Milestone reached after 23 more companies secure grants to digitalise
Made Smarter, the movement accelerating the digital transformation of SME manufacturers, has reached a major milestone - backing North West companies to invest £25m in new technologies.
330 businesses have now secured £7.1m matched funding from the government-funded, industry-backed initiative over the last six years, adopting technologies as diverse as sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI).
These companies have put £18m of private sector investment towards 379 technology projects which are forecast to create over 1,700 new jobs - an average of five each, and upskill 3,200 existing roles - almost 10 per business. What is more, the investments in technology and people are set to add £267m to the economy over the next three years.
Made Smarter’s funding panel, which comprises leading figures from across the worlds of business, government and academia, offers grants of up to £20,000 towards new technology and digital tools.
Among the latest wave of 23 companies securing grants are:
- Edinburgh Weavers, the world-renowned textile manufacturer, based in Bolton;
- Duo UK, a manufacturer of packaging products, based in Manchester;
- Trekk Vans, a campervan conversion specialist, based in Carlisle;
- J. Smith & Co. (Woodworking Machinery) Limited, an original equipment manufacturer, based in Liverpool;
- C-TEC, a manufacturer of life-safety electronic systems, based in Wigan;
- BrickByBrick23, a manufacturer of personalised photo blocks using LEGO® Bricks, based in Glossop;
- Gardner Engineering, a manufacturer of CCTV brackets, based in Preston;
- System Hydraulics, a manufacturer of hydraulic components, based in Carlisle;
- Esspee Fabrications, a manufacturer of electrical and high temperature insulation materials, based in St Helens;
- Cupcakes By Sophia, a manufacturer of cupcakes, based in Blackburn;
- James Labels & Supplies, a manufacturer of self-adhesive labels and swing tickets, based in Bacup;
- Arc Elevators, a manufacturer of lifts, based in Nelson.
C-TEC has digitised its warehouse operations as part of a £1M investment programme to upgrade its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Peter Butterworth, Manufacturing Operations Director at C-TEC, said: “Working with Made Smarter has fast-tracked our investment in fully integrating and digitising our warehousing operations.
“With approaching 9,000-line items of fast-moving raw materials, sub-assemblies and finished goods, a fully digitised system was essential, and the system implemented through support from Made Smarter has made us significantly more efficient, productive, environmentally friendly, created new jobs, upskilled our workforce and well positioned C-TEC for business growth.”
JJ Smith & Co. (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd, has adopted robotics and software to accelerate its development of automation solutions aimed at simplifying manufacturing processes to the woodworking sector.
Ian Stanley, Sales Director, said: “We have a clear strategy for digital transformation and business growth. This technology can revolutionise our approach to programming and testing. This rapid turnaround time enables us to provide our customers with proof of concept swiftly and efficiently, enhancing our responsiveness and improving our chances of securing sales, and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
“Made Smarter’s backing is important, and we are grateful for the expertise and enthusiasm the team has shown in support of our ambitions.”
Additive manufacturing specialists have also started their Made Smarter journey including: FDM Digital Solutions, based in Burnley; Additive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), based in Burscough; and Fusion Implants, based in Liverpool.
Other grants have been awarded to engineering companies including: One-O-Five Precision, based in Dalston; Premium Fabrications, based in Rochdale; Dobson and Beaumont, based in Blackburn; Northwest Waterjet, based in Chorley; Newfield Fabrications, based in Sandbach; Debron Fabrication, based in Widnes. Meanwhile, electronics manufacturers S K Electronics, based in Oldham, and IPEC, based in Stockport, will also invest in new technology.
One-O-Five Precision, a precision CNC manufacturer, is investing in new inspection technology.
Richard Pratt, Managing Director, said: “Working with MadeSmarter has been transformative. This investment has significantly enhanced our inspection procedures, allowing us to achieve greater accuracy and efficiency in quality control. This improvement is crucial as we continue to grow our reputation in the nuclear, defence and aerospace sectors, where precision and quality are paramount.”
Commenting on the latest milestone and grant awards, Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said: “These technology projects will have a tremendous impact on individuals, businesses, the sector and society. They will boost efficiency, productivity and growth, creating new jobs and upskilling existing roles, all while shifting the dial on creating a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
“I welcome these 23 companies into the Made Smarter family. Alongside the hundreds who have already reaped the rewards of the adoption programme, we have now invested over £25m into the digital transformation of the sector.
“Celebrating milestones is important. It permits my fantastic team to take stock of the achievement and then commit to improving the services we offer to continue the Made Smarter mission.”
