Our Member Companies

S A Partners was established in 1993 by Prof. Peter Hines whilst he was still active in the Lean Enterprise Research Centre (LERC) at Cardiff University.

His role as Director of LERC enabled him to network with many highly influential figures in the burgeoning lean community of the time, and to participate in a number of highly innovative and leading-edge research programmes.

The foundation of S A Partners allowed Peter to build on this and play an active and practical role in working directly with businesses and their sustainable lean journeys.

S A Partners are leading global providers in Lean Consulting, Lean Training, Business Improvement, Shingo Training, and Enterprise Excellence.

S A Partners work ‘in partnership’ with clients. 

Our brand promise is ‘Together, the power to improve’.  We bring this to life through engaging the people across the organisation, alignment of business systems, processes and tasks to the strategy and priorities of the business. We deliver integrated improvement.  In our considerable experience, it is this integration that powers and sustains change.  If you focus on only 1 element, and not on the other 2 – building a sustainable business improvement culture can be an increasingly challenging goal. 

Our service offerings include strategic Assessments of the business, Training, Leadership & Coaching programmes and Solve – whereby we deliver your improvements, or act as interim managers to drive your improvement and change programmes.

We are also affiliated to carry out training for Shingo, Situational Leadership® II, and the Lean Competency System.

S4Si is a strategic risk and advisory business which offers an unprecedented level of current experience across all major operating environments. The founding team has over 200 years international experience working to the highest professional standards with 22 SAS, police forces, intelligence agencies and Tier 1 Law firms and corporates. Highly experienced in specialist areas, S4Si coordinates a wide variety of capabilities to provide innovative and enduring solutions as well as actionable advice on implementation and on-going support thereafter; providing expertise across policy, strategy and operational defence and security, particularly in countries where security sector reform has become a critical national or international priority.

SABRE Ballistics manufactures a complete ballistics test range systems from test guns to instrumentation. Users include MOD (UK), DoD (USA) and organizations in over twenty other countries. Systems for R&D or proof testing of all calibres of ammunition, armour or weapons are available.

SABRE Ballistics range of equipment includes: test guns, weapon rests and ancillaries. Instrumentation products include measurement systems for: breech pressure, projectile velocity; rate of fire; fuze characteristics; accuracy; tracking etc. In addition, Doppler radar systems are available for muzzle velocity and ballistic testing applications. A service use Field Portable Rate of Fire recorder is also available (NATO Codified).

SABRE products comply with NATO, ISO, CIP, SAAMI and NIJ standards where appropriate.

SABRE Ballistics also manufactures a ground/air to ground (strafe scoring) system.

Support consultancy and equipment hire services are available. SABRE also supplies embedded displays (CRT/LCD), terminals, computers and printers. SABRE Ballistics is assessed to ISO 9001.

• Ballistics Testing
• Bore measuring/sighting systems/equipment
• Calibration systems/equipment
• Computer peripheral equipment
• Computers/microprocessors
• Consultancy, electrical/electronic
• Counters
• Data acquisition systems/equipment
• Data display systems/equipment
• Database/Information systems
• Displays, cathode ray tube
• Displays, flat panel
• Displays, Graphic
• Electro-optical systems/equipment
• Hostile fire indicators
• Infantry training aids
• Instrumentation systems
• Microphones, Noise reduction, Sonar
• Miss-distance indicators
• Optical Systems
• Programming/timing systems/equipment
• Radar, muzzle velocity/ballistic test
• Range design/construction
• Range tracking systems/equipment
• Research
• Small arms training equipment
• Software
• Target marking/scoring systems
• Targets, anti-armour
• Targets, infantry
• Test equipment, explosives, fuzes
• Training Systems/equipment
• Velocity measuring equipment
• Weapon alignment/proving/testing systems/equipment
• Weapons training systems/equipment

Part of the Safran group, Safran Nacelles is one of the two main integrators of aircraft engine nacelle systems in the world. With more than 17,000 equipment in service, Safran Nacelles proposes a range of nacelle systems to suit each type of aircraft: regional jets, business jets and commercial aircraft of more than 100 seats for medium- and long-range travel. Safran Nacelles designs, integrates and ensures customer support and services for aircraft engine nacelle systems. The know-how of the 3,800 Safran Nacelles personnel and its unique technological lead means that Safran Nacelles can integrate all the nacelle systems components and thus optimize the aircraft propulsion systems. Safran Nacelles is at the interface between the aircraft manufacturer, engine manufacturer and the airline company. This knowledge of aerospace companies combined with its expertise allows Safran Nacelles to propose unique solutions: nacelle systems which are lighter, quieter, smarter, more electric and easier to maintain.

Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has over 66,000 employees and generated sales of €14.7 billion euros in 2013. Safran invests in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including worldwide expenditures of  €1.8 billion euros in 2013.

Through its global presence, Safran not only enhances its competitiveness, but also builds relationships with the world’s leading prime contractors and operators, while providing local services to customers worldwide. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets: Engines and equipment for air and space; Defence electronics and Security solutions .

 Present for over 80 years in the region, Safran now has close to 3,000 employees working within several companies throughout the UK, including Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Aircelle, Turbomeca, Labinal Power Systems, Safran Engineering Services and Morpho.

Salentis are specialists in leading, designing and producing winning bids and proposals for our clients.  Established in the United States more than 12 years ago, and subsequently introduced into Australia and Asia by our clients, Salentis is now operating in Europe. We achieve outstanding results by hiring the best people in the business, using an effective and agile process, and by placing an emphasis on design and graphics that is rare in the sector. We are unrelenting in our pursuit of excellence for our clients and it shows in our results. 

In addition to our UK resources, we are able to call on around 400 associates world-wide, subject to security considerations. When working in international teams we often exploit our ability to 'follow the sun', with work on a proposal continuing for up to 20 hours a day; this can be a decisive advantage when time is very short, as it often is.

We specialise in proposals for contracts in the defence and security sector, aerospace including satcoms, oil and gas, and logistics. Typical proposals are for contracts in the £10Ms or £100Ms. We are also able to cover smaller proposals if required. Our biggest, so far, was worth £7Bn.

Sales Ignite is a partnership of sales advisers, management coaches, and business development support resources that help senior executives in defence and infrastructure to win their most important bids and to build industry-leading levels of sustainable, profitable growth. As Managing Partner, Ian Forbes brings deep high level sales experience including being a Director of Pursuits at KPMG and EY, Head of Sales for Risk Consulting at KPMG, an Advertising Strategy Director, and an Equity Partner - Head of Strategic Pursuits in Arcadis (a consultancy of 28,000 professionals in the Built Asset sector).  Ian helps senior teams win their most important opportunities and supports them to achieve bidding practice wide success rates for their strategic pursuits of more than 75%. This could be bids worth a few hundred thousand pounds to some of the world’s biggest bids. Recently Ian was sole external bid advisor for a defence organisation bidding on a US$26 Billion bid, considered to be the largest current bid in Europe. 

Salesforce is the world's #1 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. Our cloud-based applications for sales, service, marketing, and more don't require IT experts to set up or manage — simply log in and start connecting to customers in a whole new way. The Salesforce platform provides customers the technology stack to enable a digital transformation.

Samad Aerospace is a company developing an exciting new hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) business jet. Samad Aerospace is founded and led by Seyed M. Mohseni, a serial entrepreneur who has successful background in business world and aerospace propulsion.  With his Aerospace Engineering doctorate and MBA qualifications from Cranfield University, Seyed is forming a group of specialized engineers in the field of aerospace, mechanical, avionics and control/power electronics to go through the design and development of the aeroplane. He has strong connections with Cranfield University and Imperial College which are two main research institutes in the Aerospace field in the UK.   

This aircraft is named the Starling Jet and it will be the world’s first hybrid electric propelled business jet that is capable of vertical take-off and landing like helicopter with the comfort, speed and range of business jet.  The Starling Jet is in the class of light jets with 4 people on board. The fact that the aircraft can be propelled electrically reduces the aviation CO2 emission significantly in the urban areas. 

The Starling Jet will target large corporations, high net-worth individuals and governmental bodies. The total market of business jets is $25 billion and it is going to grow to $33 billion during the next 5 years.  The target cost to the end users is yet to be defined accurately, however the expectation is to deliver the aircraft with price of less than $3.0 m. The current number of customers for light business jets and 4-man helicopters are around 11,000 per year. The executive management of Samad Aerospace are in believe that 5% of the market share can be achieved by the revolutionary concept of Starling Jet with first 5 years into the market.  

