From left to right: Alain Dilworth (Made Smarter North West), Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), Kenneth Fairbairn (JWF Process Solutions), Robert Allan (Stream Measurement)An innovative manufacturer has taken a major step into the digital age with the installation of a new £300,000 gas calibration rig that doubles testing capacity, lead to the creation of more jobs and secure the future of one of the UK’s most advanced flow measurement facilities. Developed by
Stream Measurement with support from
Made Smarter North West, the Government-backed technology adoption programme, the new rig replaces a 40-year-old system that relied on manual processes and legacy software.
The digital system automates certification and data acquisition, and is capable of testing meters from 0.25 to 4,000m
3 per hour. Its modern software interface enables real-time analysis and data capture, improving accuracy and reducing reliance on legacy expertise. A process that once took a full day can now be completed in a few hours, significantly increasing throughput and opening opportunities to serve new customers across the UK and beyond.
The new facility was officially unveiled by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, at a special event attended by Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, and Alain Dilworth, programme manager for Made Smarter North West, and Stream’s customers and partners.
Andy Burnham said: “Advanced manufacturing has always been at the heart of Greater Manchester’s story, and companies like Stream Measurement show how this globally recognised strength will continue to play a vital role in our future. By investing in advanced technology and upskilling its workforce, with the support of Made Smarter, it is not only growing its own business but strengthening Oldham’s position in the regional economy as we kickstart the next decade of prosperity.
“What we are seeing here is exactly the kind of innovation and ambition that our city-region is known for — businesses using new technology to boost productivity, create skilled jobs, and build a more sustainable industrial base. Stream’s success demonstrates why Greater Manchester remains one of the best places in the UK for engineering and manufacturing to thrive.”
Founded in 1999, Stream Measurement supplies flow meters and provides calibration, verification, repair, and refurbishment services for industrial sectors such as utilities, chemicals, oil and gas, food and beverage, and manufacturing. The 17-strong business was acquired by
JWF Process Solutions in 2019 and is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy to triple turnover to £6 million through continued investment in its premises, people, processes, and equipment.
Over the past three years, Stream has worked closely with Made Smarter, developing a digital roadmap, securing a £20,000 grant to implement new technology, and building leadership capability through the Leading Change for Digital Champions (LCDC) programme. Robert Allan, Stream Measurement’s operations director, said: “Made Smarter gave us the confidence to modernise one of the most critical parts of our business and invest at a scale we couldn’t have achieved alone. The new technology safeguards existing contracts, strengthens our capability, and creates a platform for future growth.”
The investment is creating five new engineering roles, as the company expands capacity and capability to meet rising demand. Stream is also upskilling its existing team, including apprentices, to operate the system. Apprentice engineer Joe Hewson said: “Being trained on the new rig has been a huge opportunity. It’s ‘state of the art’ technology that gives me and the other engineers skills that will be vital for the future of the business.”
The upgrade supports the company’s ISO 14001, 9001 and 45001 accreditations and its commitment to sustainability, reducing waste and extending the lifespan of refurbished meters. The original rig will be retained as a contingency system, ensuring business continuity and additional testing capacity when required.
Alain Dilworth, programme manager for Made Smarter North West, said: “It has been fantastic to have played a part in Stream Measurement’s digital transformation and this is a great example of what can be achieved when ambition is matched with the right guidance and support.”
Launched in 2019, Made Smarter is a UK Government-backed programme designed to help manufacturing SMEs adopt digital technologies and develop the leadership and skills needed to drive sustainable growth. Since its launch in the North West, Made Smarter has engaged with more than 2,500 manufacturers, delivering over 400 technology projects that are forecast to create 1,850 new jobs, upskill 3,300 existing roles, and add £276 million to the regional economy.