Draw Insights
RiDraw Insights · Advanced Manufacturing

Smarter Supply Chain Assurance for Advanced Manufacturing

Digital twins, AI, additive manufacturing — advanced capabilities need advanced assurance. We're looking for a Tier 2 defence manufacturer to partner on an Innovate UK-funded feasibility study. Zero cost to you. Real impact.

15-20%
Supply chain effort wasted
3-5x
Repeated audits per year
£8.2bn
UK defence manufacturing
Innovate UK Competition #2384 · Grant-Funded Feasibility Study

The Problem Every Supplier Recognises

Every time a new prime contractor or Tier 1 walks through your door, you prove the same things all over again. Quality systems, process capability, material traceability — the same evidence, repackaged for different customers.

15-20%
of supply chain effort
wasted on duplicated auditing and evidence requests
3-5x
repeated audits per year
different customers, same questions, same evidence
£8.2bn
UK defence manufacturing
supply chain facing these challenges at every tier
Today: Repeated Audits
Your Company Customer 1 Customer 2 Customer 3 Customer 4 Customer 5 5 separate audits same evidence each time
With TIP: Prove Once
TIP Evidence Chain Customer 1 Customer 2 Customer 3 Customer 4 Customer 5 1 assessment, 5 customers full audit trail

The core issue: there is no standardised way for a Tier 2 manufacturer to prove their capability once and share that proof securely with multiple customers. Every new relationship starts the audit clock from zero.

Evidence-Based Assurance

RiDraw's methodology maps your manufacturing capability across five dimensions, then structures the evidence into a reusable, auditable chain. Prove once. Share with confidence.

Operational Evidence

Evidence digital twin adoption, AI integration, and additive manufacturing capability — structured once, shared with confidence across the supply chain.

Strategic Readiness

The same evidence that proves operational capability also demonstrates innovation readiness — technology validated in a relevant environment.

The Bridge

Five Elements maps your capability. TIP structures the evidence chain. One methodology that reads operationally and strategically.

FIVE ELEMENTS 🎯 Purpose Place Habitat Environment Organisation

The Five Elements

🎯

Purpose

What you make. Component specifications and requirements.

Place

Where you make it. Facility capability and capacity.

Habitat

How you make it. Production lines and processes.

Environment

The rules you follow. Quality, regulatory, standards.

Organisation

How you govern it. Management systems and oversight.

The TIP Evidence Chain

One lens. Two readings. Zero new paperwork.

Operational Reading

Tasks

What needs doing,
who owns it, by when

Initiatives

How tasks group into
deliverable workstreams

Proof

Evidence it's working
(auditable, shareable)

Strategic Reading

Technology

Digital twins, AI,
additive manufacturing

Investment

Funding alignment,
measurable ROI

Performance

Outcomes evidenced,
capability proven

The same three-letter framework carries two readings. Operationally, TIP is Tasks · Initiatives · Proof — the evidence chain that reduces duplicated audits. Strategically, TIP is Technology · Investment · Performance — the lens for funding alignment and innovation readiness. One assessment. Multiple customers. Full audit trail.

Benefits for Participating Companies

As a participating end user in this Innovate UK feasibility study, your company receives:

£

Zero Cost

The Innovate UK grant covers 70% of project costs. There is no financial contribution required from your organisation. None.

Reduced Audit Burden

Early access to a methodology designed to reduce duplicated supplier audits by 15-20%. If it works, your team gets time back.

Innovation Credentials

Named participant in an Innovate UK-funded innovation project. Strengthens your SC21, JOSCAR, and customer profiles.

Minimal Time Commitment

2-3 half-day workshops over 6 months. We do the heavy lifting. You provide the real-world context.

Shape the Future

Influence how supply chain assurance works for SMEs. Your feedback directly shapes a tool designed for companies like yours.

No Lock-In

This is a feasibility study, not a product subscription. Your participation is through a non-binding Letter of Intent.

How It Works

Four steps from initial interest to results. We handle the application. You bring the real-world context.

1

Express Interest

Download the brief. If it resonates, provide a short Letter of Intent.

2

We Apply

We submit to Innovate UK by 11 March. Your LOI is part of the application.

3

Feasibility Study

If funded: 6-month study. 2-3 workshops at your site. We test the methodology.

4

Results & Next Steps

You receive the findings. If it works, you get first access to the developed tool.

Interested?

We're looking for one Tier 2 UK defence manufacturing SME to participate. If you hold AS9100, ISO 9001, or JOSCAR accreditation and supply into the defence supply chain, this could be for you.

Get the Full Brief

What: Innovate UK Feasibility Study — Supply Chain Assurance
Cost to you: Nothing
Time: 2-3 half days over 6 months
Deadline: Letter of Intent by 5 March 2026
View Partnership Brief

Prove It on RiDraw Exchange

Exchange is where defence supply chain evidence is structured, shared, and verified. See how TIP turns assurance from paperwork into proof.

Explore Exchange →
Create & Share
Exchange
Prove it. Share it. Act on it.
Read
Insights
Operational intelligence
Services
RiDraw
We listen. We see. We draw.