Sarah Woodhams, Made Smarter, presents award to Stephen Talbot, Logs Direct

The first ever recipients of the Made Smarter Awards, celebrating excellence in manufacturing, have been announced. The scheme has been launched to mark the fourth anniversary of the pioneering ‘Made Smarter’ adoption programme, a Government-funded and industry-led initiative helping SME manufacturers digitalise, decarbonise and drive growth.

158 businesses, representing every part of the North West and a diverse range of sectors, have been recognised for their committed approach to digital transformation. There are three levels of certification — bronze, silver, and gold — depending on a recipient’s engagement and advocacy of the programme.

Among the first 19 ‘gold’ award winners are: Beverston Engineering, a precision component manufacturer, based in Knowsley; MSM aerospace fabricators, manufacturers of aircraft components, based in Middleton; RAF Engineering, an engineering and fabrication business, based in Workington; CNC Robotics, a robotics integrator based in Liverpool; Atec Engineering Solutions, manufacturer of electronic and electro-mechanical equipment, based in Salford; and Arden Dies, a die and tooling manufacturer based in Stockport. Silver awards have been given to 40 companies, and bronze awards to 158.

Donna Edwards, director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption programme, said: “The programme is a huge success story for UK manufacturing. It has inspired leadership and evoked change in hundreds of businesses through technology and new skills. Digital transformation can be hard, particularly in the current climate and given the challenges the sector has faced in recent years, so it is right we recognise the hard work, dedication and forward-thinking nature of these businesses and their employees. They have embraced digitalisation to become a leading example of UK manufacturing excellence. We are delighted to launch our first Made Smarter Awards and hope that recipients will wear them like a badge of honour to inspire others around them.”

To date, the North West programme has provided specialised support to over 2,500 businesses. Its advisors have imparted expert, impartial technology advice and digital transformation workshops to help create a digital roadmap, skills support and leadership training, and grants towards technology projects.

Some businesses have adopted technologies that enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes. Others have adopted 3-D printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand.

These investments have created 1,300 new manufacturing jobs, upskilled 2,400 existing roles and added over £209 million in GVA (gross value added) for the North West economy. Businesses are also benefitting from improved productivity and revenue, increased exports and lower energy bills, and a reduced carbon footprint.