A programme that helps manufacturers adopt digital technology has received a £230,000 funding boost.
The extra funding for Made Smarter Adoption North West is from the Department for Business and Trade and will be used to help East Lancashire-based small manufacturing businesses access ‘transformational technology.’
This will include sensors, robotics, and 3D printers.
The aim is to increase productivity and growth, create new high-value jobs, and support decarbonisation.
Alain Dilworth, programme manager (Image: Supplied)
Alain Dilworth, programme manager, said: “I am delighted that DBT have allocated a further £230k of in-year funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West.
“The majority will go towards supporting our strong pipeline of companies to adopt new digital tools to accelerate their digital transformation.
“The opportunity to be able to support more manufacturing and engineering SMEs is something we relish, and we urge those companies who have yet to make contact with us to do so.”
So far, the programme has engaged with 2,500 companies and offered technology advice to more than 500 individual businesses.
Of those, 330 have secured more than £7 million in grants to invest in 379 technology projects.
This £25 million investment is expected to create more than 1,700 new jobs, improve the skills of 3,200 existing roles, and add £267 million in gross value added to the economy over the next three years.
The North West Adoption programme was the blueprint for current regional programmes operating in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, and the East Midlands.
Donna Edwards, director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme (Image: Supplied)
Donna Edwards, director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme, said: “This additional funding package is testament to the positive impact that Made Smarter North West is having.
“As we enter our 7th year, we are more determined than ever to reach more SME manufacturers across the sector to talk to them about the benefits of introducing new technologies and new digital skills.”