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Three Stockport firms are among the latest to benefit from the Made Smarter programme, which has now supported 200 manufacturing businesses to invest in new technologies to drive growth.
Since Made Smarter launched three years ago, 49 SME manufacturers in Greater Manchester have secured £1.1 million matched funding for 63 projects, worth £3.8 million after private sector investment. These investments are forecasting the creation of 264 new jobs and 436 upskilled roles, and are forecast to deliver an additional £44.5 million for the Greater Manchester regional economy over the next three years.
Among the latest wave of manufacturers starting their journey to use technology to benefit their business, their bottom line and the environment are three Stockport businesses: Arden Dies, a die and tooling manufacturer; Firstplay Dietary Foods, a promin low protein product maker; and Hollingworth Design, a precision engineering business.
Arden Dies, based in Stockport, has invested in 3D printing technology to explore new avenues for the business to improve productivity by removing manual processes; Sarah Poynter (pictured), Operations Manager, said:
“Digitalisation should be the focus for all manufacturers and this programme is the perfect place to start. Since engaging with Made Smarter we have embraced the opportunities on offer from the programme. This includes the digital transformation workshop which helped identify digital tools and technologies that can support our approach for continuous improvement in our processes and people. The leadership programme has given us access to leading academic expertise with practical activities to apply that knowledge into our business.
“We also pioneered Made Smarter’s Fast Track Additive Manufacturing – Upskilling the Workforce programme to accelerate the adoption and application of additive manufacturing. This has given a solid grounding in all aspects of Additive Manufacturing, which will keep us at the forefront of what we do best, providing the highest technology in cutting and engraving tooling for the packaging industry.”
Hollingworth Design Ltd (HDL), based in Stockport, a precision engineering business, has adopted CNC machining software to allow 3D modelling from the design, simulate the machine, reduce setup time, and optimise cycle times. Paul Hollingworth, Managing Director of said:
“I am delighted by the support from Made Smarter. This software will ensure that HDL can fully utilise its state-of-the-art CNC equipment and continue to offer great products and service to its customers.”
Since launching in 2018, Made Smarter has engaged with 1,381 businesses from every corner of the North-west to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth, navigate Covid-19, and tackle climate change.
Over 80% of SMEs working with Made Smarter to adopt cutting-edge technologies have seen a boost in productivity, while others have benefited from increase in revenue and exports, job creation and providing new skills to workforces, as well as improved visibility and enhanced integration with supply chains. More than 25% reduced their carbon emissions, while others cut energy bills, reduced waste, and became more environmentally sustainable.
Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said:
“Over the last three years we have worked extremely hard to drive digital technology usage among makers across the North West. We have engaged with 1,381 SMEs in the region to help them start their digital journey by providing them with specialist advice to help them select the right approach, level of investment and tools for their business.
“We have seen huge success with Made Smarter-supported businesses reporting growth, productivity and efficiency gains, as well as upskilling their workforce and creating new high-value jobs. We’re also playing a crucial role in helping the UK grow sustainably and reach its ambitious aim of net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050.
“Digitalisation enables businesses to find the sustainability sweet spot between these economic, social, and environmental goals. We look forward to continuing our drive to enable hundreds more manufacturers in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Liverpool City Region to learn how digital transformation can help them recover, grow, and create resilience.”