Donna Edwards, programme director, Made Smater North West.
Twenty-three small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers, including a cupcake maker, have received backing from the Made Smarter initiative, which is driving digital transformation in the manufacturing sector.
Cupcakes By Sophia, based in Blackburn, UK, is using a grant to support technology investment.
It means Made Smarter has now reached a major milestone – backing North West companies to invest £25m in new technologies.
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, 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 is more, the investments in technology and people are set to add £267m to the economy over the next three years.
Commenting on the latest milestone and grant awards, Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said: “These technology projects will have a tremendous impact on individuals, businesses, the sector and society. They will boost efficiency, productivity and growth, creating new jobs and upskilling existing roles, all while shifting the dial on creating a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
“I welcome these 23 companies into the Made Smarter family. Alongside the hundreds who have already reaped the rewards of the adoption programme, we have now invested over £25m into the digital transformation of the sector.
“Celebrating milestones is important. It permits my fantastic team to take stock of the achievement and then commit to improving the services we offer to continue the Made Smarter mission.”
As well as grants, Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers access to funded support including digital transformation workshops to create a digital roadmap, impartial and expert technology advice, and leadership and skills training.
