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 profitability, and reduce inefficiencies.This isn’t about chasing shiny tech or running massive transformation programmes—it’s about spotting low-hanging fruit, improving what you already do, and giving your team the tools to do their jobs better.About Our GuestMark Wood is Managing Director of Alliance Procurement Solutions. With a background in senior procurement roles at Rolls-Royce, Mark now works closely with manufacturing SMEs to improve supply chain performance, streamline business processes, and use data to drive decisions. His approach combines consultancy, coaching, and business intelligence tools to help clients build resilience and grow sustainably.Key Topics in This EpisodeWhat to look for when assessing your business’ appetite for changeWhy process improvement often starts with overlooked dataHow poor reporting leads to missed opportunities—and what to do about itCommon procurement inefficiencies in small manufacturersReal-world savings: case studies of improved margin, time, and sustainabilityHow to make data work harder for your team—not the other way aroundMisconceptions about process improvement (hint: it’s not about cutting jobs)Next StepsIf this episode struck a chord, explore the FEARLESS Digital Transformation framework from Flowlens. It sets out eight practical steps to help SME manufacturers plan and manage their change journey—from foundations and team engagement to systems integration and long-term improvement.Further Reading & Resources📘 Download the FEARLESS Digital Transformation eBook (Free)🌐 Visit Alliance Procurement Solutions🔗 Connect with Mark Wood on LinkedIn💻 Explore Flowlens MRP SoftwareEnjoying the Podcast?If you found this episode useful, please subscribe and leave a quick review on your preferred podcast platform. It helps more SME manufacturers discover Made to Grow and join the conversation.

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