Made Smarter, the movement accelerating the digital transformation of SME manufacturers, has reached a major milestone – backing North West companies to invest £25m in new technologies.
330 businesses have now secured £7.1m matched funding from the government-funded, industry-backed initiative over the last six years, adopting technologies as diverse as sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI).
These companies have put £18m of private sector investment towards 379 technology projects which are forecast to create over 1,700 new jobs – an average of five each, and upskill 3,200 existing roles – almost 10 per business. What is more, the investments in technology and people are set to add £267m to the economy over the next three years.
In Greater Manchester, these include 96 companies who have invested almost £7.1m into 107 projects, creating 492 new jobs and upskilling 1,032 roles, while boosting the county’s economy by £78m.
Made Smarter’s funding panel, which comprises leading figures from across the worlds of business, government and academia, offers grants of up to £20,000 towards new technology and digital tools.
Among the latest wave of companies securing grants are,Edinburgh Weavers, the world-renowned textile manufacturer, based in Bolton,Duo UK, a manufacturer of packaging products, based in Manchester,C-TEC, a manufacturer of life-safety electronic systems, based in Wigan,BrickByBrick23, a manufacturer of personalised photo blocks using LEGO® Bricks, based in Glossop,Premium Fabrications, an engineering company, based in Rochdale,S K Electronics, an electronics manufacturer, based in Oldham; and IPEC, an electronics manufacturer, based in Stockport.
C-TEC has digitised its warehouse operations as part of a £1M investment programme to upgrade its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Peter Butterworth, Manufacturing Operations Director, said: “Working with Made Smarter has fast-tracked our investment in fully integrating and digitising our warehousing operations.
“With approaching 9,000-line items of fast-moving raw materials, sub-assemblies and finished goods, a fully digitised system was essential, and the system implemented through support from Made Smarter has made us significantly more efficient, productive, environmentally friendly, created new jobs, upskilled our workforce and well positioned C-TEC for business growth.”
BrickByBrick23 has invested in software and barcode scanners to improve data and systems integration, as well as a laser engraving machine.
Katie Benn, Co-Founder alongside partner Stephen Noble, said: “We set up this company two years ago and its growth has been extraordinary with customers all over the world. Having invested in new premises and expanded the team, the time was right to invest in new technology to help us grow sustainably.
“We are grateful for the backing of Made Smarter who have helped us develop a digital strategy and take this next step.”
Premium Fabrications has invested in automation and software.
Barbara Smyth, Owner, said: “Working with Made Smarter has had a massive impact on our business. Its support has enabled us to become more efficient, productive, profitable, and enabled us to reach more customers. It has also created new jobs including an apprentice and helped us to upskill our existing workforce. Without this investment we would have been years away from the progress we have achieved.”
Duo UK has invested in a cloud-based software solution which captures shop floor data from machinery via sensors and displays it in real-time on a web app.
Tom Gibson, Production Manager, said: “Made Smarter’s support, in terms of its guidance, the grant and workforce development, has not only made this data and systems integration project a reality but accelerated our future plans.”
Commenting on the latest milestone and grant awards, Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said: “These technology projects will have a tremendous impact on individuals, businesses, the sector and society. They will boost efficiency, productivity and growth, creating new jobs and upskilling existing roles, all while shifting the dial on creating a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
“I welcome these companies into the Made Smarter family. Alongside the hundreds who have already reaped the rewards of the adoption programme, we have now invested over £25m into the digital transformation of the sector.
“Celebrating milestones is important. It permits my fantastic team to take stock of the achievement and then commit to improving the services we offer to continue the Made Smarter mission.”
As well as grants, Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers access to funded support including digital transformation workshops to create a digital roadmap, impartial and expert technology advice, and leadership and skills training.
