Stephanie West and Tabs Khojani from NERIC

Made Smarter and leading technology demonstrators have joined forces to demystify digital transformation with a new white paper — Made Smarter technologies: powering the digital transformation of SME manufacturers is a practical guide from the Government-backed and industry-led technology adoption programme in the North West.

The free-to-download document aims to inform and inspire manufacturers exploring existing technologies such as software, industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), automation and robotics, 3-D printing, and cyber security, while showcasing emerging digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins.

The white paper is backed by industry-leading institutions who work with Made Smarter to demonstrate technology in action to SME manufacturers, including: the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC), the University of Salford’s ‘state of the art’ for automation and robotics;
PrintCity, Manchester Metropolitan University’s 3-D printing facility; The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Liverpool, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC); the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) North West, based in Samlesbury, Lancashire; and the Hartree Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Cheshire.

Since 2019, Made Smarter has helped 300 manufacturers invest £22.5 million in a range of industrial digital technologies s and reap a raft of rewards including 1,600 new jobs, 2,850 upskilled roles, all while boosting the economy by £242 million.

The white paper also showcases Made Smarter-supported manufacturers already reaping the rewards of technology adoption, including: Joshua Greaves & Sons, Evertaut, Fylde Fresh and Fabulous, First Play Dietary Foods, GB Engineering, Bloom-in-Box, Storth, JCM Fine Joinery, Fusion Implants, Croft AM, Mackinnon & Saunders, and MSM aerospace fabricators.

Donna Edwards, director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme, said: “Made Smarter’s adoption programme is helping SME manufacturers catch up with the wealth of digital tools and technologies currently available, for them to be ready to fully embrace the next great technological leap. Over the last five years technology has shown its true colours in the form of growth, investment, employment, productivity, and a competitive advantage. The race is now on to fully capitalise on the opportunities that exist, as well as those on the horizon. Business leaders therefore need the skills, knowledge, and experience to respond to this rapid change.

“Demonstrating these technologies in action is vital to Made Smarter’s success. We are enabling people to get their hands on these technologies by connecting SME manufacturers with each other and building relationships with leading technology institutes. This way we can ensure we keep a finger on the pulse of emerging technologies to help the sector thrive and be competitive.

“This new white paper brings all those elements together into a useful and simple to understand guide which business leaders and digital champions can download and share with their teams. We hope it is the starting point for further conversations with the Made Smarter team.”

For more information about Made Smarter and to download the white paper visit the website: here.