North West SME’s get government-backed Industry 4.0 grant

Nine companies based in the North West are the first in the UK to benefit from a government programme designed to boost manufacturing productivity and growth through the adoption of digital technology.

The businesses are part of the £20 million Made Smarter Programme, which will help them to grow by adopting new digital technologies.

Based in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region, the nine companies are set to introduce 12 advanced manufacturing methods including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics.

The investment is expected to bring benefits including improved productivity and revenues, increased export sales, job creation, upskilling existing workforces, digital integration with supply chains, improved safety practices and reduced environmental impact.

For these nine businesses alone, the Made Smarter business support programme could deliver an additional £5.5 million in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy.

Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “I am delighted that the Made Smarter pilot has now supported the first successful SME applications.

“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.”

They are the first tranche of firms to grasp the opportunity offered by the pilot scheme, which aims to engage with over 3,000 manufacturing SMEs in the North West and increase the region’s GVA by up to £115 million.

Made Smarter is an investment between government and industry which includes match funding opportunities and the provision of dedicated technical and business support for SMEs adopting digital technology, to support advanced manufacturing. The initiative is the result of the Made Smarter Commission - a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the private sector.

Co-chaired by business secretary Greg Clark, and CEO of Siemens Juergen Maier, the Commission includes representatives from 17 UK manufacturers, technology companies and business representative bodies.