Made Smarter has empowered 20 more digital leaders with the strategy and skills to pursue smarter manufacturing through innovation with its leadership programme.
The Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme, part of Made Smarter North West Adoption – a government-funded industry-led initiative – focuses on equipping SME manufacturers with the strategies and skills to adopt cutting-edge digital technologies.
Participants hail from manufacturing SMEs that produce aerospace components, cakes, dies, play equipment, and mudguards. They span the spectrum of the workforce, from owners and managers to design and production operatives.
The funded programme is delivered over three months with Manchester Metropolitan University, blending face-to-face workshops, online webinars, case studies to see technology in action, and a site visit to PrintCity, Manchester Met’s 3D additive and digital manufacturing centre.
The latest graduates represent a wide range of industries, from aerospace and precision engineering to food manufacturing and bespoke metalwork. They include:
- Aerospace and engineering: Silcoms (Bolton), Velden Engineering (Bolton)
- Food & Beverage: Bakes By Gina (Whitehaven), Bubble Panda (Manchester), Firstplay Dietary Foods (Stockport)
- Metalwork: C&C Baseline Architectural (Wigan), XL Engineering (Sandbach)
- Other Specialities: Fireproof Fire Engineering (Oldham), Prismo Global (Chorley); Gaffey Technical Services (Accrington); Arden Dies (Stockport); Massey and Harris (Stockport); Bartell Cottage Furnishings (Newton Heath), JonesCo (Preston), Halite Salts (Manchester)
Gina Goulding, Owner of Bakes By Gina, a manufacturer of homemade artisan cakes, said: “My business has been on an incredible growth journey, which meant I never had time to reflect on where we are. The leadership programme gave me precious headspace with like-minded individuals and gave me skills to empower my staff to take the reins.”
Adam Smith, Project Co-ordinator at C&C Baseline Architectural, a manufacturer of bespoke architectural metalwork solutions, said: “This programme has reinforced the importance of keeping up with technology to not fall behind in the industry and lose our competitive edge. It also gave me new tools to help plan and manage projects as part of a broader strategy. It has given me huge confidence in tackling change and how to articulate the benefits of bringing in new technology and processes.”
Brian Holliday, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission and MD of Siemens Digital Industries, attended the LDT showcase event at Engine Rooms at Birchwood Park, Warrington.
He said: “It was an absolute privilege to meet this latest group of creators and makers to complete our trailblazing Leading Digital Transformation programme and to listen to their inspirational stories. While these businesses operate in vastly different sectors, there is a consistency in the way they recognise the importance of people, process, strategy and adoption of technology.”
Since it was launched in 2023, the LDT programme has transformed 54 delegates into digitally-informed, empowered leaders armed with a bespoke digitalisation strategy. This is in addition to the 62 business leaders equipped with new digital skills through Made Smarter’s leadership initiative run between 2019 and 2023.
Manufacturers across the North West are now encouraged to register their interest for the next series of programmes.
Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter’s Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist Adviser, said: “Made Smarter has taken a people-first approach to helping SME manufacturers adopt technology tools to take their businesses forward.
“Our Leading Digital Transformation programme is designed to be flexible for manufacturing leaders to fit around their busy schedules, allowing them to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas, experiences and opportunities with their peers in manufacturing.
“This supports leaders to take their entire organisation and people through digital transformation successfully and maximise the opportunities for their business.”
Since its launch in 2019, Made Smarter has supported over 2,500 manufacturers across the North West, helping them access expert digital advice, adoption strategies, and leadership development. Manufacturers in the region are encouraged to register for the next series of programmes to unlock new opportunities for digital transformation and growth.
To register your interest or learn more about the Leading Digital Transformation programme, visit madesmarter.uk.
