Made Smarter North West has launched a new peer-to-peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers.
The Digital Champions Network brings together businesses who have engaged with Made Smarter’s adoption programme, including graduates of its Leading Digital Transformation and Leading Change for Digital Champions programmes.
The initiative will connect those employees actively engaged in digitalisation, from the top floor to the shop floor, at different stages of technology adoption. In-person and online events will be facilitated throughout the year to enable participants to share learning and experience, forging long-lasting connections.
A launch event, at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Liverpool, attracted North West businesses from across industries, including: CNC Robotics; Palace Chemicals; JFM Workwear; Farrat, Gardner Engineering; Majas Switchgear and Beagle Orthopaedic.
It kicked off with a panel discussion about digital transformation featuring Max Barnett, digital champion for CNC Robotics, Made Smarter’s technology adoption specialists Will Kinghorn and Claire Scott, and Mark Sutherberry from the MTC.
This was followed by a workshop session, led by Karen Lancaster from the Centre for People-Led Digitalisation, exploring the role of dignity at work and how this can be affected by technology.
The event finished with a tour of the MTC, a demonstrator backed by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which showcases how advanced manufacturing equipment can be applied to industry to support skills, productivity and growth across UK manufacturing.
Commenting on the launch, Ruth Hailwood, Organisation Development Lead for the Made Smarter North West Adoption Programme, said: “The Digital Champions Network is an opportunity to build something sustainable by harnessing what a manufacturer learns as they embark on their digital transformation journey and sharing it with their peers. This approach means every member of the network can benefit from sharing experiences and new ideas, creating a bigger impact for their own business and for the SME manufacturing community in the region.
“Made Smarter’s activity through the Leading Digital Transformation and Leading Change for Digital Champions programmes has already created strong and impactful connections between cohort groups. Many have offered site visits to each other to demonstrate their practices and technologies, which have proved really valuable. The Digital Champions Network is looking to extend these connections across the region to all manufacturers that engage with Made Smarter.”
Made Smarter complements all our thinking and best practice in how to support manufacturers to adopt technology and skills in a sustainable, high impact way.
It has been a pleasure hosting the launch of the Digital Champions Network, an initiative which brings together the North West’s SME manufacturing community to learn how to approach digital transformation and innovation.
Mark Sutherberry, Senior Business Development Manager at the MTC
Among those attending the Digital Champions Network launch was Max Barnett, Sales and Marketing Engineer at Liverpool-based CNC Robotics, a specialist in advanced machining applications.
He said: “The role of the digital champion is like an internal salesperson who advocates and communicates the changes a business needs to make to move forward.
“This network is a great idea which brings together people involved in digital change in their manufacturing businesses to encourage discussion and compare notes.”
Dan Stevenson, Managing Director of Palace Chemicals, a Liverpool-based manufacturer of products used in the building, construction and DIY applications, said: “Made Smarter has helped improve our processes using technology and our next step is a focus on further shop floor digitisation. For that to be successful we need to embed digital champions across our business. With a 120 strong multigenerational workforce, many of whom have been with us for a long time, our biggest strength also creates a barrier to change.”
“The launch event was thought-provoking and gave us some interesting ideas about how to improve our digital transformation journey. Bringing together SME manufacturers to share their challenges and solutions is a fantastic idea and we want to embrace the opportunity that the network provides.”
Kevin Maloney, Owner of JFM workwear, a Knowsley-based manufacturer of garment solutions for workwear, uniforms, safety wear and healthcare, said: “Whatever your position in a company, it’s always interesting to hear that you’re not alone in your journey. Listening to other companies with similar growing pains actually fills you with confidence that you’re on the right path to success.
“By working smarter with Made Smarter, current frustrations can become future achievements through shared knowledge and experiences.”
Martin Chisholm, Head of Operations at Farrat, an Altrincham-based manufacturer of vibration control, building acoustics and thermal isolation, said: “It was thought-provoking and an interesting event and has given me some ideas that I will take to our business.”
Matt Philp, Managing Director of Gardner Engineering, a Preston-based manufacturer of CCTV hardware products, said: “I believe that for companies to grow they need support from people outside the business, who are unbiased and not competition. To have an open, confidential forum like the Digital Champions Network where you can bounce ideas off each other is fantastic.
Zoe Philp, Operations Manager at Gardner Engineering, added: “It is valuable to step out of the bubble of your business from time to time to listen to other opinions. Getting that validation or feedback can create opportunities that you may never have considered.”
Angela Murphy, Accounts Manager for Majas Switchgear, a St Helens-based
manufacturer of high-powered electrical power distribution products, said: “The Digital Champions Network is a fantastic idea. As a business we took a lot from Made Smarter’s digital roadmap process and then the Leading Digital Transformation programme, but these networking events really add value to what we’ve already learned.
“It is the simple fact that we can just speak to other manufacturers - from all levels of the business - about what they've done or what they're trying to do. It is very helpful to take on board what others, who are at a different stage of their digital transformation, have experienced.”
Lewis Holt, Senior Design Engineer, at Beagle Orthopaedic, a Blackburn-based manufacturer of orthopaedic equipment, said: “Technology offers us an opportunity to make more of our quality products, with the aim of improving patient outcomes, creating a skilled workforce fit for the future, and driving our sustainability goals.
“Made Smarter has already helped in supporting us with a grant towards the first of our digital machines which allows the high-volume product parts to be sewn in the most efficient and consistent way possible.
“Inviting us to join the Digital Champions Network is a valuable opportunity. Manufacturers can serve different industries and sectors, but we all face similar issues with the workforce, skills and technology adoption. Creating a forum where we can come together to share our pain points and learn from each other is fantastic."
Launched in 2019, Made Smarter has engaged with 2,500 manufacturers, with hundreds receiving support through grant funding, impartial technology advice, leadership, and skills training to help transform their businesses.
To join the Digital Champions Network register at madesmarter.uk