Boosting manufacturing in the West Midlands

Made Smarter West Midlands launched in 2021, to drive digital adoption in West Midlands manufacturing and engineering SMEs.

C&W Business Solutions, part of the CW Growth Hub Group, together with strategic partners Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), delivers the programme for the region, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority and Business Growth West Midlands.

Support is provided through a range of activities, including grant funding, digital road mapping, change management training, mentoring, and 1:1 advice from 6 digital transformation specialists, each covering one of the areas supported; Coventry & Warwickshire, Greater Birmingham & Solihull, The Black Country, The Marches, Worcestershire, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire.

The pilot programme, which began in April of 2021, was deemed so successful that C&W Business Solutions were contracted to deliver against a further three-year programme, which has now been extended for a fifth year, until 31st March 2026.

The programme helps to accelerate the adoption of new digital technologies within advanced manufacturing and engineering SMEs, that will boost their productivity, decrease downtime, and help them get to market faster.

For Made Smarter West Midlands, C&W Business Solutions provides overall programme management, including marketing and business engagement, initial 1:1 SME support with one of the 6 digital transformation specialists, and grant management.

SMEs who are eligible for support are connected with Industrial Digital Technology Advisors at either WMG or MTC who deliver more intensive 1:1 technical and R&D support, together with support to apply for a match-funded grant of up to £20K, and future road-mapping activity towards implementation of the digital solutions.

As of April 2025, Made Smarter West Midlands has attracted 827 registrations, supported 435 companies to develop a tailored digital roadmap, created an estimated 1375 new jobs, and awarded 188 Grants, to a value of £3.2m. This includes an Operational and Workforce Development and Internship offer to create a skills package which collaborates with the Leading Change in Digital Transformation course.

Contact the Made Smarter West Midlands team at madesmarter@cwgrowthhub.co.uk

Who is delivering the Made Smarter adoption programme in the West Midlands?

Register

C&W Business Solutions, part of the CW Growth Hub Group, is leading the Made Smarter West Midlands programme, working closely with strategic partners Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), helping SMEs across the region to benefit from the expertise of their digital manufacturing specialists.

C&W Business Solutions are delivering Made Smarter for the West Midlands on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Business Growth West Midlands and the Growth Hubs in Coventry and Warwickshire, The Marches, Worcestershire, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire.

Local support for local people

Advice and Support

The Growth Hubs will assess each business that applies to ensure they are given the specialist support they need.
We will then help local SMEs to develop an action plan for adopting digital technology in their own detailed roadmap, which could involve participating in a leadership training programme or receiving a match-funded grant.

Funding Support

Up to 50% match funding (Maximum of £20,000) is available for equipment and/or specialist advice to implement projects
Guidance on creating an effective digital roadmap to ensure the technology is taking your business in the right direction.

Digital Transformation Workshops

We aim to connect ‘makers’ to the digital tools they can utilise to transform the way they work. The programme will grow eligible businesses through emerging digital technology and help them to cut costs, go to market faster and reduce downtime.
A detailed diagnostic and assessment process will help firms to develop a strategic action plan towards IDT adoption. This includes investment recommendations within the business case.

Leadership Development

As a registrant on the Made Smarter programme we’d like to invite you to take part in this exclusive course, delivered completely free of charge by Coventry University.
With up to 30 hours of prescriptive learning, you’ll be able to transform your business, enhance value creation, create efficiencies and engage your employees to deliver better results. With our Made Smarter leadership skills training, we’ll help you discover new and innovative ways of developing and managing your people.

What you can expect from your exclusive course

Program Outline
As a registrant on the Made Smarter programme we’d like to invite you to take part in this exclusive course, delivered completely free of charge by Coventry University.

With up to 30 hours of prescriptive learning, you’ll be able to transform your business, enhance value creation, create efficiencies and engage your employees to deliver better results. With our Made Smarter leadership skills training, we’ll help you discover new and innovative ways of developing and managing your people.

What you can expect from the course:

Up to 12.5 hours of face-to-face training

Up to 17.5 hours of self-learning

Round table discussions

Business resilience and sustainability

Marketing

Team engagement

Productivity

Style/visioning/purpose

Change management

Onboarding

People

Agile

Other LEAN tools

Contact your Made Smarter advisor to find out more about the course.

Case Studies - Our impact as told by our clients in the West Midlands

PetShop

Stratford pet business ready for next stage of growth

An innovative online pet shop which was the first to offer subscription pet food services back in 2010 aims to grow by 30 per cent in 2025 – its 15th anniversary year – following support from Made Smarter West Midlands

Case Study - PetShop

D.A.R.L Engineering

On the right road to further success

A family-run precision engineering and manufacturing business is heading in the right direction to future success after receiving grant funding from Made Smarter West Midlands.

Case Study - D.A.R.L Engineering

Samuel Heath and Sons

Heritage and digital technology proving a winning combination

Samuel Heath and Sons plc manufactures the finest pieces of solid brassware from its premises at Grade II listed Leopold Street in Birmingham where it remains today.

The 130-strong business has evolved towards using the latest production methods combined with the skills of its staff to design and manufacture high-end taps, showers, bathroom accessories and door and window furniture for customers all over the world.

Samuel Heath has a UK showroom at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in London and customer services teams based in Birmingham and across the UK and the USA.

Martin Harrison, who has been Manufacturing Director for the last seven years, wanted to improve the availability of live data from the vast range of machines throughout its factory.

Case Study - Samuel Heath and Sons

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