SME manufacturers in the north west of England will benefit from an additional £230,000 in funding to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies and strengthen their competitiveness.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has awarded the extra funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West, enabling at least ten more businesses to introduce transformative tools such as sensors, robotics, and 3D printers.
The cash injection comes as welcome news for the digital adoption programme, which is due to continue from April 2025 under the government’s £16 million pledge to roll out similar support initiatives across all English regions.
Made Smarter provides smaller manufacturing and engineering firms with access to technology advice, leadership development, and skills training, as well as grants for digital internships and implementation projects. The goal is to help companies increase productivity, enhance growth, create high-value jobs, and support decarbonisation efforts.
Alain Dilworth, Programme Manager at Made Smarter Adoption North West, said: “We are delighted that the DBT has allocated a further £230,000 to support our ongoing mission. Most of this funding will help businesses accelerate their digital transformations, and we urge any manufacturers who haven’t yet engaged with us to get in touch.”
Launched seven years ago, Made Smarter Adoption North West was set up to help SMEs lacking the in-house resources to embrace digital tools. Run by a team of 16 experts in manufacturing, technology, and organisational development, it has already engaged 2,500 companies and offered personalised advice to more than 500.
Of these, 330 businesses have secured over £7 million in grants to co-fund 379 tech projects, with a total investment of £25 million (including £18 million from participating firms). This combined backing is expected to create 1,700 new jobs, upskill 3,200 existing roles, and add £267 million in gross value added (GVA) to the economy over the next three years.
More than 200 manufacturers have improved their operations through digital skills programmes, with half of the 75 internships facilitated by Made Smarter leading to permanent roles.
Donna Edwards, Director of the programme, said: “This additional funding recognises the significant impact Made Smarter North West is having on the region’s manufacturing sector. Our approach is built around specialist advice to help firms select the most effective technologies for growth and resilience.
“As we enter our seventh year, we’re more determined than ever to reach even more SMEs and illustrate how digital innovation can transform their operations, workforce, and environmental footprint.”
Inspired by its success in the north west, the Made Smarter model has since been adopted in several other English regions, including the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, and the East Midlands. This blueprint will guide the programme’s further expansion in April 2025.
