LCR 4.0, a business support programme to develop big data, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality and 3D printing for the manufacturing sector, is set to create almost a thousand jobs over the next 3 years.
Partly supported by the European Regional Development Fund, the Liverpool-based project is expected to generate £31m in GVA.
“There is a truly entrepreneurial spirit running through Liverpool City Region,” said Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
“Because of this, the region can become, and in my opinion is becoming, a manufacturing global hotspot. Programmes like LCR 4.0 are making that possible, establishing innovative and dynamic manufacturing communities across the six boroughs.”
To date, LCR 4.0 has created 80 new jobs and added £2.6m GVA, working with almost 300 SMEs.
“These figures are real testament to the impact of the LCR 4.0 programme to date and that, if a business starts to operate in a more innovative way, they will generate better results quicker,” added Dr Andy Levers, technical director at the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) and technical lead for LCR 4.0.
Following its success, SMEs are now being encouraged to get involved with Made Smarter UK – a new £20 million initiative set to engage with 3,000 manufacturers across the North West to embed advanced digital technology across the sector.
“We’re well on our way to fulfil our potential as a hub of advanced manufacturing,” continued Rotheram.
“What we need now is to collaborate and embrace new techniques and processes which will drive growth. The £20m Made Smarter initiative will follow in LCR 4.0’s footsteps and offer hundreds of SME manufacturers the chance to do just that, backed by a programme of guidance, advice and grants.”
