Firms set to benefit from £20m fund
THE region’s manufacturing sector has been given a £20m boost to kick start a fourth industrial revolution.
The fund has been designed to embed advanced digital technology across the north west’s manufacturing sector to boost productivity.
Backed by the government and some of the world’s biggest businesses, the Made Smarter North West programme is set to engage with 3,000 SME manufacturers based in Greater Manchester and across the north west.
Greater Manchester companies which get involved in the project will get the chance to access match funded support and advice regarding how industrial digital technologies (IDT), including robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and the Internet of Things (IoT), could revolutionise their manufacturing processes.
A number of firms will also qualify for more intensive business support, gaining access to match-funded grants, bespoke consultancy, mentoring and other resources.
It is anticipated that by becoming a test-bed for new types of technologies and processes, the region’s manufacturing sector could generate a 25 per cent increase in productivity and add £115m to the region’s economy.
One company that is already deploying digital technology to its manufacturing process is Rochdale-based Crystal Doors, a vinyl door manufacturer which uses robotics, 3D modelling and hi-tech dust extraction technology across its operations.
Richard Hagan, Crystal Doors managing director, said: “When I tell people we make doors many of them picture a sawdust-filled workshop, tins of wood stain and boxes of door handles.
“However, when they visit our facility and see the level of automation we utilise, and the precision technology which we apply to production, they are genuinely stunned.
“The efficiencies such processes bring also impact massively on our bottom line and I would encourage any Greater Manchester manufacturer, from any sector, to explore how an initiative like Made Smarter North West could change the way they work.”
A formal partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the private sector, the programme is overseen by the Made Smarter Commission. Co-chaired by Business Secretary Greg Clarke, and CEO of Siemens Juergen Maier, the Commission includes representatives from 17 leading employers and organisations.
Mr Maier said: “Made Smarter has the potential to kick start a new industrial revolution for our manufacturing sector and be a catalyst for new investment in the latest digital technologies.”
Made Smarter will be delivered across Greater Manchester by the GC Business Growth Hub, while its regional roll-out will be co-ordinated by Donna Edwards, managing director for business support and business finance at the Growth Company.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Through Made Smarter North West we now have a fantastic opportunity to embed digital technology and advanced manufacturing throughout our manufacturing industry and wider supply chains.”