SME manufacturers using digital tools and technology to transform their businesses are set to share their inspiring stories at a free-to-access online summit. The virtual conference, Made Smarter: The journey to digital manufacturing, taking place on 10 March, will show manufacturers how to leverage and fast-track digital technology and tools for a year of recovery, growth and resilience.

Among the SME manufacturers that will share their real-life stories and their experience of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption programme include: MacKinnon and Saunders, Creative Apparel, Nutree Life, Fabricon Design, Arden Dies, Bindatex, Crystal Doors, Starlight Bedrooms, Beverston Engineering, and DA Techs, alongside Envirosystems, Bloom-in-Box, Brainboxes, Parity Medical, Twin Fix, Plastic Card Services, Storth, Contactless Check Solutions and The Cumbria Clock Company.

Curated by manufacturers for manufacturers, the conference also features an impressive line-up of industry heavyweights such as Juergen Maier, chair of the Digital Catapult and co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission; and Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK; Andrea Hough, managing director of ATEC Engineering Solutions; and Glyn Jones, service delivery director at BAE Systems and chair of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group, who will showcase the 'why?', 'what?' and 'how?' of digital manufacturing.

The packed one-day programme, running from 9 am-5 pm, will be hosted virtually using an interactive online platform and include insightful panel discussions and roundtable debates; interactive workshops; demonstrations of the latest digital manufacturing technologies; and one-to-one advice sessions, giving businesses the vital intelligence needed to start their digital journey or take the next step.

Free to accessTo ensure the Made Smarter message reaches as many people the conference is free to access for anyone from the spectrum of UK manufacturing and engineering, including aerospace, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical, construction, defence, electronics, energy, food and drink, nuclear, plastics, security, steel, space and textiles.

Juergen Maier said: “I am delighted to be participating in the Made Smarter: The journey to digital manufacturing conference to share my passion for the benefits of digital technology and celebrate the positive impact that Made Smarter’s adoption pilot is having on individuals, businesses, the environment, and the UK economy.

“For manufacturers by manufacturers, this summit is a must-attend event for anyone working in the sector to learn how to make their product or process smarter. In these tumultuous times Covid-19 has, without doubt, demonstrated that digital tools can enable and accelerate innovation, and create resilience.

“Grasping the digital opportunities has never been more important for businesses to recover and return stronger.”

A rich blend of sessions will cover themes including: the Made Smarter vision, achievements and future; building resilience through digital tools; and how technology can help manufacturers enhance and improve sustainability, exports, new product development, and the supply chain.

Manufacturers will be able to access practical, actionable advice through workshops including: how to get started on a digital journey, led by Made Smarter’s technology advisers; and how to lead the digital transformation in your manufacturing business, led by Lancaster University Management School.

Meanwhile, Technology Demonstrators Alley will showcase the latest solutions available to manufacturers which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, create simulations of their plants and processes, as well as how 3D-printing, automation, and robotics can solve business challenges.

There will also be the opportunity to speak one on one with a variety of business advisers to explore the advice, support and funding available to manufacturers.

Donna Edwards, North West Pilot programme director at Made Smarter, said: “This conference is a unique opportunity to showcase to UK manufacturers the tremendous achievements of the pilot, the value technology can bring to the sector, and give real-life examples of makers who have started their digital journey, reporting growth, productivity and efficiency gains, and job creation.

“Whatever you make from wherever you are in the UK the journey to digital manufacturing event offers you the chance to learn from the experiences from industry leaders, gain the know-how you need from experts, and hear from peers who have been through the journey.”

For more information visit the website (www.madesmarter.uk).