Background
What does competitiveScotland do?
CompetitiveScotland.com is a free networking organisation, and a conduit for expertise from the University of Strathclyde into industry. We provide:
- free membership
- regular events to promote best industrial practice
- "business kit" available via our website - an exclusive collection of online tools to support and develop businesses
In addition, we provide free business support to certain companies (those who meet the criteria set by our funders), drawing on the expertise available within the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (and other departments) at the University of Strathclyde, as well as from our expert partners. This support is designed to increase your company's capability, and there are several channels. Contact us for details. We provide expertise in:
- strategy formulation and development,
- process improvement,
- supply chain management,
- product design and development
- and more.
Some of our support to you is free of charge, some is low-cost. If you are planning major growth we can also support companies through the DTI's flagship Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP): our host department is one of the leading departments in the UK in terms of KTP delivery.
Who runs competitiveScotland.com?
How did it all start?
CompetitiveScotland.com was formed in 2001, to fill the gap left by the demise of the networking organisation SPEED. For 3 years it was funded by Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire and focussed on the electronics sector. It provided a website, an online discussion forum, and also ran events at which members heard presentations from their peers in industry or leading academics. Membership rose from 200 to around 500 people, in 350 companies, by the end of 2004.
Why change?
In 2005 CS was awarded funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Scottish Executive's SEEKIT fund, and the University of Strathclyde Continuous Professional Development fund in order to expand its operations to allow it to improve events and to take knowledge and technology out of the university into industry in a more formal manner.
- Free web resource
- Knowledge and technology transfer to specific organisations
- Facilitation of networking.
At launch date, competitiveScotland has 600 members in over 550 companies and is growing steadily, and has run, independently or jointly, events attended by over 450 representatives from over 60 different SMEs. We have also undertaken knowledge and technology transfer activities with around 30 SME's based in the West of Scotland, delivered by the team and supported by external partners. To find out how we have helped companies, take a look at our Success Stories .
The Competitive Scotland team has recently expanded to allow increased activity in all of the above areas, including this brand new website, launched October 2006. To find out who we are, meet the team.