Local Business Spotlight: SDR Engineering

The Power of a Capability Statement

About the Commission-Funded Capability Statement Project

The Peel Development Commission funded a pilot program delivered by IPS Management Consultants to help eight local businesses in the Peel region create professional capability statements. Each business received tailored, one-on-one support to develop a statement that showcases their strengths, services, and readiness for new opportunities—including tenders and grant applications. The project aimed to boost the competitiveness of local businesses, making it easier for them to apply for government and private sector work, and setting a foundation for future growth.

Local Business Spotlight #4 – SDR Engineering

Interview Q&A

• • How has having a formal capability statement impacted your business so far?
    We’re currently in the middle of a significant expansion transition, and the capability statement has been an important part of this process. Not only do we now have an improved capacity to produce a higher volume of products and jobs, we now also have that increased capability captured into a really concise document that makes it a lot easier to show prospective clients. We would have struggled to be able to demonstrate that otherwise. It has definitely provided more credibility. We know how good our work is, but until a client has experienced that, it’s been hard to communicate what to expect.
  • How do you plan on measuring the success or impact of using this capability statement?
    We expect to be able to attract new customers with this statement, because our existing clients are already pretty familiar with what we can do. But even with those existing clients, it’s great to be able to show them how much more we can do now than before. For prospective clients, this statement gives them the opportunity to gain an insight into the business. It’s a great lead in to get to know us and what we do, and so we will measure how many prospectives convert into clients after presenting them with the capability statement, and then the value of work completed for those new clients.
  • Has the capability statement opened doors to new clients, partnerships, or contracts?
    Yes indeed – it has been presented a number of times. Having this capability statement means that I can confidently approach a new contact or referral with something to show them.
  • How do you plan to use the capability statement?
    We will soon be launching a new social media campaign that will incorporate showcasing the capability statement and its content. As well as that, I will be reaching out to prospective clients in our industry that may not yet be aware of our services.
  • What advice would you give to other small businesses considering investing in a capability statement?
    It’s really important to get very clear on the company’s vision, mission and purpose. It was a challenging exercise, but having these statements as a touchstone means that our operational, financial and succession planning takes us to the next level.

    
    The best way to craft these statements was simply to focus on the solution that we provide to our client’s problem.

    With this information, the investment provides credibility and branding that is difficult to demonstrate any other way.

  • Do you have any upcoming opportunities where the capability statement will be a key asset?
    I will soon embark on a campaign to hit the road – to go and see people once we’re all set up. This capability statement will be a really important document to share with the industry.
  • How has this funded statement by the Commission changed how you see your business’s potential or future?
    If this was not made available to us through the funding from the Peel Development Commission, we possibly would have overlooked the opportunity and not realised how valuable it is. We had been wanting to do this for a while, but it was hard to find the time to pursue it.
  • Were there any challenges you faced while developing your capability statement?
    Yes, indeed! Finding the narrative took a bit of soul searching. But even harder than that was finding the time to focus on it. Being caught up in the day-to-day work is hard to break away from, to find the headspace for working “on” the business. Once I made that effort, it was very much worth it to have this result in the end.

   

About SDR Engineering

Founded in Waroona in 1995, SDR Engineering is a family grown precision machining and steel-fabrication firm that keeps Western Australia’s agricultural, industrial,  earth-moving and mining operators productive. What began with a single manual lathe in a backyard shed has expanded through steady reinvestment in new machinery and skills into a modern workshop employing six full-time tradespeople, generating 20% increase in annual turnover in recent years.

Contact them on 0417 947 752 or email info@sdrengineering.com.au

View Capability Statement here