As well as grants, Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers access to funded support including digital transformation workshops to create a digital roadmap, impartial and expert technology advice, and leadership and skills training.
For more information, register your business.
Dobson and Beaumont, based in Blackburn, is a specialist precision engineering company focusing on thread rolling.
With the support of Made Smarter, the 107-year-old business has invested in a high resolution, high accuracy machine for the rapid measurement of small cylindrical parts.
Richard Guest, Managing Director, said: “Maintaining our strong reputation for quality products and staying competitive in our sector requires a strategy of investment in our people and technologies.
“Our new machine has rapidly increased inspection times and efficiency, improved operator confidence and opened up further growth opportunities.
“Made Smarter’s backing has accelerated this area of our ongoing digital transformation and given the business a massive boost.”
Additive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), based in Burscough, is a family-run additive manufacturing specialist.
Katie Higham, Chief Operations Officer, said: “The grant funding has enabled purchase of game-changing technology to increase our offering in the world of additive manufacturing. This has made us more productive through end-to-end digitalisation of our manufacturing processes.
“The support we have received from Made Smarter has been crucial to enhance our in-house technological capabilities, while supporting our digital transformation and upskilling our staff.”
Arc Elevators, based in Nelson, a manufacturer of lifts, has invested in a new field service management system with the support of Made Smarter.
Becky Lang, Operations Manager, said: "Arc Elevators has greatly benefited from our experience with the Made Smarter programme. Through their support, we have been able to implement the ‘BigChange’ job management software, which has completely transformed our operations. Previously, we relied on paper-based processes, but now, with digitalisation and automation, we’ve streamlined our workflows across the entire business. This has significantly improved our efficiency, productivity, and customer service, while also boosting profits.
“The technology has not only reduced the margin for error but also allowed us to operate more effectively, making a positive impact on our bottom line. We’re excited about the continued benefits this will bring to Arc Elevators as we grow."
BrickByBrick23, based in Glossop, manufactures personalised photoblocks using LEGO® Bricks.
With the support of Made Smarter, the company has invested in software and barcode scanners to improve data and systems integration, as well as a laser engraving machine.
Katie Benn, Co-Founder alongside partner Stephen Noble, said: “We set up this company two years ago and its growth has been extraordinary with customers all over the world. Having invested in new premises and expanded the team, the time was right to invest in new technology to help us grow sustainably.
“We are grateful for the backing of Made Smarter who have helped us develop a digital strategy and take this next step.”
Gardner Engineering, based in Preston, is a manufacturer of CCTV brackets for the retail sector. With the support of Made Smarter, it is investing in automation technology.
Matt Philp, Managing Director, said: “This project will enable our business to make products faster and more efficiently, giving us more flexibility to expand into new markets and growing turnover. Another aspect of this investment is the opportunity to upskill my brilliant team of engineers with the latest digital technologies, and be an attractive career prospect for the next generation of engineers.”
Premium Fabrications, based in Rochdale, is a manufacturer of stainless steel fabrications. With the support of Made Smarter, it invested in automation and software.
Barbara Smyth, Owner, said: "Working with Made Smarter has had a massive impact on our business. Its support has enabled us to become more efficient, productive, profitable, and enabled us to reach more customers. It has also created new jobs including an apprentice and helped us to upskill our existing workforce. Without this investment we would have been years away from the progress we have achieved."
Esspee Fabrications, based in St Helens, is a manufacturer of electrical and high temperature insulation materials.
Stuart Hanlon, Production Director, said: "Working with Made Smarter has been a pivotal step in our business, allowing us to streamline operations and significantly improve efficiency. By leveraging their guidance, we've been able to reduce production time while maintaining the exceptional quality our customers expect.
“Through our partnership, we’ve also seen substantial up-skilling of our team by utilising Made Smarter’s tailored training programme. This has not only increased productivity but also empowered our staff to take on more complex and technical roles within the company.
“Made Smarter’s involvement has also enabled us to fast-track investment in new cutting-edge machinery. Their expertise and support helped us identify the right solutions quickly, ensuring we could implement new technology that aligns with our long-term goals for innovation and growth."
Duo UK, based in Manchester, is a packaging manufacturer.
It has invested in a cloud-based software solution which captures shop floor data from machinery via sensors and displays it in real-time on a web app.
Tom Gibson, Production Manager, said: “Made Smarter’s support, in terms of its guidance, the grant and workforce development, has not only made this data and systems integration project a reality but accelerated our future plans.”