The Made Smarter programme is supporting 1200 North West manufacturers to utilise and embed digital manufacturing technologies to address firm-level operational challenges
It builds on the Greater Manchester and the wider region’s significant manufacturing business base and emerging strengths in digital manufacturing
The programme supports SMEs to develop technology roadmaps through access to technology experts, adoption grants, leadership development, digital technology interns, and workforce development advice
As a programme targeted at the North West region, it was able to draw on the existing strong manufacturing networks and business clusters to engage such a wide range of businesses to diffuse technologies at pace and scale, and boost productivity across the region
Following its success, Government has scaled up the Made Smarter programme to other regions across the UK