Our team
The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) is staffed by manufacturing specialists with a proven track record of troubleshooting across a wide range of technologies and industrial sectors in Scotland.
Find your local SMAS consultant:
Contact us, If you would like to speak to any of our SMAS cosultants.
East of Scotland
Jerome Finlayson
Regional lead practitioner
Jerome is an award winning TPM project leader, with experience working in the food and drink and pharmaceuticals sectors. He has held senior manufacturing management and international consultancy project management roles.
Areas of expertise
- Lean manufacturing
- People and team development
- Application of process improvement tools and techniques with focus on delivery of results
- Cultural and transformational change
- Flexible manufacturing (5S/SMED)
Barry Munro
Barry is experienced in a variety of disciplines (Design, Engineering, Project Management, Product Management) within the manufacturing environment, having held senior key roles in several multi-national organisations supplying products to the automotive, telecommunications and industrial goods industries.
He is practised in the deployment of quality management and six sigma techniques to deliver new products and process improvements.
Areas of expertise:
- Strategic management and marketing
- Innovation and new product development
- Product and process design
- Project management
- Process improvement
David Gardner
Having initially trained as a mechanical design engineer, David subsequently built a highly successful career in manufacturing and operations management. He has held senior positions with several major US and European multi-nationals, many with full P&L responsibility for significant manufacturing operations in the UK and in Europe. He has extensive experience in a variety of manufacturing sectors, including steel and aluminium foundries, defence and commercial electronics assembly, electro-mechanical assembly and plastic injection moulding.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean Manufacture
- Change Management
- Continuous Improvement Culture
- Supply Chain Management
Ian Collinson
Ian has 21 years of industrial experience and has held senior management roles within many sectors of the food and drinks manufacturing industries. He also has 17 years’ experience of quality management systems and continuous improvement exercises within customer facing and KPI driven roles in blue chip multinational companies.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean manufacturing
- People and team development
- Company and supply chain continuous improvement practices
- Quality management systems
- Production management
- New product development and implementation
Richard Henderson
Richard graduated with an Honours Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Glasgow University. Following this, he gained several years experience in a design, research and development environment before moving into the Aerospace Industry. Working within the repair and overhaul of large gas turbine jet engines, Richard gained accreditation as a Six Sigma Black Belt. He performed this role for several years delivering varied, high benefit improvement projects/programmes, subsequently moving into production management where he led the development and production demands of a new logistics Integrator.
Richard’s experience includes leading cross functional teams through significant change management projects. Richard is also a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
Areas of expertise:
- Introducing business improvement framework/strategy
- Six Sigma toolset
- DMAIC methodology
- Measurement System Analysis – GR&R
- Statistical Process Control
- Project Scoping
- Introduction of process measures to understand performance
Stephen Gray
Stephen graduated with a degree in Physics and joined a blue chip multinational Japanese semiconductor manufacturer which practiced many aspects of the Toyota Production System. He has over 24 years of experience in a variety of disciplines (Manufacturing, Production, Planning, Logistics, Engineering and Sales) and has held senior management roles. Stephen has initiated and championed a number of continuous improvement programs including six sigma lean deployments TPM and developed a highly successful Performance Management program.
Areas of expertise:
- Change of Working Practices/Change Management
- Performance Management & Staff development
- Planning Processes
- Quality Management Systems
- Sis Sigma & Lean Manufacturing
- TPM
- Continuous improvement (Kaizen 5S)
- Structured problem solving
Fergus Wilson
Fergus is a graduate in Business Studies from Napier University, and has gained 24 years experience within manufacturing, working for a variety of blue chip organisations worldwide. Initially working within the Mechanical Engineering industry, Fergus transitioned into Manufacturing Management where he led numerous teams at both tactical and strategic level delivering improvement activities, organisational development and new program introductions throughout Europe.
Fergus has gained continuous improvement awards in both America and Japan and has led a wide range of process improvement activity via PRINCE2 Project Management methodology.
Areas of Expertise:
- Lean Continuous Improvement Activity (Kiezen, TPM, 5S)
- Organisational Development
- Development of Key Performance Indicators
- Leading Quality Techniques & Problem Solving
- Statistical Process Control
- BSI/ISO 9002 Quality Auditor
- IOSH Healthy & Safety
- PRINCE2
Alex Harte
Alex has worked across many industries including engineering, electronics and textiles. He worked in the following disciplines: quality engineering, project management, continuous improvement and lean techniques.
