51 manufacturers target growth through innovation

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

A new scheme has been set up by Made Smarter, one of the UK's government-backed manufacturing initiatives, which encourages growth through innovation for industry SMEs through a series of workshops.

These workshops are designed to accelerate manufacturing growth by identifying digital tools and technologies that can maximise operational procedures and enhance business growth with the ultimate aim of turning the North West of England into a powerhouse of innovation, efficiency and growth.

All courses offered are bespoke and tailor-made for client requirements and generally involve two online sessions, a two-hour diagnostics reading followed by a one-hour findings presentation where practical and realistic solutions are devised for that business's problems.

Included in the workshops are easy-to-use guides on how to take their first steps, a technology roadmap, and information on how to get further support from the programme such as funding for digital tools.

Made Smarter has already previously been supported by the government in setting up a nationwide initiative for innovation coming out of the coronavirus pandemic and moving the UK towards Industry 4.0. Now their approach hopes to encourage similar levels of innovation concentrated into a smaller area.

The scheme has also encouraged innovation in the North West in the past, helping manufacturers navigate the various issues brought on by the onset of the Covid-19 crisis with their current scheme hoping to tackle what comes next - how growth can help them thrive in a post-Covid Britain.

So far 51 SMEs across Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside have either signed up to or finished the course since their launch in August. They include:

  1. Wirral-based juice dispenser manufacturer GenerationJuice.
  2. R&E Bamford, a specialist manufacturer of pigeon corn, bird, and small animal feeds, based in Leyland, Lancashire.
  3. Multiwood Products, distributors of kitchen door and components, based in Bury, Greater Manchester.
  4. Arden Dies, a Stockport-based die-maker and packaging company.

Kevin Smith, one of the specialists running the workshop, said: "The use of technologies is becoming essential in order to cut costs and enhance the customer experience. Without capitalising on digital tools, SME manufacturers risk getting left behind. A digital transformation workshop will ultimately help a business gain a competitive advantage.

"As advisers, we cut through the jargon to provide honest advice to help the business identify the most effective technologies to overcome their operational challenges. We take a holistic view of the business and demonstrate the steps required in order to achieve a move to digital - it's a quick way of gaining real, valuable insights.

"We have designed these workshops in a way that required minimal time investment for manufacturers to turn the actions into results while still allowing participants to focus on the day-to-day operations of their business."

Donna Edwards, programme director for Made Smarter North West adoption pilot, said: "Upgrading to new technologies can seem like a complex and daunting task. SMEs can miss out on significant improvements to their operations. With a bespoke digital manufacturing roadmap, we are able to provide the manufacturers with a vision on how to move forward progressively and sustainably.

"The challenges created by Covid-19 offered us an opportunity to review how we can best help SME manufacturer ensure digital is a key part of their business strategy and take that first step to digital transformation.

"Our face-to-face workshops were a huge success and have made a substantial difference to many of the region's makers. I am delighted that we have been able to adapt by redesigning ad streamlining the workshop process to make it simpler, faster and more effective, and deliver it online."

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