Made To Grow: The SME Manufacturing Podcast

In this episode of Made to Grow, Rich Dale is joined by Nishant Raj, founder of Value Chain , for a practical and wide-ranging conversation about what AI — and specifically agentic AI — actually means for SME manufacturers and their supply chains. Supply chains have never been under more pressure. From pandemic disruption to global conflict to skills shortages, the old ways of managing supplier re...

In this episode of Made to Grow, Rich Dale is joined by Stephen Ottaway, Managing Director of Korvus Technology, for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to grow a small manufacturer from a standing start into a scaling business. Korvus has grown from half a million pounds in revenue and a team of four to nearly four million pounds and eighteen people in just a couple of years. Step...

In this slightly different episode of Made to Grow , the tables are turned as regular collaborator and returning guest Angela Fumpson interviews Rich Dale about what really makes digital transformation succeed in manufacturing businesses. The conversation goes beyond software features and implementation plans to focus on the human side of change - leadership, vision, team buy-in, process clarity a...

In this episode of Made to Grow , host Rich Dale is joined by Rich Webley , founder of Framework Twelve , to explore why marketing so often underperforms in SME manufacturing businesses. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience leading and fixing marketing functions in manufacturing, Rich explains why marketing problems are rarely caused by a lack of effort or ideas. Instead, he argues that many b...

The first episode of Made to Grow for 2026 tackles a topic that’s moving fast from “worth keeping an eye on” to a real, practical issue for UK manufacturers: CBAM – the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism . Rich Dale is joined by Rebecca Meadows to explain what CBAM actually means for UK and EU supply chains, why 2026 is the year to prepare, and how better data, systems and reporting can turn regul...

About the Guest Fred Copestake is a sales trainer and consultant at Brindis with 25 years’ experience across 38 countries, training 10,000+ salespeople. Author of Selling Through Partnering Skills (2020), Hybrid Selling , and Ethical Selling (2024), he helps engineering and manufacturing teams adopt collaborative, problem-led selling that supports sustainable growth. Key Topics in This Episode Why...

In this episode of Made to Grow , Rich Dale speaks with Mark Wood , Managing Director of Alliance Procurement Solutions, about how SME manufacturers can unlock real improvements using the data and systems they already have. Drawing on his 20+ years of experience, including time at Rolls-Royce, Mark shares practical ways to use better procurement, reporting, and decision-making to cut costs, boost...

For many SME manufacturers, scattered spreadsheets, disconnected systems, and the challenge of bringing teams along on the digital efficiency journey can be overwhelming. This episode addresses these issues by introducing the Fearless Digital Transformation framework . In this special episode, we share a recent Flowlens webinar recording where our host, Rich Dale , CEO and founder of Flowlens (wit...

For many small manufacturers, security only becomes a focus when something goes wrong. But with bring your own device becoming more normal for all sorts of businesses, the growing reliance on subcontractors, and increasing digital complexity, the risks are harder to ignore.  In this episode of Made to Grow, Rich speaks to Luke Appleby from Equilibrium Risk about how manufacturers can take a sensib...

Digital transformation isn’t just about the tech. It’s about people. In this second part of our conversation with quality consultant and change management expert Angela Fumpson, we move from planning to execution—what actually happens when you try to roll out meaningful change in your business. If you’ve ever struggled to get new systems to land, or if your team seems resistant to change, this epi...

Change management is one of the biggest challenges in manufacturing and business transformation. Many organisations struggle to implement new systems or processes effectively—not because the technology doesn’t work or the cost is too high, but because people instinctively resist change. In this episode of Made to Grow , we explore why change management programmes often fail and offer some expert t...

In the first episode of Season 3 of Made to Grow , we dive into succession and exit planning —a critical but often overlooked aspect of running a business. Many SME founders find themselves deep in the day-to-day operations, without a plan for how to realise the full value of their business when the time comes to sell, transition, or step back. Introducing Our Guest: Richard McMullan Joining host...