He is practised in the deployment of Six Sigma and Lean techniques to deliver process improvements and cost savings.
Alex has recently completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Strathclyde University.
He also has experience in New Product Introductions (NPI) and new start up companies.
West of Scotland
Nick Shields
Regional lead practitioner
Nick has worked across a range of manufacturing environments including electronics, capital equipment and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). He has held positions in engineering and operations management both in multinational and SME businesses.
His experience has been gained through operational management in several areas such as: operations management of high volume FMCG where he was responsible for restructuring the global manufacturing operation across the US, UK and Far East, ERP implementation and green-field factory build for a capital goods manufacturer, new product introduction and product development within the electronics industry and management of a number of change management programmes using lean techniques.
Areas of experience:
- Lean manufacturing
- Organisational change and development
- New product introduction and development
- Quality management systems
- Business planning systems
Agnes Pollock
Agnes' experience has been gained through extensive training, implementation and day to day senior operational management in a large FMCG research and development/manufacturing/retailing company and several SME companies across manufacturing, distribution, engineering, retail and tourism sectors
Areas of expertise:
- Lean manufacturing techniques
- Business improvement consultancy
- Senior production management
- Leadership
- Team development
- Culture change management
Colin Allan
Colin has held senior positions within a world class US multi-national organisation and also UK based organisations, with responsibility for design, manufacturing and operational strategies. Colin has extensive experience in a variety of sectors including: defence and commercial electronics and industrial and commercial electro-mechanical equipment, incorporating design, development and manufacturing disciplines.
Areas of expertise:
- New product development strategies and project management
- Development and implementation of lean manufacturing programmes
- Continuous improvement (Kaizen, 5S)
- Development of key performance indicators to drive forward business performance
- Factory layout and creation of manufacturing cells
Ian Gibson
Ian studied manufacturing engineering at university, which led to career as a development engineer and production manager within the spirits industry. Ian recently gained experience in consultancy, managing large change projects for clients in the petro-chemical, marine and FMCG sectors. Ian’s experience includes leading cross functional manufacturing teams through major change, development and engineering projects.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean manufacture
- Kaizen
- 5S
- SMED
- TPM
- New product introduction
Robert Cowan
Robert's Manufacturing experience has been gained in a number of sectors including Aerospace and Food and Drink.
A degree qualified metallurgist, his experience in manufacturing management includes Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Quality, Project Management and Continuous Improvement.
Areas of expertise:
- Change of Working Practices/Change Management
- Performance Management
- Staff Development
- Planning Processes
- Quality Management Systems
Steven Borris
Steven is the author of "Total Productive Maintenance” and has worked as an independent consultant. He has experience in physics, electronics, high vacuum, high voltage, pneumatics and other electro-mechanical sub-systems gained through working within radiation treatment, nuclear medicine, bio-engineering and surgery; electronics/semiconductors and equipment installation. Steven recently gained consultancy experience within the food and drinks industries.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean manufacturing
- 5S
- SMED
- TPM
- RCM
- Kaizen
- Problem-solving techniques
Chris Chapman
Chris graduated as an RAF Officer and Aerosystems engineer from RAF College Cranwell and worked in armaments strategic weapons and second line servicing of gas turbines and mechanical aircraft systems.
A period spent as a lecturer in aeronautical engineering and Computer Integrated Manufacturing followed. In 1993 Chris decided to start a business supplying custom mechanical tooling to the electronics industry. This involved helping to develop ground breaking design and manufacturing techniques. Chris established companies in Scotland USA and Hungary. Part of the group was sold in 2001 and the remaining company being sold in 2008. Chris has also spent three years as a consultant advising on the integration of Advanced Manufacturing Technology New Product Introduction and strategic development.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean thinking
- Customer focus
- Strategic planning
- New product design and development
Martin Breen
Martin graduated with an Honours Degree in Applied Physics from Heriot Watt University and pending MSc Advanced Silicon Technology and Manufacturing Techniques. He then worked across various semiconductor companies in senior process engineering and continuous improvement positions implementing major global process transfers as well as introducing new quality management systems. He performed this role for several companies making major yield and manufacturing improvements using Lean and Six Sigma DMAIC techniques.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean/Kaizen techniques
- Six Sigma toolset (DMAIC DMADV SPC Design of Ex
Gill McManus
Gill has worked across a range of manufacturing environments in the Automotive, Aerospace Off Highway first and second tier supply including Powder metallurgy, Machining and assembly environments.
