Small and medium-sized manufacturers in the North West of England will benefit from an additional £230,000 in funding to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies and boost their competitiveness.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has awarded additional funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West, enabling at least ten more companies to deliver transformative tools such as sensors, robots and 3D printers.
The injection of funds comes as welcome news for the Digital Adoption Programme, which is set to continue from April 2025 under the Government’s £16m pledge to roll out similar support initiatives across all English regions.
The Made Smarter program provides small manufacturing and engineering companies with access to technology advice, leadership development, and skills training, as well as grants for digital training and implementation projects. The goal is to help companies increase productivity, promote growth, create high-value jobs and support decarbonization efforts.
Alan Dilworth, Program Director at Made Smarter Adoption North West, said: “We are delighted that DBT has committed an additional £230,000 to support our ongoing mission. The majority of this funding will help businesses accelerate their digital transformations, and we would encourage any manufacturers who have not yet engaged with us to get in touch with us.” .
The Made Smarter Adoption North West program was launched seven years ago to help SMEs who lack internal resources to adopt digital tools. Run by a team of 16 manufacturing, technology and organizational development experts, it has already engaged 2,500 companies and provided personalized advice to more than 500 companies.
Of these, 330 companies received more than £7 million in grants to co-fund 379 technology projects, with a total investment of £25 million (including £18 million from participating companies). This combined support is expected to create 1,700 new jobs, enhance the skills of 3,200 existing jobs, and add £267 million in gross value added to the economy over the next three years.
More than 200 manufacturers have improved their operations through digital skills programmes, with half of the 75 internships facilitated by Made Smarter leading to permanent roles.
Donna Edwards, Program Director, said: “This additional funding recognizes the significant impact that Made Smarter North West has had on the region’s manufacturing sector. Our approach is based on specialist advice to help businesses choose the most effective technologies for growth and resilience.
“As we enter our seventh year, we are more determined than ever to reach more SMEs and show them how digital innovation can transform their operations, workforce and environmental footprint.”
Inspired by its success in the North West, the Made Smarter model has since been adopted in several other English regions, including the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands and East Midlands. This blueprint will guide the program’s further expansion in April 2025.
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