Digital Technology Internships

A family run business based in Stockport. They manufacture low protein foods for people with inborn errors of metabolism which effect roughly 1/10’000 people in the UK. In the UK the vast majority of their products are available via the NHS. Their products range from dried pasta, flavoured pasta sachets, breads, baking mixes, through to snacks and soups. All satisfy the needs of people with phenylketonuria (PKU) which is the body’s inability to breakdown protein.

The project will involve learning about all current sources of data collected including the data stream from the new machine; evaluating how effective the current methods of managing that data are and researching the best way to integrate the different data sets/systems to enable best use of the data to inform Production planning and management. Data visualisation would also be a key consideration – making dashboard(s) for easy visual analysis aiding collaborative decisions. The project will work with the current data systems that are fragmented and enable them to be integrated to produce useful holistic data in the form of Production Dashboards showing accurate performance data.

A Lancashire based bespoke timber, and fire door manufacturing company, supplying mainly to contractors and sub-contractors. They hold a number of accreditations including: BM Trada; Certifire; Certisecure; FSC; ISO. Ensuring they offer products with full certification. They are continuously improving processes, products and service and this project will enable them to maximise the benefits of their bespoke system and make some system improvements.

Project Overview: This project will focus on Data Management and System Improvements to the Bespoke Quoting/Operations/Scheduling Management System. The system is live so the development work is Post-implementation. This includes making amendments to the current system, and developing new ideas into the system. The work plan: Week 1 - 4 Learn the bespoke system and then work to make the documented system improvements Week 5 - 8 Continue with any required improvements/amendments to the current system and work with the Pendle Doors team to develop new ideas into the system Week 9 - 12 Work to prepare the system for shop floor data collection (including the use of tablets/devices on the shop floor) Timings in the workplan are based on full time hours over 12 weeks although part time hours will be considered. Support will be available from the developer that created the bespoke system to assist with learning how the system is currently working.

A UK based award-winning supplier of high-quality cable grip and wire rope products, with over 40 years of industry heritage. They serve customers in over 60 countries worldwide from their head office in Lancashire, UK, and base in Georgia, USA.

This project will focus on data discovery and process mapping in preparation for implementing an ERP system. The Client are on a journey to become “Data Driven”. Within the digital roadmap, they plan to implement a new best-in-class ERP solution which will become the centralised data hub for data analytics. As part of this ERP implementation the business must first understand it’s existing processes and gaps.

The client wish to deploy a Management Information System (MIS) or Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP), which is highly configurable and wholly appropriate to the nature of their business, which shall form the backbone of their business upon which all data and information interchange shall take place. This will allow them to better estimate the costs associated with contract work that they bid for or take on, provide visibility of WIP, process orders more efficiently, better manage their liaison with their customer base and suppliers and provide transparency of their day to day operations and KPIs.

As production runs have become shorter it has become imperative to move onto a digital platform, where set up times are considerably less, and the costs of origination are much lower. The business aim is to match the print characteristics of conventional screen printing on a digital platform. They aim to increase both their export sales by 100% and their domestic sales by just under 100% over the course of the next three years, through the implementation of digital technology.

The company has a passion for creating beautiful spirits and have a multi award-winning distillery with an established portfolio of gins and rum. The distillery is home to a production facility and Tour & Experience events, where spirit lovers from all over the UK and the World to come and join a spirit’s journey. The company is a warm, welcoming, and exciting business and have experienced significant growth in the last 2 years. They are looking to continue expanding the business with further major growth.

This role will be fundamental to fast tracking the integration of the e-commerce; stock inventory management and accounting systems. Building on this, it will also integrate the B2C communication and dispatch and shipping systems. The project will create a data ecosystem; one interconnected system that will be key to increasing efficiency across the business and support the growth plans. You will have the skills and experience to effectively integrate their systems in the most efficient way. You will also bring a fresh perspective to the business and in working alongside the team, you will gain invaluable industry experience with a growing company.

Operating for over 25 years, our client is a communion and bridal accessory supplier, based in Blackburn, Lancashire. Recently, they have moved into the bridal gown industry, supplying and modelling dresses to bridal boutiques and independent buyers nationwide. Currently, the company utilise two manufacturing sites within the North West and also have a boutique for dress and accessory sales. Our client is pushing forward with the recent adoption of an inventory management system called ‘Unleashed’ Software. The introduction of this system is providing the opportunity to further integrate additional systems into the customer relationship and order processing aspects of the business, all whilst improving throughput efficiency.

