Revolution is underway in the North West as a £20 million initiative is set to transform the manufacturing landscape. The ambition is electrifying, targeting an array of advancements with industrial digital technologies.
The Made Smarter North West programme is designed to foster growth by integrating industrial digital technologies (IDTs) like robotics and artificial intelligence. This scheme stands as a pillar of modernisation, aiming to uplift 3,000 SMEs across Cheshire, Warrington, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Liverpool City region.
Through this initiative, manufacturers will access match-funded support, enabling them to revolutionise their processes. Such integration heralds a 25% increase in productivity, potentially adding £115 million to the regional economy.
A promising collaboration defines this venture, involving the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and esteemed private sector giants, including Siemens. This collaborative spirit is intended to initiate what is being hailed as a new industrial revolution.
Business Secretary Greg Clark and Siemens CEO Juergen Maier jointly helm the Made Smarter Commission. Their leadership is pivotal for supporting new opportunities and technologies.
Coordinated by Donna Edwards, the programme’s regional implementation is structured through local Growth Hubs. The team aims for an extensive outreach.
The team surrounding this initiative includes notable figures such as Steve Rotheram, the metro mayor of Liverpool, and representatives from local LEPs and Growth Hubs.
The official launch took centre stage during Digital Manufacturing Week and the Manufacturers Leaders’ Summit at Liverpool Arena.
The initiative’s success could see the North West reaffirming its place on the global stage in manufacturing excellence. Embracing digital technologies promises not only to enhance productivity but to catalyse a new era of innovation.
The heart of Made Smarter is stimulating innovation among local businesses. By offering advice and grants, the programme aspires to furnish enterprises with the necessary tools and resources.
This initiative promises to transform business methodologies and herald a pioneering era in technological innovation within manufacturing.
The implementation of industrial digital technologies not only strengthens the economy but also creates high-value jobs.
With manufacturing jobs representing a significant portion of the regional workforce, this initiative is timely and crucial.
The Made Smarter programme is expected to boost productivity and generate employment opportunities, highlighting its strategic importance for the North West.
Made Smarter is more than a regional initiative; it sets a benchmark for nationwide industrial advancement.
The programme’s blueprint offers a model for other regions seeking similar growth.
Through collective efforts and innovative technologies, this initiative is poised to bolster the North West’s reputation as a manufacturing leader. It presents a foresightful opportunity to embrace change, fuelling productivity and curating a digitally empowered future.