Sandbox is an independent SME providing expert support to clients on capability development and assessment matters. We work with MoD and Industry to reach evidence-based decisions across the Land, Maritime and Air domains. 

We have provided operational analysis (OA) support to MoD and Industry. The methods and models used have enabled the assessment of force structures and doctrinal concepts. We have evaluated the contribution of technology options to operational effectiveness. Our firm understanding of evidence, and its generation using appropriate methodologies, have enabled us to analytical policy decisions.

Sandbox has provided systems engineering and programme & project support across a range of tasks. Our personnel have expertise in systems thinking and the design and analysis of systems of systems. We have supported requirements engineering activities and our pan-DLOD experience includes the development of CONEMPs and support to Balance of Investment studies. We have also developed Blueprints for system of systems.

Sanmina makes some of the most complex and innovative optical, electronic and mechanical products in the world. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina provides end-to-end design, manufacturing and logistics solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, computing and storage, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor, multimedia, automotive and clean technology sectors.

Sanmina’s UK cable and assembly capability provides custom design, NPI, full product development, technology transfer compliant to ISO 9001, TS16949 & ISO 14001.

Sanmina has a UK based design team which specialises in raw cable design, cable assembly, PCBA, Plastics and Metal work. This interconnect group offers the customer project specialist design support from concept through detailed design and prototyping to volume manufacturing. Our designs offer custom interconnect solutions or value engineering and DFx (Design for Manufacturability) inputs to existing “Build-to-Print” designs. This enables significant cost savings and provides timely interconnect and packaging design support for your own new product design teams. 

At Santander, we are fully committed to supporting manufacturers and we appreciate that you are looking for something different from your banking and finance partners. The complex nature of your business requires support from a bank that understands your industry, delivers on its promises and will build long-term relationships.

We will work with you to tailor a finance package that will meet all of your needs. We have a range of products available to help you manage your day-to-day cashflow, purchase essential equipment, fund tooling to invest for growth and mitigate financial risks when dealing in both domsetic and international markets.

SATAVIA has built DecisionX, which is an environmental data intelligence platform.   We enable OEMs, MROs and airlines to reduce the financial impact of unscheduled engine and airframe maintenance caused by ice, dust and corrosive air pollution.   SATAVIA's decision intelligence technology is the only solution in the aviation marketplace able to combine and validate multiple environmental, weather and aircraft datasets. SATAVIA can analyse years of historic data in days, to deliver insight into flight operations and maintenance.

In a nutshell, we combine Earth Observation and atmospheric modelling, with knowledge of how particular contaminants affect aero-engines and match that with actual flight paths of any aircraft and any engine.  So we can predict any engine's propensity to wear and unscheduled maintenance with a high degree of accuracy, which will save airlines considerable costs.

Satcom Direct (SD) provides global connectivity solutions for business and general aviation, military, government, and head of state aircraft, as well as land mobile services to areas with connectivity limitations. SD is a premier Inmarsat distribution partner, Iridium service partner, and ViaSat Ku preferred reseller, and its communication solutions are complemented by their divisional capabilities including SD Avionics and SD software solutions. 

Savox Communications is focused on providing professional radio accessories and communications equipment that improves the performance of individuals working in highly demanding environments around the globe. Savox Communications has a unique combination of in-house design, engineering and manufacturing resources which in addition to its own range of branded products, it applies to making radio accessory products for many of the leading Radio and Personal Protection Equipment manufacturers in the world. Serving the Police, Security, Fire, Rescue, Defence, Maritime and Industrial sectors, Savox caters for the needs of the total spectrum of professional radio user. With offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Finland, Luxembourg, USA, China and a network of experienced distributors, Savox provides global support to you and your customers, wherever you are.

SC Skills Limited is a strategy, financial and commercial partner to customer organisations and global suppliers within the Aerospace and Defence, IS/IT services, National Security, CNI, Manufacturing, Logistics, Telecommunications, Public Sector and Consumer Goods. We ensure our clients target the right business opportunities, supported by the right strategy and financial planning to increase success.

SC Skills Ltd. has extensive experience in bringing together our core and extended teams of individuals drawn from our network of independent professionals with aerospace, defence and security. Each individual has a unique set of experience and expertise. Our blended teams work together with our clients, to deliver significant transformation.