SME manufacturers in the North West of England will benefit from an additional £230,000 of funding to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies and boost their competitiveness.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has awarded the additional funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West, which will enable at least ten additional businesses to introduce transformative tools such as sensors, robotics and 3D printers.
The cash injection is welcome news for the digital adoption programme, which will continue from April 2025 under the Government’s £16 million commitment to roll out similar support initiatives across all English regions.
Made Smarter offers smaller manufacturing and engineering companies access to technology advice, leadership development and skills training, as well as grants for digital internships and implementation projects. The aim is to help companies increase productivity, strengthen growth, create high-quality jobs and support efforts to decarbonize the economy.
Alain Dilworth, Program Manager at Made Smarter Adoption North West, said: “We are delighted that the DBT has allocated a further £230,000 to support our ongoing mission. The majority of this funding will help companies accelerate their digital transformations, and we urge manufacturers who have not yet engaged with us to contact us.”
Made Smarter Adoption North West was launched seven years ago to help SMEs that lack the internal resources to embrace digital tools. Run by a team of 16 experts in manufacturing, technology and organizational development, it has already engaged 2,500 companies and provided personal advice to more than 500.
Of these, 330 companies have secured over £7 million in grants to fund 379 technology projects, with a total investment of £25 million (including £18 million from participating companies). This combined support is expected to create 1,700 new jobs, improve 3,200 existing jobs and add £267 million in gross value added (GVA) to the economy over the next three years.
More than 200 manufacturers have improved their operations through digital skills programs, with half of the 75 internships facilitated by Made Smarter leading to permanent positions.
Donna Edwards, director of the programme, said: “This additional funding recognizes the significant impact Made Smarter North West is having on the region’s manufacturing sector. Our approach is built around specialist advice to help companies select the most effective technologies for growth and resilience.
“As we enter our seventh year, we are more determined than ever to reach even more SMEs and illustrate how digital innovation can transform their operations, workforce and environmental footprint.”
Inspired by its success in the North West, the Made Smarter model has since been adopted in several other English regions including the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, the West Midlands and the East Midlands. This blueprint will guide the further development of the program in April 2025.