A bakery and oven manufacturer are the latest to secure backing from Made Smarter’s adoption programme, which seeks to support manufacturers in digitalisation and smarter tools.
Studio Bakery, an artisan bakery producing traybakes and cakes based in Clitheroe, England and Chandley Ovens, a manufacturer of commercial bakery equipment are the latest in a line of businesses beginning their digitalisation journey to benefit their bottom line and the environment.
This means 300 businesses have now received matched funding from the government-funded, industry-backed initiative to adopt technologies that include sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI) in their scope.
“Working with Made Smarter has been transformational for our bakery business. At a time where we were rapidly expanding, they were there to support us. New technology has increased our productivity and made us more efficient. We’re now able to meet our increased orders and we’re ready for the next stage of our expansion,” commented Allison Metcalf, Managing Director of Studio Bakery, who used Made Smarter support to create a digital roadmap and invest in a new cutting machine.
“As a newly formed employee-owned business, with a brand new manufacturing site and a strategy focused on building a new future for Chandley Ovens, Made Smarter has been the perfect partner. Their support has enabled us to build an IT platform suited for our rapidly growing service business, to procure modern equipment and to develop our product ranges to lead the way in control, energy efficiency and ease of use,” added Emma Pattison, Managing Director of Chandley Ovens, who have invested in new software.
The 350 technology projects backed by Made Smarter over the last five years, are forecasting the creation of almost 1600 new jobs and over 2850 upskilled roles, and are set to add UK£242m to the economy over the next three years.
“I am incredibly proud of what the Made Smarter team has achieved over the last five years. These milestones are simultaneously a moment to celebrate, as well as a reminder that our work is by no means done,” said Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West. “Our mission is to engage with the thousands of manufacturers out there who we are certain could benefit from our support. As such we are redoubling our efforts to reach more businesses, and to inspire and inform them about the benefits of technology adoption.
“For many this may be helping them take the first step to digitise manual and paper-based systems or using sensors to capture vital production data. But for others with a digital infrastructure in place, they may be ready for more sophisticated, boundary-pushing technologies such as analytics, machine learning and AI, which are evolving at unprecedented speed.
“Digital isn’t coming – it’s arrived. Adopting technologies at the right time and in the right way is the key to unlocking real benefits for industry, society and the planet.”
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Caitlin Gittins
Editor, International Bakery
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