Gill has a MEng in Product Design Engineering, and is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE) as well as holding certificates in Operations Management from the Institute of Operations Management (IoM).
Areas of expertise:
- Lean manufacturing implementation at workplace and value stream levels
- Training delivery and toolkit development
- Continuous Improvement
- Employee Involvement
- Application of Lean principles in transactional, service and business processes
- Business evaluation through application of EFQM scoring model, linked to derivation of business and CI plans
- Development of Key Performance Indicators and performance management, goal alignment and policy deployment
North of Scotland
Barry Mole
Regional lead practitioner
Barry was educated to MBA levels with various qualifications in Management, Engineering and QA. He has 19 years experience within a blue chip microelectronics company, developing and implementing continuous improvement plans. Two years change and continuous improvement manager within blue chip food and drink company spreading across European clusters. 20 years experience of people management within middle and senior manufacturing management roles.
Areas of Expertise
- Development and implementation of change programmes and transformational change management.
- Continuous Improvement (Kaizen, 5S, and TPM)
- Development of Key Performance Indicators (QCD) approach to drive forward team performance
- Development of Engineering and Maintenance Strategies including Early Equipment Management systems.
Jamie Sansom
Jamie’s experience has been acquired through operational management and continuous improvement roles within SMEs and multi-national FMCG businesses. Jamie has also worked as a management consultant focusing on operational efficiency within the Scottish manufacturing sector and carrying out due diligence and operational risk programs across Europe.
Areas of expertise:
- Value Stream Mapping
- Layout design and production line philosophy
- Change of working practices / change management
- Lean manufacturing
- SMED
- Bottleneck analysis
- Structured problem solving
John Cadden
John's 23 years of industry experience have been acquired through a number of engineering and senior management roles within the electronics sector. Main focus areas throughout this period have been in Quality, Product Engineering and Project Management with an emphasis on New Product Introduction and continuous improvement of processes for mature products running in high volume manufacturing.
Areas of Experience:
- New Product Introduction
- Project Management (PRINCE2)
- Product Process/Continuous Improvement
- People and Team Development
- Problem Solving (8D)
- Quality Management
Jerry O’Dwyer
Jerry is an Honours Graduate and an Associate in Metallurgy and Materials from Surrey University. He is also an Engineering Industry Training Board (EITB) Fellow in General Management with 33 years experience up to Director level .Originally starting out as a Process Engineer, he has also held posts as Assembly Engineering and QA Manager leading a TQC QIT team deployment in Plymouth. Jerry has coached a team into the Six Sigma finals while managing multiple line start ups. He also set up a design and bespoke manufacturing supplier to the semiconductor industry and latterly was European Product Director for FSI where he helped develop and introduce several new Chemical processing products across Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
Areas of Expertise:
- Business improvement / Excellence
- Problem Solving
- SPC / DOE / Six Sigma methodology
- TOC / Bottleneck management
- Time to market / Manufacturing strategy
- New Product Start up / Transfer
- Project Management
Ian McCormick
40 years experience gained in production and operations management at Technician, Managerial and Director level, with a record of achievement in business improvement, autonomous site management, cultural change, service driven manufacturing and supply chain management.
Expert technical skills include:
- Production management.
- People management & development.
- Lean manufacturing e.g. 5S, SMED & SIC.
- QHSE.
- The management of change.
- Purchasing.
- Demand management & production planning.
- Warehousing & distribution.
Robert Lloyd
Robert’s 25 years of experience have been acquired through a number of Manufacturing Engineering and Management roles with major Aerospace & Automotive companies throughout Europe. Main focus areas have been in Process Optimisation & Automation, Design for Manufacture/Assembly & Project Management with a particular emphasis on Innovation (Winner of IMechE “Thatcher Bros.” prize 2008). Experience has been gained through both New Product/Plant Introduction and Continuous Improvement in relation to new & mature high value/complexitity products running in single piece flow manufacturing.
Areas of expertise:
- Lean Manufacturing
- Design for Manufacture/Assembly
- Innovation
- Product/Process Analysis & Continuous Improvement
- Problem Identification & Solving
- New Product/Process Introduction.
- Project Management
- Quick Change-Over (SMED)
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)