
300 manufacturing SMEs in the North West are benefiting from funding, support and advice on how they can use new digital technology, as part of the Made Smarter programme.
The Made Smarter project is being piloted in the North West and aims to educate and support SME manufacturing companies on how they can introduce new digital technologies into their business to improve productivity and grow in the future. Made Smarter is a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (DBEIS) and industry leaders.
The support offered includes advice from industry leaders, one-to-one support, digital roadmapping and transformation workshops and leadership and management training. Manufacturing SMEs will get support in implementing new digital technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence to boost productivity and revenue of the sector in the North West.
Donna Edwards, Programme Director for the Made Smarter North West pilot, said:
Over the last year the Made Smarter team has engaged with hundreds of makers from every corner of the region. We have found a great enthusiasm about the benefits of adopting new digital technology tempered by uncertainty of how to go about it.
“It’s clear that the SMEs need the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business, how much to invest and which technologies will bring the greatest benefits. This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region.”
Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens and co-chair of the commission, said:
When we launched Made Smarter in November 2018 our ambition was to kick start a new industrial revolution for the manufacturing sector and turn the UK into a world leader in digital technologies.
“I am thrilled that so many manufacturers in the North West have grasped what I believe is a once in a generational opportunity to boost productivity, create high value and highly paid jobs of the future. Our task now is to scale this up and see what other regions can learn from the great work that’s already being done here.”