supply chains development
• Leadership and culture
• Industry 4.0 Report with additional diagnostics reviews – machines, IT infrastructure etc. (This is provided free of charge if project goes ahead.)

If consulting with SMAS on a project there is a day rate, however through funding supplied by Scottish Enterprise, it can be discounted by 50% for SME companies.

Referrals

If SMAS believe the support required for the business is better suited to a referral, the next step is to arrange an introduction. These referrals are typically with:

• Other Scottish Enterprise departments or public support agencies (e.g. Skills Development Scotland)
• Universities
• Private companies

For more information on the support available with SMAS, and areas they can help you with, contact your local SMAS Practitioner Steve Aiken, SMAS Regional Lead Practitioner Gary Aitchison or visit the SMAS website.

For more information on how we can support your business, please contact our EQ Engineering & Manufacturing team on engineering@eqaccountants.co.uk or contact one of our offices.