Billed as an event ‘for manufacturers by manufacturers’, the free-to-access virtual summit on 10th March will showcase how businesses can leverage and fast-track digital technology and tools for a year of recovery, growth and resilience.
Leading the agenda will be North West metro mayors Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) and Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region) who will share their insights about the importance of the manufacturing sector, the role for digital technology in driving the growth, and the benefits technology is bringing to the North West economy.
There will also be panel discussions and roundtable debates, interactive workshops, a virtual expo of the latest digital manufacturing technologies, and business advice sessions, giving attendees access to support available to grow their organisation.
Almost 300 delegates have so far registered to attend the packed one-day programme, which runs from 9am until 5pm, and will be hosted virtually using PixelMax, an interactive online platform.
With registration closing at Midday on 5th March, manufacturers are urged to book their places at the conference here.
Donna Edwards, programme director, Made Smarter Adoption Programme, NW, said: “The response to the conference has been incredible confirming that there is significant appetite among manufacturers of all sizes across all sectors to learn about how technology can support growth, productivity and efficiency gains, and create the smart and highly skills job of the future.
“We have designed a full programme to tackle the 'why?', 'what?' and 'how?' of digital manufacturing, incorporating a blend of industry leaders, experts, and real-life examples of those who have started their digital journey.
“There really is something for everyone at the Made Smarter: The journey to digital manufacturing conference and I would urge manufacturers not to miss out on what is certain to be a packed day of analysis, inspiration, and practical tips.”
Live panel sessions include:
How Made Smarter is powering the fourth industrial revolution, facilitated by journalist and broadcaster Nick Peters and featuring manufacturing leaders including Juergen Maier, co-chair of the Made Smarter Commission and chair of the Digital Catapult, Glyn Jones, service delivery director at BAE Systems and chair of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group, Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK and member of the Made Smarter Commission, Andrea Hough, MD of Atec Solutions and member of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group and Made Smarter Commission, Donna Edwards, managing director of the Growth Company and Made Smarter North West Adoption Programme Director, and Matt Ellis, assistant director of Made Smarter for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The journey to digital: The manufacturers perspective, facilitated by Jayne Moorby from Oxley Group and featuring real-life examples from manufacturers about the value technology has brought to their businesses including Keith Scobie-Youngs (Cumbria Clock Company), Peter Saunders, (MacKinnon and Saunders), Rod Wah (Beverston Engineering), and Luke Walsh (Brainboxes).
Using technology to boost business resilience in an uncertain world, facilitated by Simon Reid from Growth Platform and featuring Julian Lopez (Storth), Patrick Mroczak (Nutree Life), Louise Ray (Plastic Card Services), Chris Lever (Bindatex), and Fadi Jarad (Sandstone Wirral).
The teams of tomorrow: engaging and upskilling your workforce, facilitated by Ruth Hailwood from Made Smarter and featuring Sarah Dhanda (Enginuity), Joe Crolla (Greater Manchester Combined Authority), Sarah Poynter (Arden Dies), Rebecca Lee-Panton and Luke Hickson (Fabricon Design).
Sustainable manufacturing: how technology is leading the way, facilitated by Poppy Brewer from Accenture, and featuring Ben Horne (Crystal Doors); Phil Milar (Creative Apparel); Jamie Baxter, (DA Techs), and David Reardon (Bloom-in-Box).
Also, on the agenda is a roundtable focussed on the importance of customer trust and the role of technology, facilitated by Kevin Smith from Made Smarter, and featuring Steve Wood (Parity Medical), Sean Parnaby (Contactless Check Solutions), Karen Callard (Starlight Bedrooms), and Noel Doyle (Organica UK).
Made Smarter www.madesmarter.uk