In the latest episode of "Made to Grow," we delve into how DD Scientific, a leading manufacturer of gas sensors, has harnessed the power of continuous improvement, automation, and data-driven insights to propel its growth and success. Hosted by Rich Dale, CEO of Flowlens, this episode features an enlightening conversation with Rob White, Director of Excellence at DD Scientific. Rob shares practica...

In this episode of Made to Grow , host Rich Dale is joined by Marv Van Niekerk, COO of Flowlens, and Holly Steele-Nicholson, Customer Success Lead at Flowlens , to discuss the importance of data strategy and dashboard integration for small manufacturers. Together, they explore the transformative impact of MRP software and effective data management on SMEs’ operations, from improving decision-makin...

In this episode of "Made to Grow," Rich welcomes Nishant Raj , CEO of Value Chain , to explore the challenges SMEs face in managing upstream Scope 3 carbon emissions. Nishant shares insights on how SMEs can integrate sustainable supply chains and leverage digitisation to meet growing demands for environmental accountability. Guest Overview: Nishant Raj Nishant Raj is the CEO of Value Chain , a B2B...

In this episode of "Made to Grow," we welcome back Tom Hughes, Managing Director of GembaDocs . Tom discusses the crucial role of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in manufacturing, particularly for SME manufacturers. He shares how GembaDocs simplifies the creation and implementation of SOPs, helping businesses streamline workflows, enhance training, and foster continuous improvement....

In this episode of "Made to Grow," we welcome Oliver Caunt, Managing Director of JCS Nuclear Solutions. Oliver shares the story of his family firm JCS, a small manufacturing business founded in 1975 that has evolved into a leading provider of nuclear radiation sensing and shielding solutions. In this episode, Oliver shares how JCS navigated its digital transformation journey, overcoming...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Made to Grow," we sit down with Sam Baynham, Managing Director of Conex Portal, a vibrant UK-wide community dedicated to connecting and empowering SME manufacturers and engineering companies. Sam sheds light on how peer-to-peer networking and collaboration are revolutionising the SME manufacturing sector, helping businesses overcome common challenges and seize...

In this insightful episode of "Made to Grow," we engage with Will Kinghorn, a Digital Adoption Specialist with Made Smarter UK, to explore the transformative impact of digital technology on UK SME manufacturers. As digital transformation becomes an increasingly vital part of manufacturing in all sectors, Will shares valuable insights into how the Made Smarter program is enabling business...

Today, we're joined by Nathan Peele of Denatec, a high-tech manufacturing firm that, against all odds, soared from its inception to a turnover of over £3 million in just three years. As Denatec stands on the cusp of global expansion, Nathan reflects on the pivotal moments and strategies that propelled their journey and how they used the tumult of a global pandemic to their advantage.  From the...

In the latest episode of "Made to Grow," we explore the transformative world of the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH), a pioneering initiative designed to empower SMEs by unlocking the full potential of their data. With the digital age demanding more from manufacturers in terms of decision-making and productivity, SMDH is championing innovation - offering tools, resources, and support...

In an era where attention spans are dwindling, and the digital landscape is saturated with content, the challenge for SME manufacturers to stand out and effectively engage with their audiences is more daunting than ever. The need for content that captures attention and supports various facets of the business—from sales processes to recruitment and customer service—is critical. In this first episod...

In this insightful final episode of "Made to Grow" season one, we address a common pain point in the manufacturing industry: the isolation often felt by leaders in this sector and its impact on future growth.  This episode introduces the Manufacturers' Alliance, an organisation that counters this isolation and facilitates knowledge sharing and industry collaboration by fostering robu...

Are you an SME manufacturer in the UK struggling with a growing skills gap in your industry? Then this episode of Made To Grow is a must-listen. Angela Lawlor joins host Rich Dale to discuss the critical issue of the skills shortage in UK manufacturing. They discuss the lack of awareness among school students and career leaders about the manufacturing sector and the impact this has on the industry...

Are you an SME manufacturer in the UK still relying on spreadsheets and manual processes? If so, this episode of Made To Grow is essential listening. Mark Tooby , an accountant and expert in cloud-based systems, joins host Rich Dale to discuss the transformative power of digitalisation. Together they discuss the importance of financial literacy for leadership, staff engagement in change, the value...