Currently, due to the skills gap within the workforce, our client is using the services of a third-party software engineer to assist with the integration of the systems across the company. Assistance from a Digital Intern would benefit our client by providing much-needed knowledge and experience towards effectively utilising their industrial systems. Reviewing systems and providing practical feedback towards their efficiency would be largely beneficial to the company and will help them to achieve their goals of digital efficiency and a paperless factory.

Our client is a high-end manufacturer of furnishing fabrics that incorporates printing, dyeing, and finishing. As well as the production area they have a design studio made up of a team of talented artists, with a wealth of experience in the industry. They operate mainly from designs commissioned by their customers, producing both apparel and furnishing fabrics to the highest standards. They have recently made a significant investment in new technology that can revolutionise the industry, however, transferring existing products onto a new digital platform will be a challenge for their business and their software providers.

As production runs have become shorter it has become imperative to move onto a digital platform, where set up times are considerably less, and the costs of origination are much lower. The business aim is to match the print characteristics of conventional screen printing on a digital platform. They aim to increase both their export sales by 100% and their domestic sales by just under 100% over the course of the next three years, through the implementation of digital technology. By utilising the skills of a fully focussed project intern they will achieve their transition significantly quicker than relying on already busy operatives.

The company was established in 1995 as a family run joinery manufacturer with fantastic customer focused values and a skilled workforce, however it lacked development throughout the years. Since 2018 they have been developing their technology and processes and are systematically working through each area of the business to maximise the potential output of each department by utilising technology and training.

The company requires the follow work to be carried out: 1. Familiarisation and analysis of current processes 2. Design: How will it look for the company? What functions will they use? 3. Develop: Create a model suitable for process implementation 4. Test Phase: Ensure models work with prototypes 5. Implement: Implement new system 6. Post implementation analysis: Analyse model strengths, weaknesses, and MI

Formed in 1946, the company is a preeminent specialist Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisation that enables their customers and end users to support their products, systems, and platforms, many of which have critical status for extended periods, to and often beyond the products natural lifespan. Operating in the Global Defence, Nuclear and Oil & Gas industries, they utilise their extensive knowledge and supporting supply chain to maintain a continued availability of components, which ensures a product life extension for their customers as well as specialist knowledge in the sourcing of obsolete/difficult to source components.

This project is part of a Government Industrial Strategy Funded Project, working in partnership with BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, GKN, Nissan, and Airbus UK. The aim is to remove paperwork from the shop floor, using technology to improve efficiency within their operations and ultimately deliver better value to their customers. Integration of Digital Technology, and initiate a connected facility where decisions are made based on live accessible data presented across all areas of the business from a central location for users to access, interact and analyse up-to-date information to enable smarter, data-driven decisions.

Formed in 1946, the company is a preeminent specialist Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisation that enables their customers and end users to support their products, systems, and platforms, many of which have critical status for extended periods, to and often beyond the products natural lifespan. Operating in the Global Defence, Nuclear and Oil & Gas industries, they utilise their extensive knowledge and supporting supply chain to maintain a continued availability of components, which ensures a product life extension for their customers as well as specialist knowledge in the sourcing of obsolete/difficult to source components. As a sustainable, profitable, private company with a rich past and secure future, they are committed to extending certainty for their customers, their products, projects, and needs. From their 22,000 square ft. manufacturing facility based in Worsley, Manchester, the company offer both a flexible and responsive service to their customers.

This project is part of a Government Industrial Strategy Funded Project, working in partnership with BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, GKN, Nissan, and Airbus UK. The aim is to remove paperwork from the shop floor, using technology to improve efficiency within their operations and ultimately deliver better value to their customers. Integration of Digital Technology, and initiate a connected facility where decisions are made based on live accessible data presented across all areas of the business from a central location for users to access, interact and analyse up-to-date information to enable smarter, data-driven decisions. Their factory consists of highly capable legacy equipment that needs to be connected to gather data to better enable decision making (descriptive analytics) or use the data to make beneficial changes for the future (Predictive maintenance).