Made Smarter Adoption North West, the digital technology adoption programme, announced securing an additional £230,000 to allow more SME manufacturers access transformational technology.
The allocation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to fund at least 10 new companies to adopt technoloiges spanning sensors, robotics and 3D printers to increase productivity, growth, create new high-value jobs and support decarbonisation efforts.
The cash boost marks good news for the business support initiative, that will continue from April 2025 as part of the Government’s £16m commitment to expand into all English regions.
“I am delighted that DBT have allocated a further £230k of in-year funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West. The majority will go towards supporting our strong pipeline of companies to adopt new digital tools to accelerate their digital transformation,” said Alain Dilworth, Programme Manager. “The opportunity to be able to support more manufacturing and engineering SMEs is something we relish, and we urge those companies who have yet to make contact with us to do so.”
Made Smarter Adoption North West is to celebrate its seventh anniversary this January. The programme was established to accelerate technology adoption in SME manufacturing and engineering businesses lacking in-house resources and know-how. The programme is run by a team of 16 with expertise in manufacturing, technology and organisational development.
To date, the programme has engaged with 2,500 companies and offered technology advice to over 500 individual businesses. 330 of those have secured over £7m in grants to invest in 379 technology projects backed by £18m of their own money.
Furthermore, over 200 businesses have embedded new digital skills into their operations through Made Smarter leadership programmes, internships and other training opportunities. Half of the 75 digital internships placed with businesses resulted in permanent job offers.
“This additional funding package is testament to the positive impact that Made Smarter North West is having,” said Donna Edwards, Director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme. “Our programme has been designed specifically for manufacturers, offering specialist advice to help them select the right approach, level of investment and tools to grow and build resilience.
“As we enter our 7th year, we are more determined than ever to reach more SME manufacturers across the sector to talk to them about the benefits of introducing new technologies and new digital skills.”
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