From busy to effective: focusing improvement where it counts

Image by Kzenon / copyright Shutterstock

Today’s operating environment feels like a constant balancing act. Customer expectations continue to rise, regulatory requirements are evolving, delivery performance is under scrutiny and digital change is accelerating. At the same time, margins remain tight and resources limited.

The question is no longer simply ‘How do we improve?’ but ‘Are we improving the right things?’. What increasingly differentiates high-performing suppliers is not just their commitment to improvement but their ability to prioritise effectively. 

A free diagnostic tool from the Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) Framework helps companies take the first step toward prioritised, effective improvement, identifying quick wins and priority areas.

As Harriet Wollerton, ADS SCS Director, explained: “Many organisations are working hard to improve but the real challenge is knowing where improvement will have the greatest impact. What we see across the aerospace and defence supply chain is that capability gaps often sit in areas companies don’t immediately recognise — particularly in digital enablement, structured improvement maturity and evidencing performance.

"The SCS Framework brings together practical tools and recognised programmes to help suppliers build that capability in a structured way, strengthening resilience and competitiveness at the same time.”

SCS Framework: a strategic response to uncertain times
For over 20 years, SC21 has helped aerospace and defence suppliers strengthen competitiveness through structured continuous improvement, operational excellence and performance delivery. Many organisations across the UK supply chain have grown their businesses using the programme as a proven route to improved quality, delivery and customer confidence.

SC21 is now part of the SCS Framework, a coordinated set of programmes, support and diagnostic tools designed to help companies build performance and resilience, led by trade association ADS. 

Over the last two years, the framework has expanded to incorporate the new international Aero Excellence™ programme and dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Digital tools, providing a broader response to today’s challenges. 

SC21 and Aero Excellence™ focus on developing robust operational control, structured improvement capability and stronger alignment with customer expectations. ESG and Digital support help organisations navigate regulatory complexity, meet evolving supply chain requirements and improve visibility, accuracy and efficiency across operations.

Developed in partnership with industry
The SCS Framework incorporates a broad range of activities and a supportive community, developed through close partnership with customers and an increasingly global supply chain.

Peter Bennet, CEO of Groveley Precision Engineering, said: “SC21 has definitively provided the framework for our success. The first intervention 16 years ago saved us £64k per annum, then include all the savings since, it certainly adds up. Plus achieving 100% on time in full (OTIF) and 99.98% quality keeps our customers happy and coming back. So, using SC21 we have not only survived but thrived.”

Steve Collins, ADS Head of SC21, added: “SC21 helps organisations build the operational discipline and improvement culture that drives consistent quality and delivery performance. The companies that gain the most value are those who take a structured view of their capability and use that insight to prioritise action. That’s what turns improvement activity into measurable business results.”

Rod Wah, Beverston Engineering (Bronze Aero Excellence™) stated: “In 2025, Beverston Engineering undertook a brilliantly challenging Aero Excellence™ assessment. As a result, we saw incredible collaboration between the company teams and now see a notable positive impact on the business, strengthening our operational maturity, reputation and competitiveness in the aerospace and defence supply chain.”

Sarah Barnad, ADS Head of Aero Excellence™, explained: “Aero excellence™, pioneered by Airbus and Safran, is a universal operational excellence standard recognised directly by the aerospace and defence community.

"Most programmes are OEM‑specific but Aero Excellence is doing something different by providing cross‑industry recognition, enabling suppliers to demonstrate maturity to all primes at once, not just one customer.

"Many programmes rely solely on external audits. Aero Excellence explicitly empowers organisations to self‑assess, build internal capability and pursue continuous improvement”



Image courtesy ADS

From activity to prioritised improvement
What increasingly differentiates high-performing suppliers is not just their commitment to improvement, but their ability to prioritise effectively. Digital transformation, ESG expectations, operational efficiency and workforce capability all matter — but not all gaps carry equal risk or opportunity at any given time.

That is why a structured maturity assessment is a great place to start. By stepping back to understand current capability across operational control, people and leadership, quality and so on, leaders gain the perspective needed to focus effort where it will have the greatest impact.

Central to the SCS Framework are our free assessment tools — highlighting where focused effort is most likely to strengthen quality, delivery and long-term competitiveness. 

For organisations committed to continuous improvement, the question is no longer simply whether to improve but where improvement will have the most significant impact.

What to do next
Start by gaining insight. 

For a manufacturer looking to improve delivery and quality performance, start with our Baseline Maturity Assessment (BMA). We also have free assessment tools taking a deeper look into digital enablement and ESG readiness.

Or meet us in person. The SCS team will be in the ADS Pavilion at Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026. We hope to see you there.