The context and setting the scene [National Manufacturing Debate]

How can we enhance supply chains to help SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to grow?. When large companies prosper, they need small companies to help them fulfil new orders on time, but opportunities for SMEs in the UK are often missed when contracts come live, because they are not ready to ramp up production, more capital expenditure is required, accreditations are not in order or there is a shortage of skilled people to respond to demand. Improving the visibility and communication in the supply chain is at the heart of the debate. There is a need to help these small companies, especially those with fewer than 50 employees. The speaker advocates clusters and industrial collaborations to provide the 'feedstock' of orders.