Medtech manufacturer Parity Medical has adopted industrial digital technologies designed to boost its growth and productivity after securing funding through the Made Smarter programme.
Based in the Liverpool City Region, the business makes mobile wireless computer carts for clinics and hospitals. It is among 62 businesses investing in a range of technologies including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), industrial internet of things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics to solve business challenges across a range of manufacturing functions.
300 North West SMES have secured support, including specialised advice and £1.6 million of funding, in the first year of the Made Smarter programme.
Support for local manufacturing SMEs includes advice and one-to-one support, digital roadmapping workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, eight-month leadership and management training programmes offered in partnership with Lancaster University, as well as funded three-month student placements.
Donna Edwards, programme director for the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “Over the last year the Made Smarter team has engaged with hundreds of makers from every corner of the region.
“We have found a great enthusiasm about the benefits of adopting new digital technology tempered by uncertainty of how to go about it.
“It’s clear that the SMEs need the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business, how much to invest and which technologies will bring the greatest benefits.
“This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region.
“Made Smarter is relevant for any North West SMEs employing less than 250 staff who make, create, manufacture or engineer. The interest we have received in the first year has been incredible. I urge local businesses to get in touch and find out how digital technology can transform their business.”
The £20 million pilot programme was launched in November 2018, becoming operational in January 2019, and runs until March 2021.
The pilot will inform how best to support SME manufacturers in the adoption of new industrial digital technologies.
Andrea Thompson, chair of the Made Smarter Commission's North West Pilot and BAE's managing director for Europe & International Programmes, said: "We recognise that the move towards advanced technologies can be intimidating, which is why Made Smarter offers a raft of additional support to help manufacturers take that first step.
"This includes guidance on creating an effective digital roadmap to ensure the right technology is taking your business towards digitalisation, drive engagement between industry, universities and research institutes with the student placements programme, and a leadership training programme designed to identify the best digital tools and use them to make everyday improvements to business.”
During its first 12 months a series of events in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington, Lancashire, Cumbria and Liverpool has allowed Made Smarter’s team of advisers to connect with businesses operating in a wide-range of sectors including engineering, aerospace, food and beverage, agriculture, steel, chemicals and textiles.
The North West pilot is being overseen by the Made Smarter Commission – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and industry leaders.
Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens and co-chair of the commission, said: “When we launched Made Smarter in November 2018 our ambition was to kick start a new industrial revolution for the manufacturing sector and turn the UK into a world leader in digital technologies.
“I am thrilled that so many manufacturers in the North West have grasped what I believe is a once in a generational opportunity to boost productivity, create high value and highly paid jobs of the future. Our task now is to scale this up and see what other regions can learn from the great work that’s already being done here.”
