The client, a well know international provider of technical and quality services provided services to UK manufacturing customers from four regional UK bases. The teams were managed by regional managers and deployed from independently operated bases. The qualifications and makeup of the teams required to carry out the work was governed by strict industry and regulatory rules which resulted in a national shortage of suitably qualified staff. The market for the statutory services was stable though cyclical and very cost sensitive, it was also extremely competitive with low margins exerting quality pressures. See also Strategy and People studies.