The businesses are part of the £20M Made Smarter Programme, which will help them to grow by adopting new digital technologies.
Based in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region, the nine companies are set to introduce 12 advanced manufacturing methods including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics.
The investment is expected to bring extensive benefits including improved productivity and revenues, increased export sales, job creation, upskilling existing workforces, digital integration with supply chains, improved safety practices and reduced environmental impact.
For these nine businesses alone, the Made Smarter business support programme could deliver an additional £5.5M in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy.
Firms set to benefit from the pilot scheme include: EnviroSystems, based in Preston; Abbey Group, based in Knowsley, DT Engineering North West Limited, based in Widnes; Graham Engineering Ltd (GEL), based in Nelson; T&R Precision Engineering, based in Colne; The Nursery Kitchen, based in Birkenhead; Fusion Implants, based in Liverpool; Mackinnon and Saunders, based in Altrincham; and Applied Nutrition, based in Liverpool.
They are the first tranche of firms to grasp the opportunity offered by the pilot scheme, which aims to engage with over 3,000 manufacturing SMEs in the North West and increase the region’s GVA by up to £115M.
Up to 600 North West firms will also qualify for more in-depth support including mentoring from senior industry figures, a leadership & management programme specifically designed to support leaders to implement digital change and grants towards the cost of new equipment.
Made Smarter is an investment between government and industry which includes match funding opportunities and the provision of dedicated technical and business support for SMEs adopting digital technology, to support advanced manufacturing.
Co-Chaired by Business Secretary Greg Clark, and CEO of Siemens Juergen Maier, the Commission includes representatives from 17 leading UK manufacturers, technology companies and business representative bodies.
Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “I am delighted that the Made Smarter pilot has now supported the first successful SME applications. “Working with business we have found that they are enthusiastic about the benefits of adopting new digital technology. Often, they need funding support, but also the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business. “This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region. “It’s been interesting to see the range of businesses and sub-sectors the successful applicants have come from and the technologies they have selected.
“Made Smarter is relevant for any North West SMEs employing less than 250 staff who make, create, manufacture or engineer and I urge local businesses not to miss this opportunity. Register today for a fully-funded audit of your operations.” One business set to reap significant benefits from new tech is EnviroSystems, a small, family-owned company which supplies innovative products to farmers from its base in Preston. It wants to develop cutting-edge dosing systems to treat slurry.
We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience.
By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device.
You can find out more and set your own preferences here.
