Made Smarter publishes white paper

Made Smarter and technology demonstrators have joined forces to demystify digital transformation with a new white paper; ‘Made Smarter technologies: powering the digital transformation of SME manufacturers’ serves as a practical guide from the government-backed and industry-led technology adoption programme in the North West.

The free-to-download document aims to inform and inspire manufacturers exploring existing technologies such as software, industrial IoT, automation and robotics, 3D printing and cybersecurity, while also showcasing emerging digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins.

The white paper is backed by industry institutions who work with Made Smarter to demonstrate technology in action to SME manufacturers, including the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC); PrintCity, Manchester Metropolitan University’s 3D printing facility; the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC); the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) North West and the Hartree Centre.

The white paper also showcases Made Smarter-supported manufacturers already reaping the rewards of technology adoption, including: Fylde Fresh and Fabulous and First Play Dietary Foods.

“PrintCity is here to help demystify 3D printing to help boost productivity and growth within a business,” said Professor Carl Diver, Director, PrintCity. “Our multidisciplinary team has cultivated a strong partnership with Made Smarter to deliver innovation workshops which demonstrates to SME manufacturers that 3D printing can introduce unprecedented efficiency, flexibility, and innovation.

“We are delighted to support this new white paper to educate and inspire technology adoption among SME manufacturers.”

Since 2019, Made Smarter has helped 300 manufacturers invest £22.5m in a range of IDTs and reap a raft of rewards including 1600 new jobs, 2850 upskilled roles, all while boosting the economy by £242 million.

“Made Smarter’s adoption programme is helping SME manufacturers catch up with the wealth of digital tools and technologies currently available, for them to be ready to fully embrace the next great technological leap,” commented Donna Edwards, Director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme. “Over the last five years technology has shown its true colours in the form of growth, investment, employment, productivity, and a competitive advantage. The race is now on to fully capitalise on the opportunities that exist, as well as those on the horizon. Business leaders therefore need the skills, knowledge, and experience to respond to this rapid change.

“This new white paper brings all those elements together into a useful and simple to understand guide which business leaders and digital champions can download and share with their teams. We hope it is the starting point for further conversations with the Made Smarter team.”

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