Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map

 

 

Manufacturing efficiency brings results for Highlands and Islands Businesses

17th June 2011

Thirty manufacturing projects delivered in the Highlands and Islands last year have helped generate £1.9 million in productivity.

The figures are being released by the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) which works across the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise areas.

Advisors work with businesses of all sizes to provide manufacturing reviews to businesses across a range of sectors, as well expert advice, one-to-one support, training and events.

Of the Highlands and Islands businesses working with SMAS over the past year 50% have been food and drink companies.

Charlotte Wright, director of business and sector development at HIE, said: "Highlands and Islands businesses involved in manufacturing high quality goods are increasingly looking at the opportunities presented through national and international markets. At the same time it's important to look at how they can manufacture these orders more efficiently. Working together HIE, Scottish Development International, Scottish Enterprise and the dedicated team at SMAS can provide a joined up service to ensure we make the most of our opportunities."

"A range of innovative businesses and social enterprises across the region have worked with SMAS to explore new ways of working. Some of these include Orkney Herring, Caithness based Reids Bakery, Connage Dairy near Ardersier, Ness Soaps in Inverness, Moray Seafood and Isle of Mull Soaps."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

10/12/2025
How Development and Innovation Have Been Supported in the Highlands & Islands Over the Past 60 YearsThumbnail for article : How Development and Innovation Have Been Supported in the Highlands & Islands Over the Past 60 Years
For 60 years, the Highlands and Islands have been the focus of one of the UK's most distinctive long-term regional development efforts.   Since the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) in 1965—and its evolution into Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 1991.  
9/12/2025
Planning consent granted for Inverness Campus
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been granted planning permission in principle to progress the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus.   The consent is subject to a Section 75 agreement being finalised between HIE and The Highland Council.  
9/12/2025
Island Business Resilience Fund expansion
Businesses affected by ferry disruption in Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Mull, Iona, Ulva, Barra, Vatersay, Islay and Jura can now access financial support.   The £4.4 million Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expanding to support more businesses experiencing economic impacts linked to travel issues.  
8/12/2025
What the NC500 Research Projects Are Designed to Do - and Why They Matter for the Highlands
As the North Coast 500 approaches its tenth anniversary, it has become one of Scotland's most well-known tourism success stories.   The 516-mile loop around the far north of the Highlands has been celebrated internationally, marketed as a world-class road trip, and credited with transforming visitor numbers in some of Scotland’s most remote areas.  
28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economyThumbnail for article : Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy.   Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.  
25/11/2025
Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prizeThumbnail for article : Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.  
25/11/2025
The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thriveThumbnail for article : The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thrive
Scotland's enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise) The Scottish AI Alliance and The Data Lab have joined forces to plan and deliver an inspiring and educational Rural AI Roadshow.   There will be three, one day, Rural AI Roadshow conferences taking place across Scotland in January 2026.  
25/11/2025
Digital and AI innovation round-up for NovemberThumbnail for article : Digital and AI innovation round-up for November
Scotland's digital future is accelerating, with AI and tech innovation transforming businesses.  In this blog, HIE's Theresa Swayne shares November insights on funding, leadership, and how organisations can harness technology to stay ahead.  
25/11/2025
Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economyThumbnail for article : Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economy
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures.   The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.  
19/11/2025
Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To DownloadThumbnail for article : Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To Download
Scottish Enterprise's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide provides an overview of more than 150 organisations that support new and growing companies in Scotland.   The guide includes incubators, accelerators, specialist industry programmes, co-working spaces and networking organisations.  

 

0.0105