A £2.2 million initiative spearheaded by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is revolutionising the Scottish manufacturing sector. Thus far, it has supported 90 organisations and trained 250 professionals in leveraging data science and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness. The Data-Driven Design and Manufacturing Colab (D3M Colab), managed by NMIS and operated by the University of Strathclyde as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is addressing the divide between manufacturing and digital technologies. It equips engineers with the necessary skills and confidence to implement data-driven methods in their operations.
Through practical projects and bespoke training, participating companies are utilising data to tackle industrial challenges such as optimising production processes and quality control, and improving equipment reliability. Companies are integrating these methods immediately, embedding data-driven decision-making where it can yield the greatest benefits. Collaborations with leading aerospace and energy businesses focus on automating energy-use analysis and employing 3D model-based tolerance tools to reduce emissions, minimise waste, and enhance component accuracy, thereby improving performance and diminishing rework.
To date, over 120 projects across sectors like food and drink, construction, and electronics have illustrated the tangible improvements in performance, quality, and sustainability achieved through data-driven approaches. An initiative with West College Scotland and Ailsa Reliability extends these advantages to the workforce pipeline, providing apprentices with hands-on experience in condition monitoring. This involves using sensors and digital systems to track machine health and identify early failure signs, ensuring the next generation of engineers is equipped with essential data-driven skills.
Andrew Sherlock, Director of Data-Driven Manufacturing at NMIS, stated, “Scotland’s manufacturers are ambitious about digital transformation, but many need structured support to turn awareness into action. This project provides companies with the tools, skills, and confidence to embed data-driven approaches within their organisations, unlocking improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness.”
Participants receive customised training in data science for manufacturing, followed by continuous support from the NMIS AI in Manufacturing team and PhD students from the University of Strathclyde to apply new methodologies. The UK Innovation Report 2025 highlights the growing adoption of AI, robotics, and data analytics across UK manufacturers to enhance efficiency and drive innovation. However, adoption remains uneven, with fewer than half of companies having fully integrated digital tools. D3M Colab aims to bridge this gap by offering Scottish manufacturers structured, practical support to trial new technologies without disrupting daily operations.
This project is part of the Glasgow City Region Innovation Accelerator programme, funded by Innovate UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation. The initiative is investing £100 million across 26 transformative R&D projects to accelerate growth in high-potential innovation clusters, including the Glasgow City Region.
