4.

Internal Factors Strengths and Weaknesses

4.1.1

Staff Skills

Strengths

Experience and ability to deliver high-value stress engineering at a level difficult for
emerging countries to match at this stage
In-house design capability to allow combined Design and Stress tasks to be performed inhouse

Weaknesses

Not as much spread of specific skill sets as some competitors

Insufficient fatigue and damage tolerance expertise contained within office to lead
projects
There is a lack of CATIA V5 expertise amongst the designers. This is being addressed
through training.
There is limited non-linear expertise amongst the Stress Engineers.

Opportunities

To continue to develop staff and HR processes which will enable us to attract permanent
staff as well as retain existing ones.
To provide attractive working conditions in good location

Threats

Not making enough budget and time available to fulfil the Opportunities above
There is difficulty in obtaining experienced engineers, designers and key staff
There is difficulty in attracting experienced permanent staff that are not contractors
Contractors could leave on short notice

4.1.2

Service

Strengths

Level of quality of service we provide

Ability to communicate effectively with personnel at all levels within our customers
Problem solving capability
Responsiveness

Weaknesses

Not being able to deliver as full a range of service as some other suppliers - see Staff skills
Lack of Airbus Part 4 approval. This can only be achieved through the company expansion
as we are currently not big enough.
We need to create an infrastructure with our key people to support the business and aim
for where we want to be.
Must get the experience level of permanent staff to equal that of senior contractors and
redress the staff / contractor imbalance.

Opportunities

To gain Airbus work through Tier 1 relationship and pursue Airbus Part 4 Approval

4.1.3

Technology

Strengths

Ability to utilise relevant and up to date simulation tools

ICT consultants used to ensure effective maintenance, utilisation and development of all
systems to ensure platform in place to work effectively for our customers

Weaknesses

Lack of dedicated links to customers

Lack of non- linear software to carry out this type of work

Opportunities

Continue to ensure engineers maintain current skills in all new technologies and methods
we can reasonably access

Threats

Unaffordability of any new technologies

4.1.4
Engineering Resources and Deployment, including Social and
Lifestyle Issues
Strengths

High-calibre, pro- active staff

Dedicated staff
Quality of life in area for engineers who live here or are prepared to relocate at outset of
employment
Excellent customer relations

Weaknesses

Not as much spread of specific skill sets as some competitors

Not enough engineers to accommodate all of customer requirements
Because in-house engineers attracted to working in SW Scotland it is difficult to deploy
them to a customers site for more than a few days in order to pick up major work
packages
HR infrastructure and process insufficiently robust. This will be addressed by potentially
employing services of HR consultant, with Scottish Enterprise support.
Too many contractors as opposed to permanent staff. Potential employees more attracted
to bigger firms situated around us, in some instances.

Opportunities

To continue to recruit good quality experienced and graduate engineers

Threats

The possibility of staff going contracting after approximately 5 years of work experience
gained

4.1.5

Budget / Pricing

Strengths

As small company we can have flexible pricing policy to deal with different project types
and customers

Weaknesses

As small company we need to work harder to amortise costs for non-core but essential
functions across our work load
Not knowing competitions rates at times

Opportunities

To clearly identify particular types of work package where we can provide value for
money / not cheap labour
To gain more work paid in Euros

Threats

As small company can be potentially beaten on price in order to win work

Larger companies can offer higher rates in short term to attract stress and design engineers
Low cost labour in many locations world wide which have developing aerospace industries
Staff productivity could impact on profitability of projects

4.1.6

Organisational Structure

Strengths

Clearly defined and maintained organisational structure with each engineer understanding
their responsibilities within the organisation
Clear communication to staff via weekly email bulletins and regular team-briefs

Weaknesses

None

Opportunities

To improve existing structure of the organisation and HR as a tool for encouraging new
employees

Threats

Structure not sufficiently maintained and employees clarity in their role allowed to
diminish

4.1.7

Suppliers

Not of particular relevance apart from engineering resource covered in 5.1.1

Strengths

Dedicated and long-term service from existing suppliers of engineering and design skills

Weaknesses

Not always possible to attract the specialised skill set customers require at short notice.
This is currently an industry-wide issue.
Lack of suppliers who are flexible location- wise

Opportunities

To build relationships with suppliers or other companies with whom Inter-Tec has synergies
who contain some of the specialised skills that are difficult to source

Threats

Experiencing increased difficulty in sourcing the skill sets at point of contract award
Suppliers could leave at short notice

4.2
4.2.1

External Factors Opportunities and Threats

Political / Legal Situation

Opportunities

Government Policy (UK & Scottish)supportive of major aerospace (and defence) projects

Threats

Government Policy (UK & Scottish) non-supportive of major aerospace (and defence)
projects

4.2.2

The economic climate

Opportunities

Existence of a prosperous economic environment during buoyant phase in global economy

Threats

Existence of a non-prosperous economic environment or downturn in global economy such

as currently experiencing is reflected in aerospace design activity
Reduced workload through supply chain from Airbus UK, now owned by EADS
Low cost options from Asia (specifically India)