Based in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region, the nine companies are set to introduce 12 advanced manufacturing methods including artificial intelligence (AI), industrial internet of things (IIoT), 3D printing and robotics.
The investment is expected to bring extensive benefits including improved productivity and revenues, increased export sales, job creation, upskilling existing workforces, digital integration with supply chains, improved safety practices and reduced environmental impact.
For these nine businesses alone, the Made Smarter business support programme could deliver an additional £5.5 million in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy.
Firms set to benefit from the pilot scheme include: EnviroSystems, based in Preston; Abbey Group, based in Knowsley, DT Engineering North West, based in Widnes; Graham Engineering, based in Nelson; T&R Precision Engineering, based in Colne; The Nursery Kitchen, based in Birkenhead; Fusion Implants, based in Liverpool; Mackinnon and Saunders, based in Altrincham; and Applied Nutrition, based in Liverpool.
They are the first tranche of firms to grasp the opportunity offered by the pilot scheme, which aims to engage with over 3,000 manufacturing SMEs in the North West and increase the region’s GVA by up to £115 million.
Up to 600 North West firms will also qualify for more in-depth support including mentoring from senior industry figures, a leadership & management programme specifically designed to support leaders to implement digital change and grants towards the cost of new equipment.
Made Smarter is an investment between government and industry which includes match funding opportunities and the provision of dedicated technical and business support for SMEs adopting digital technology, to support advanced manufacturing. The initiative is the result of the Made Smarter Commission - a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the private sector.
Co-Chaired by Business Secretary Greg Clark, and CEO of Siemens Juergen Maier, the commission includes representatives from 17 leading UK manufacturers, technology companies and business representative bodies.
Made Smarter www.madesmarter.uk
