LMAC Consulting, a digital transformation specialist has partnered with the Engineering and Machinery Alliance (EAMA) to create an Industry 4.0 guide specific to the needs of the trade association’s SME members.

LMAC Consulting is a certified assessor for Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) - the internationally recognised standard for Industry 4.0 planning and endorsed by the World Economic Forum - and tailors a Smarter 4.0 roadmap and data analytics pathway while delivering a tangible bottom line benefit.

The EAMA constitutes 10 bodies working with Government and others to strengthen the machinery and component supply chain in the UK – and its members will benefit from proven organisational processes that deliver significant digital benefits and returns, but in a scalable and pragmatic way.

The guide summarises the different pillars of Industry 4.0, the impact they have on costs and KPIs, as well as highlighting examples of them in action. SIRI meanwhile measures a business’ current maturity and prioritises the digital transformation dimensions that will have the greatest impact on an SME business, aligned to its strategic priorities.

EAMA secretary Jack Semple said: “This insightful guide is fit-for-purpose for our members and long overdue help and advice after the delays caused by Brexit and Covid-19. It is both a training and education solution that gives users quick productivity improvement wins, but also a longer-term framework for sustainable change.

“I like LMAC’s logical and down-to-earth approach and the company has direct and relevant experience of supporting SME manufacturing companies in both the UK and New Zealand using globally recognised methodologies, whereby everyone benefits by working together.”

LMAC CEO Alastair Crawford added: “Industry 4.0 principles and technology enable manufacturers to keep their advantage and grow in a market constrained by available skills and rising costs – without wasting time and misguided direction and factoring in the change management issue that arise.

“There is much to be gained from going digital in today’s tougher economic climate and we’ll also be giving EAMA leaders some of the skills to do it themselves. Equally, by combining our expertise and benchmarking we can shape best practice ideas and also look to influence funding, policy and digital support going forward.”

The free guide is also available to interested parties and businesses that are not part of EAMA, and can be downloaded here).