DBT offers £230k injection to drive digital transformation among north west SME manufacturers
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 of Business and Trade (DBT) has awarded additional funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West, which has seen at least ten businesses introduce revolutionary tools such as sensors, robots, and 3D printers.
The cash injection comes as welcome news for the digital adoption programme, which is due to run from April 2025 under the government’s £16 million pledge to introduce similar support schemes across English counties.
Made Smarter provides small manufacturing and engineering firms with access to technical advice, leadership development, and skills training, as well as grants for digital internships and startup projects. The goal is to help companies increase productivity, improve growth, create high-value jobs, and support decarbonisation efforts.
Alain Dilworth, Program Manager at Made Smarter Adoption North West, said: “We are delighted that DBT has committed a further £230,000 to support our ongoing work. Much of this funding will help businesses accelerate their digital transformation, and we urge any manufacturers who have not yet contacted us to get in touch.”
Established seven years ago, Made Smarter Adoption North West was created to help SMEs that lack internal resources to adopt digital tools. Managed by a team of 16 experts in manufacturing, technology, and organizational development, it has already engaged 2,500 companies and provided personalized advice to more than 500.
Of these, 330 businesses received grants of over £7 million to fund 379 technology projects, and a total investment of £25 million (including £18 million for participating firms). This combined support is expected to create 1,700 new jobs, upskill 3,200 existing roles, and add £267 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the economy over the next three years.
More than 200 manufacturers have improved their operations through digital skills programs, part of the 75 internships led by Made Smarter leading to permanent roles.
Donna Edwards, Program Director, said: “This additional funding recognizes the significant impact Made Smarter North West is having on the region’s manufacturing sector. Our approach is built on expert advice to help firms choose the most effective technology for growth and resilience.
“As we enter our seventh year, we are more determined than ever to reach out to more SMEs and show how digital innovation can transform their operations, workforce and environment.”
Inspired by its success in the north and west, the Made Smarter model has since been adopted in many other English regions, including the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, and the East Midlands. This plan will guide the expansion of this program in April 2025.
