Stockport manufacturers graduate from Made Smarter leadership programme

Three businesses from Stockport are amongst the latest cohort of graduates of a new leadership programme for manufacturers run by the Made Smarter initiative.

The Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme, part of Made Smarter North West Adoption – a government-funded industry-led initiative – focuses on equipping SME manufacturers with the strategies and skills to adopt cutting-edge digital technologies. 

The funded programme is delivered over three months with Manchester Metropolitan University, blending face-to-face workshops, online webinars, case studies to see technology in action, and a site visit to PrintCity, Manchester Met’s 3D additive and digital manufacturing centre. 

Business leaders from Stockport businesses Arden Dies, a manufacturer of dies; Firstplay Dietary Foods, a specialist food manufacturer; and Massey and Harris, playground equipment manufacturers, were among those to graduate from the programme.

Izzy Roberts, Operations Analyst, and Mike Parker, Sales and Technical Support, both of Lasercomb Dies, part of Arden Group, completed the programme (both pictured with Made Smarter Commission co-chair, Brian Halliday (left)). Mike said:

“This programme has helped Izzy and I developed the skills to contribute to the transformative change taking place at Arden. One of the key takeaways has been how to look at technology projects from the perspective of everyone involved and to map out all the processes. It has been a valuable experience.”

Faye Wild, Operations Manager at Firstplay Dietary Foods, said:

“Made Smarter has been hugely important to our growth over the past four years, from support with skills, to backing us to invest in new technologies. The Leadership programme has given me new confidence to take responsibility for future projects and better equipped me with the skills and tools to deal with the challenges that change presents.”

Huw Pritchard, Lead Designer at Massey and Harris, said:

“The Made Smarter Leadership programme has been hugely influential on our business. Our Business Manager Alison Brooks participated in an early cohort and is now leading on plans to digitalise, looking at the operations side of the business. I took the opportunity to focus on a specific area within the design department where I feel we can benefit from digitalisation. The key learning from my perspective was the need to focus on one project at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the overall strategy. It has been a brilliant experience.”

Brian Holliday, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission and MD of Siemens Digital Industries, attended the LDT showcase event at Engine Rooms at Birchwood Park, Warrington. He said:

“It was an absolute privilege to meet this latest group of creators and makers to complete our trailblazing Leading Digital Transformation programme and to listen to their inspirational stories. While these businesses operate in vastly different sectors, there is a consistency in the way they recognise the importance of people, process, strategy and adoption of technology.”

Since it was launched in 2023, the LDT programme has transformed 54 delegates into digitally-informed, empowered leaders armed with a bespoke digitalisation strategy. This is in addition to the 62 business leaders equipped with new digital skills through Made Smarter’s trailblazing leadership initiative run between 2019 and 2023.

Manufacturers across the North West are now encouraged to register their interest for the next series of programmes.

Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter’s Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist Adviser, said:

“Made Smarter has taken a people-first approach to helping SME manufacturers adopt technology tools to take their businesses forward. 

“Our Leading Digital Transformation programme is designed to be flexible for manufacturing leaders to fit around their busy schedules, allowing them to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas, experiences and opportunities with their peers in manufacturing.

“This supports leaders to take their entire organisation and people through digital transformation successfully and maximise the opportunities for their business.”