Cheshire SMEs back Made Smarter to power forward digital manufacturing

Manufacturers from Cheshire have urged others to follow in their footsteps by adopting technology and digital tools to survive and thrive.

Businesses from across the region shared their insights at the Made Smarter: journey to digital manufacturing conference which was attended by 300 delegates from across the industry.

They included Plastic Card Services, a plastic card manufacturer based in Macclesfield, and Twin Fix, a manufacturer of roof glazing and canopies based in Warrington.

They are among 1,200 businesses that have engaged with the Made Smarter North West Adoption programme over the last two years

Now after securing additional funding from the government, Made Smarter is looking to engage with hundreds more manufacturers in the city region, offering matched funded grants towards technology projects; expert, impartial technology advice; digital transformation workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business; a leadership programme; and funded digital technology internships.

Louise Ray, Director of Marketing and Communications, was part of a panel discussing on using technology to boost business resilience.

She said: "When we started our conversation with Made Smarter we were looking at tech adoption as a one-off project. However, Made Smarter made us step back, bring different teams together, and talk through the business from top to bottom.  What emerged is a long term view of what we can achieve and quite a few different projects in the pipeline.

"We took advantage of the downturn in work early on in the pandemic to accelerate our plan and we are starting to notice the differences already.”

"My advice to any manufacturer thinking about the future is to embrace the support on offer and have an open mind. Made Smarter is a great opportunity for a business to take advantage of the monetary support, the advice, and have experienced people looking at your businesses. It has helped create a path for us. Go with it and see where it takes you."

Billed as an event for manufacturers by manufacturers, the free-to-access virtual summit showcased how Cheshire and Warrington businesses can leverage and fast-track digital technology and tools for a year of recovery, growth and resilience.

The conference also featured insights from industry leaders Juergen Maier, Chair of the Digital Catapult and co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission, Stephen Phipson, the Chief Executive of Make UK, Andrea Hough, MD of Atec Solutions and member of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group and Made Smarter Commission, Donna Edwards, Managing Director of the Growth Company and Made Smarter North West Adoption Programme Director, and Matt Ellis, Assistant Director of Made Smarter for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Leading the agenda was North West metro mayors Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) and Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region) who shared their insights about the importance of the manufacturing sector, the role for digital technology in driving the growth, and the benefits technology is bringing to the North West economy.

For more details about Made Smarter visit https://www.madesmarter.uk

About Made Smarter

Made Smarter is the UK national industrial digitalisation movement to drive productivity and growth of manufacturing industries and put the UK at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Backed by world-renowned businesses and working in partnership with the UK government, Made Smarter will make a real, everyday difference to people from the boardroom to the factory floor.

Made Smarter was formed following a nationwide review into UK manufacturing that recommended key changes: more ambitious leadership; greater innovation in developing new technologies; faster implementation and adoption of these technologies; and deeper understanding of the sector’s skills requirements. We’ll be boosting digital skills in the sector, bringing businesses and R&D together to develop new technology, and helping makers embrace new digital tools. In doing so, we’ll inspire the next industrial revolution and make the UK a leader in digital technologies.

Pictured - Made Smarter conference - Main panel discussion - Juergen Maier, Stephen Phipson, Andrea Hough, Glyn Jones, Donna Edwards, Matt Ellis, Nick Peters.