Making Sense of Digital Transformation for SME Manufacturers
Confusion around digital transformation is risking paralysis among SME manufacturers, says Made Smarter. Donna Edwards, director of the North West Adoption Programme, warns that tackling change in the wrong way risks wasted time and money. She explains that businesses are hesitant to commit to change due to a lack of confidence with technology and digital skills among leaders and employees. However, delaying digital transformation risks businesses being left behind or wasting valuable time, effort, and money.
Challenges in Digital Transformation for SMEs
Edwards notes that digital transformation is often viewed as daunting and confusing, with SME manufacturers lacking the resources and skills to approach it effectively. In the foreword of Made Smarter’s new white paper – Digital Transformation: A Made Smarter Roadmap for SME Manufacturers – Edwards cautions that many businesses hesitate or become paralyzed, risking missed opportunities and financial losses.
The free-to-download white paper provides a step-by-step guide for manufacturers seeking a successful transformation. It explains the concepts behind **digital transformation** and details the services available through the Made Smarter Adoption Programme. This includes success stories from manufacturers in regions such as the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humber, and the Midlands.
How Digital Transformation Drives SME Manufacturing Growth
Since launching in the North West five years ago, thousands of manufacturers have engaged with the Made Smarter Adoption Programme. They’ve benefited from impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops, digital leadership programs, and match-funded technology projects. As a result, North West GVA is forecast to grow by £242M in the coming years, with 1,300 new jobs created and 2,500 existing roles upskilled.
One success story featured in the white paper is AV Metals, a sheet metal manufacturer in Radcliffe. Co-managing director Scott Brooks praised the Made Smarter support, noting that their business is undergoing a transformation into a data-led organization with a new digital culture. Brooks highlighted the value of digital transformation, stating: “Once you take that first step, admit your flaws, and grasp the opportunities to fix things, you won’t look back.”
Overcoming Digital Skills Gaps in SME Manufacturing
The white paper also spotlights key partner organisations working with Made Smarter to help manufacturers digitalize and decarbonize. These partners include Make UK, Innovate UK, the Centre for People-Led Digitalisation (PLD), InterAct, and the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH). The collaboration between these organizations and Made Smarter supports SME manufacturers in adopting digital tools and embracing the opportunities of a connected, technology-driven future.
Digital Transformation Support for SME Manufacturers Across Regions
Adoption programs in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, and the Midlands are starting to impact regional productivity, job creation, and business growth. Following a Government commitment to a national rollout by 2027, every SME manufacturer in the UK will have regional access to a Made Smarter Adoption Programme. This will accelerate digital transformation across the country, helping businesses compete in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
As the 10th anniversary of the seminal Made Smarter Review approaches, Donna Edwards highlights the need to accelerate digital adoption: “The pace of change has quickened. We are shifting from Industry 4.0 to an emerging phase where humans work alongside advanced technology and AI-powered robots to enhance processes.” She urges more SME manufacturers to embrace the opportunities of digital transformation to avoid being left behind.
To download the white paper visit: madesmarter.uk/resources/digital-transformation-a-made-smarter-roadmap-for-sme-manufacturers/
