Case Studies
At Scottish Enterprise, we've spent years working with some of Scotland's most ambitious companies, helping them to become more efficient, attract investment, develop ideas and enter new markets overseas.
But don't just take our word for it – why not hear it, first-hand, from the businesses that we've helped along the way? Here's just a few of the ways we've helped businesses in the past.
"SMAS acted as guides rather than leaders. Their independent view of our production processes meant we had a fresh pair of eyes, so that they were able to recognise new areas that could be improved on."
Angus Horne
Managing Director
Horne Engineering
After working with Scottish Enterprise, Horne Engineering was put in touch with SMAS to help improve the efficiency of the company. Find out how SMAS improved factory floor space utilisation by 40% and improved processes for this Johnstone-based engineering firm.
"A small company that's very busy has lots of issues to address and so it's not always obvious where you can turn for help. We would absolutely recommend Scottish Enterprise – it's been fantastic."
John Donald
Robop Managing director
Robop
See how Robop, manufacturers of robotic peregrine falcons from Tranent, improved production planning, manufacturing and component sourcing with the help of Scottish Enterprise.
"He has given us full support, understands our business thoroughly and meets us regularly. He's not a box-ticking man – he really wants to understand the business, and even sits in on our board meetings."
Iain Robinson
H2Ology managing director
H2OLOGY
By seeking expert advice and financial assistance from Scottish Enterprise, Selkirk-based 'H2Ology' developed and marketed new innovative products with the help our one of our expert advisors. Find out more.
"I can only say good things about Scottish Enterprise. They have been fantastically helpful and they grasped the significance and potential of this very quickly. We have found them to be extremely positive and very, very supportive."
Dr John Gilchrist
Gilden Photonics managing director
Gilden Photonics
Scottish Enterprise worked with Gilden Photonics shortly after their start-up stage in 2005 to bring a new product to the market. Read how support from Scottish Enterprise help develop this product and ensured that Gilden Photonics secured a 40% price advantage over their nearest rivals.
"There is absolutely no way we could have been able to do this without Government grant money and Scottish Enterprise support. Scottish Enterprise was very helpful."
Giles Laverack
Scotia Seeds Managing Director
Scotia Seeds
After contacting Scottish Enterprise for support, Scotia Seeds were awarded R&D funding from the SMART and SPUR schemes, and supported by Scottish Enterprise to put it to use. Find out more about how we helped this Brechin-based agricultural firm.
"We found SMAS to be inspirational and their work was very, very useful."
Bob Muir
CB Technology director
CB Technology
After contacting Scottish Enterprise, SMAS were brought in to develop a new planning system to allow resources to be more effective and to improve workload management at this Livingston-based, circuit-board technology manufacturer. Read the full story here.
"SMAS's support was focused on common objectives reinforced with a desire to deliver the improvements"
Jim Norton
Continuous Improvement Manager
Burton's Biscuits
By working with SMAS, find out how Edinburgh-based Burton’s Biscuits, the second-largest biscuit manufacturer in the UK, learned how to manage and control product waste more effectively. Read more here.
"It has been a long relationship with Scottish Enterprise, and one that’s been very fruitful for us – for them too, I hope!"
Rory Young
Director
Glaisters
Dumfries-based Glaisters sought and secured help and advise from Scottish Enterprise with both cost of researching and feasibility of re-usable trees and with building an online presence to develop and market their Christmas Tree Enterprise. As a result, demand has boomed. Find out more.
"Scottish Enterprise's contribution meant that we could get to market much more quickly. The extra percentage meant that we could put more engineers on the job and lab test things faster –and that, in turn, gave the market confidence in us."
Bill Simpson
Corporate Affairs Director
Alexander Dennis Ltd
Innovative research and development support from Scottish Enterprise helped Alexander Dennis Ltd develop a new generation of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. In just five years, with the help of Scottish Enterprise, the Falkirk-based engineering company has gone from near-demise to market leader. Read more.