New toolkit launched to help Greater Manchester manufacturers adopt AI

SME manufacturers across Greater Manchester are being supported to take practical steps to adopt AI into their processes with a new toolkit.

AI Adoption in Manufacturing: A Practical Toolkit from Made Smarter has been developed by Made Smarter North West, the government-backed programme helping SME manufacturers adopt technology and digital skills, and co-authored by Professor Chris Dungey, AI Champion for Advanced Manufacturing at the Department for Business and Trade.

The guide, available here, aims to strengthen the region’s manufacturing base by supporting SME leaders as they navigate one of the most significant technological shifts in decades. It also features case studies from local manufacturers which have already adopted the technology, including Marple-based Arden Dies.

Professor Chris Dungey, the toolkit’s co-author, said:

“AI has moved quickly into everyday business, but for many manufacturers, especially SMEs, it still feels complex, distant and risky. That is why practical adoption matters more than technical novelty.

“This toolkit is not about pushing manufacturers faster than they are ready to go. It is about helping them move with confidence, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure AI delivers measurable impact rather than stalled pilots.

“If the UK is to realise the productivity, resilience and competitiveness gains that AI can offer, we must focus less on isolated success stories and more on repeatable adoption pathways. This toolkit is an important step in that direction, helping manufacturers move from curiosity to capability, and from pilots to scaled industrial impact.”

At the centre of the toolkit is a structured “Scan, Pilot, Scale” framework, reflecting how manufacturers successfully adopt AI in practice. It encourages businesses to start with real operational challenges, test solutions safely, and scale only what proves its value in live environments.

The launch comes as AI is increasingly recognised as critical to the UK’s industrial future, yet many SMEs remain cautious. Unlike office-based tools, AI in manufacturing operates in complex, safety-critical environments, where decisions can directly impact quality, productivity and compliance.

Kevin Smith, Lead Technology Adoption Specialist at Made Smarter North West, said:

“AI is no longer out of reach for SMEs. It doesn’t require major investment or specialist teams to get started.

“The opportunity now is to act with confidence and clarity. By starting small, testing safely and focusing on real business value, manufacturers can turn AI from an abstract concept into a practical tool for growth.“