Greater Manchester manufacturers invest £6.7 million in tech

Greater Manchester manufacturers, supported by the Made Smarter tech adoption and digitalisation programme, have invested £6.7 million in new technology.

85 businesses in the city-region have also benefited from £1.8 million in match funding from the government-backed scheme, which has supported local manufacturing SMEs to take advantage of advancements in robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence, among others. Backed by £4.9m of private investment, these manufacturers are forecasting the creation of 451 jobs and 890 upskilled roles, boosting the local economy by £69 million.

The programme has now supported 300 SMEs with tech investment, with 16 further Greater Manchester manufacturers joining the scheme in its latest wave, including, in Stockport, packaging manufacturer Glossop Cartons.

With the UK Government committing to continue the North West adoption programme alongside a nationwide roll out, manufacturers are being urged to connect with Made Smarter to access the funded support. The offer 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:

“I am incredibly proud of what the Made Smarter team has achieved over the last five years. These milestones are simultaneously a moment to celebrate, as well as a reminder that our work is by no means done. 

“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.”