Medtech player signs up to digital technology programme

A medtech manufacturer has signed up to a business-led programme which aims to use digital technology to boost growth and success.

By implementing advances in data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), industrial internet of Things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics, firms can enhance their profitability and competitive edge.

The investment is expected to bring benefits including improved productivity and revenues, increased export sales, job creation, providing new skills to workforces, integration with supply chains and reduced environmental impact.

Eleven North West businesses, based in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington, Lancashire, Cumbria and Liverpool, operate in the food and beverage, engineering, healthcare and agriculture sectors, are set to introduce advanced manufacturing methods.

They will benefit from the £20 million Made Smarter Programme, which will help them to grow by adopting new digital technologies.

Among them is Cadscan, based in Chester, which has been innovating with 3D scanning products across a variety of markets including healthcare.

Dr Alastair Buchanan, managing director, said with the support and matched-funding offered by Made Smarter, Cadscan will be able to invest in a pilot smart-manufacturing facility that uses a patent-pending digital method to design and manufacture bespoke orthoses for the prevention of diabetic foot ulceration.

He said: "The current process to produce correctly fitting footwear to treat this condition - which affects millions of people globally each year - is slow to produce, bulky and expensive.

"Our solution aims to make cheap yet effective custom orthoses for which the socio-economic potential is considerable."

For these 11 businesses alone, the Made Smarter business support programme could deliver an additional £13 million in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years.

Minister for Business and Industry Nadhim Zahawi said: “The Made Smarter Programme is enabling manufacturers across the North West to access advanced digital technologies with the aim of driving growth and increasing productivity while reducing costs - all part of our ambition to make the UK a global leader in shaping how the modern world does business.

“The 11 new companies announced today will not only reap the benefits themselves, the investment will support a multi-million-pound boost to the local economy, keeping the region at the forefront of the latest innovations. They join 24 businesses who have received project funding to date, and I would urge others to follow in their footsteps.”

The new firms to sign up to Made Smarter follow a pioneering tranche of nine manufacturers already part of the pilot, which aims to engage with over 3,000 manufacturing SMEs in the North West.

Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “I am thrilled to welcome another tranche of SMEs to the Made Smarter pilot.

“Working with business we have found that they are enthusiastic about the benefits of adopting new digital technology. Often, they need funding support, but also the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business. 

“This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region." 

Up to 600 North West firms will also qualify for more in-depth support including mentoring from senior industry figures, a leadership and management programme specifically designed to support leaders to implement digital change, and match-funded grants towards the cost of new software or hardware.