1,700 new jobs will be created, and 3,300 existing roles upskilled with the backing of the North West adoption programme, following 23 more companies securing 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 manufacturing technology.
Digital Transformation Success Stories
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 and AI in manufacturing, 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’s more, the investments in technology and people are set to add £267m to the economy over the next three years. This approach demonstrates the programme's commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
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.
C-TEC: A Made Smarter Success Story
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.”
North West Companies Harness Manufacturing Technology
JJ Smith & Co. (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd has adopted robotics and software to accelerate its development of automation solutions aimed at simplifying manufacturing processes for 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.”
Leveraging Robotics and AI for Sustainable Growth
Additive manufacturing specialists have also started their Made Smarter journey, including:
- FDM Digital Solutions, based in Burnley
- Additive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), based in Burscough
- 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
One-O-Five Precision, a precision CNC manufacturer, is investing in new inspection technology.
Richard Pratt, Managing Director, said: “Working with Made Smarter 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.”
Conclusion
Made Smarter, through the North West adoption programme, has empowered businesses to embrace digital transformation, invest in manufacturing technology, and achieve sustainable manufacturing goals. The programme continues to enhance productivity, create new jobs, and support the upskilling of the workforce, driving lasting impacts on the economy and society.
