Memorandum from MacTaggart Scott &
Company Limited
MacTaggart Scott & Co. Ltd. is a privately
owned engineering company employing approximately 250 people in
Loanhead which is on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Since the formation in 1898 MacTaggart Scott
has been involved in the design, manufacture and support of innovative
bespoke engineering equipment for both submarine and surface ship
naval application.
MacTaggart Scott has supplied high integrity
submarine equipment since the earliest days of submarines in Royal
Navy service. The equipment covers a broad range of electrical,
electronic, hydraulic and mechanical handling systems including
retractable periscope and sensor masts, emergency propulsion systems
and high torque, low speed, quiet hydraulic motors and pumps capable
of operating both inside and outside the pressure hull.
Today the company is an acknowledged leader
in the design and supply of specialised handling equipment for
both above and below water naval markets and it has used its selection
and supplier status to the Royal Navy to achieve significant export
success in the rest of the world. Company turnover for the last
trading year was approximately £30 million with 60% of this
output deriving from export business.
KEY ISSUES
AND CHALLENGES
(a) Retention of skills and experience in
both design and manufacturing personnel to fulfil the special
requirements of the sub-sea environment.
(b) Maintaining the investment levels in
research and development and training to develop new concepts
and to continue to attract new engineering blood into the industry.
(c) Retaining and growing export market business
to afford the investment in R&D and training.
(d) Maintaining continuity of participation
in existing and new generation Royal Navy equipment programmes
to consolidate status in export markets.
(e) To develop further the progress achieved
to date from the Astute Key Supplier Forum. To use continuity
of existing and future submarine programmes to achieve improved
design focus, greater efficiency, lower costs and better affordability
arising from a more open and less confrontational procurement
environment.
6 November 2006
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