A programme helping North West manufacturers invest in industrial digital technology has so far delivered 334 projects in the North West, which are forecast to create 1,550 jobs, upskill 2,772 existing roles, and increase North West GVA by £242m.
Made Smarter’s latest figures come as businesses across the region mark National Manufacturing Day today, Thursday September 28.
The Made Smarter programme was launched in Liverpool four years ago to help businesses digitalise, decarbonise, and drive growth. So far 2,500 manufacturers from across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Liverpool have engaged with the programme, with hundreds going on to receive support through grant funding, impartial technology advice and leadership and skills training to help transform their businesses.
Paul McLaren, production director for BAE Systems, and new chair of Made Smarter North West’s Steering Group said: “Made Smarter has demonstrated that targeted support can be a catalyst for growth and a real enabler for change. UK manufacturing is moving into a phase where resilience is as important as it has ever been. Made Smarter is helping SMEs create robust plans to deliver impactful results.”
Donna Edwards, Made Smarter North West Adoption programme director, added: “Made Smarter has been on an incredible journey over the last four years helping businesses navigate the Pandemic and recover, negotiate supply chain disruption, and labour shortages, as well as focus on solutions to mitigate the energy crisis.”
She added: “We have plenty more to do to increase the adoption of digital technologies to improve productivity.”
