SME manufacturers have now invested £22m in technology, backed by Made Smarter’s trailblazing adoption programme in the North West.
300 businesses have secured £6.5m matched funding from the government-funded, industry-backed initiative, adopting technologies as diverse as sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence.
These 350 technology projects, supported by £16m private sector investment over the last five years, are forecasting the creation of almost 1,600 new jobs and over 2,850 upskilled roles, and are set to add £242m to the economy over the next three years.
Among the latest wave of 39 businesses starting their journey with Made Smarter to benefit their bottom line and the environment are food and drink manufacturers: Harbourside Products, based in Maryport, Northern Pasta Company (Kendal), Brightside Brewing Company, (Radcliffe), Just Bee Honey (Trafford), Studio Bakery (Clitheroe), and Chandley Ovens (Hyde).
Lifestyle product manufacturers adopting industrial technologies through the programme include: Weaver Dane, based in Northwich, Saxon Furniture (Bolton) and Neal Jones Furniture (Lancaster), and Contour Campervan Furniture (Kendal).
Finally, sports and leisure manufacturers who have undertaken technology projects with Made Smarter include: Kong Climbing (Keswick), Foams 4 Sports (Ashton-under-Lyne) and A & D Sports (Rochdale).
With the Government committing to continue the North West adoption programme as part of a UK roll out, manufacturers are being urged to connect with Made Smarter to access the funded support on offer. This includes digital transformation workshops to create a digital roadmap, impartial and expert technology advice, leadership and skills training, as well as grant funding for digital internships and technology projects.
Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said: “Our mission is to engage with the thousands of manufacturers out there who we are certain could benefit from our support. As such we are redoubling our efforts to reach more businesses, and to inspire and inform them about the benefits of technology adoption.
“For many this may be helping them take the first step to digitise manual and paper-based systems or using sensors to capture vital production data. But for others with a digital infrastructure in place, they may be ready for more sophisticated, boundary-pushing technologies such as analytics, machine learning and AI, which are evolving at unprecedented speed.
“Digital isn’t coming – it’s arrived. Adopting technologies at the right time and in the right way is the key to unlocking real benefits for industry, society and the planet.”
