Manufacturers across the North West are investing £1.9 million in digital technologies to boost productivity, create jobs and accelerate growth, with support from Made Smarter.
A total of 30 manufacturers have secured a combined £604,000 of Government-backed funding to invest in automation, robotics, digital production systems and advanced manufacturing technologies.
The latest projects include Pure Lakes Skincare in Cumbria investing in automated labelling technology, Forest Sofa in Greater Manchester introducing digital fabric cutting, Rustic Tubs in Lancashire expanding production with new manufacturing technology, Glyngary Joinery in Cheshire modernising its timber window and door production, and JFM Workwear in Liverpool City Region investing in smarter manufacturing systems.
Together, the projects are expected to create more than 90 jobs, upskill over 170 existing workers and generate more than £16.4 million in additional growth.
The investments span sectors including food and drink, furniture, construction products, engineering, workwear, battery materials, electrical equipment and industrial machinery, highlighting the diversity of manufacturing across the region.
Donna Edwards, programme director of Made Smarter North West, said: “These projects represent more than £1.9 million of investment in the future of North West manufacturing. Behind every one is a business making a deliberate decision to innovate, grow and become more competitive.
“What is particularly encouraging is that manufacturers continue to invest despite ongoing economic pressures. Digital technologies are no longer a nice-to-have, they are essential to improving productivity, building resilience and creating the skilled jobs that will drive future growth.”
Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers funding, impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops, leadership and skills training, and digital internships to help businesses adopt new technologies and grow. Further funding for technology projects is available for eligible manufacturers across the North West.
The full list of businesses receiving Made Smarter support includes:
In Cheshire:
- Avocet Battery Materials Limited (Crewe), a specialist lithium battery materials manufacturer
- Glyngary Joinery Limited (Warrington), a manufacturer of premium timber windows and doors
- Vebro Polymers (Handforth), a manufacturer of resin flooring and surface coating systems.
In Cumbria:
- Accurite Industries Ltd (Ulverston), a stoneworking machinery manufacturer
- Firpress Printers (Workington), a printing, design, signage and promotional products provider
- Noisekillers Limited (Flookburgh), an automotive soundproofing products manufacturer
- Pure Lakes Skincare Limited (Far Sawrey), a natural skincare and wellbeing products manufacturer
- Sidas UK Ltd (Kendal), a specialist footcare, orthotic and footwear solutions manufacturer
- Todds of Kendal Limited (Kendal), a meat manufacturer.
In Greater Manchester:
- Arden Dies Limited (Stockport), a cutting dies and tooling solutions manufacturer
- Brightside Brewing Company Limited (Radcliffe), an independent craft brewery
- D & M Pattern and Tooling Ltd (Heywood), a tooling and precision-engineered components manufacturer
- Forest Sofa Limited (Salford), an upholstery manufacturer
- Identity Printing (Denton), a garment digital printing manufacturer
- Kane International Limited (Atherton), a test and measurement equipment manufacturer
- Maker Industrial Products Limited (Bury), a contract toll manufacturer
- Massey & Harris (Engineering), Ltd (Stockport), a playground equipment manufacturer
- Orrell Filtration Limited (Stalybridge), a manufacturer of filter sleeves, bulk bags and dust extraction consumables
- Plastube Limited (Stalybridge), a cable management products manufacturer
- PP Graphics (Worsley), a large-format specialist graphics manufacturer
- R&B Switchgear (Manchester), Ltd (Heywood), an electrical switchgear manufacturer
- Saxon Furniture Limited (Bolton), a commercial furniture manufacturer
- Ultimat Defence Limited (Wigan), a protective textile products manufacturer
- Visual Architects (Denton), a manufacturer of creative interiors
- Northpoint (Dukinfield, a manufacturer of powder coating solutions
- Micro Can (Radcliffe) manufacturer of specialist metal packaging solutions
In Lancashire:
- Daleside Fabrication (Carnforth), a specialist metal fabrication and engineering business
- Rustic Tubs Ltd, based in Preston, Lancashire, manufactures handmade wooden hot tubs and plunge pools.
In Liverpool City Region:
- Asset Lifecycle Solutions Limited (Runcorn), a sustainable and secure IT asset disposal provider
- JFM Workwear (Huyton), a branded workwear, uniforms and personal protective equipment supplier and manufacturer.
