The challenge

Poeton entered the programme as a technically strong and established organisation, but with limited digital maturity and evolving operational processes.

Access to timely, reliable data was constrained, with a continued reliance on paper-based processes and a partially integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, reducing end-to-end visibility and control. In addition, lean practices and standardised process design were not consistently embedded, with operations largely shaped by experience rather than data.

These factors highlighted the need for a step-change in digital capability and more structured, data-driven ways of working to support scalable growth.

How we helped

The support for Poeton, as for other participants on the programme, was broad and deep, covering areas across the lenses of strategy, sales, people, finance and operations.

Within the operations lens, digital transformation was a key priority. This included:

  • Cyber security DSCDP experts supported Poeton on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+), which had a significant impact on the business and its security.
  • The team supported Poeton with review and guidance for ERP procurement, proposals and selection.
  • The Programme helped the business to focus on core priorities for improvement and accelerated digital transformation.

The results

 

The NIST and CE+ engagement has been particularly valuable in clarifying the business’s current cybersecurity posture and its exposure to risk in both existing and future markets. The assessment has helped define clear priorities for strengthening resilience, ensuring that future proposals and activities, especially in regulated or sensitive sectors, are underpinned by credible security standards.

This has also enhanced Poeton’s leadership’s understanding of cyber risk as a strategic business issue, rather than a technical one.

The hands-on support in shaping and issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for the digital transformation of the Operations Management processes is expected to drive tangible financial benefits by improving productivity, throughput, and decision-making accuracy. The uplift in operational performance will, in turn, support future commercial proposals by enabling greater adaptability for pricing.

The selection of a new supplier to support this process will also represent a major modernisation opportunity for the business.

Several new dashboards have been introduced to enhance visibility over performance in productivity, training, capacity, and operational activity.

These dashboards support more accurate planning, quicker escalation of issues, and a stronger performance rhythm across the business. They also complement the improvements in governance by providing consistent, reliable data for Board and leadership discussions

Key areas of impact through DSCDP for Poeton across the lens of strategy, sales, people, finance and operations include:

  • Strategic clarity on sector focus and growth direction, and Poland confirmed as a strategic expansion opportunity.
  • Commercial readiness enhanced through market analysis, clearer sector targeting, improved pricing governance and validated HVOF opportunity.
  • Organisational alignment improved across leadership
  • Stronger financial insight and investment capability.
  • Operational resilience strengthened through EPCM, digital transformation and improved cyber readiness.
There was clear opportunity for our customers to benefit through our digitisation. With thanks to Grant Thornton and the MoD, this programme ensured that Poeton Surface Treatments is ideally positioned to help our customers remain competitive globally.
James Poeton Owner and Managing Director