With digital disruption rife in manufacturing, how to remain competitive in this age remains a crucial question of our time. Utilising advanced technology solutions and building an eco-system of support will ultimately make entire operations ‘smarter’.
Helping to shape a coherent digital technology eco-system for manufacturers is more essential than perhaps ever before.
Strengthening regional partnerships between local authorities, industry, delivery bodies and digital technology assets could be key to enabling this.
The Made Smarter North West Pilot – this forms part of the government’s Industrial Strategy – offers digital service providers the opportunity to be part of a dedicated industrial technology eco-system that will equip the North West with digital education, skills, technology expertise, advice and guidance, integration, asset and infrastructure support.
The strength and diversity of this eco-system will ultimately propel the region forward by enabling SME manufacturers wherever they are on their digital journey to understand and deploy IDT.
A strengthened manufacturing eco-system
Made Smarter will engage with 3000 North West Manufacturers and provide intensive support to 600, giving them access to expert advice and significant match funding opportunities to invest in advanced technology solutions including robotics, IOT, 3D printing, AR, VR, blockchain and more. Suppliers are encouraged to sign up and be part of that expertise.
This engagement will be across the five North West Growth Hubs, Greater Manchester; Liverpool City Region; Cumbria; Lancashire; Cheshire and Warrington.
It is no secret that the benefits from adopting digital technology solutions in manufacturing are numerous; it can transform operations, processes and products.
A full adoption could even spur a 25% manufacturing productivity increase over the next ten years.
Despite this, the Made Smarter Review reports that low adoption levels of industrial digital technology and poor leadership is holding back Britain’s manufacturing productivity.
Manufacturers need to introduce advanced technology-led solutions
For the UK to remain a world-leader in manufacturing, integrating smart technology solutions and strategies is essential.
The Made Smarter programme will enable technology providers and manufacturers to work in tandem and further advance the sector. The programme will work with existing productivity and digital skills initiatives in the North West, including ‘Be the Business’ and the ‘Digital Skills Partnership’.
Ambitiously, it also aims to increase regional GVA by up to £115m, this of course a significant boost to the area.
Be a leader with Made Smarter.
With Made Smarter, Brainboxes Ltd, a British developer of data and I/O connectivity solutions, will have the chance to join forces with a broad pool of manufacturing expertise and know how to deliver comprehensive digital support to SME’s in multiple sectors. The scheme means that Brainboxes will have an opportunity to solve SME productivity challenges with complementary service providers to strengthen the position of NW manufacturers in a highly competitive global marketplace.How can digital solution providers benefit from the Made Smarter?
Start your own revolution!
Discover how you can help build the North West’s digital manufacturing future, register for an assessment at MadeSmarter.uk
