North West SME manufacturers invest £1.9m in digital tech backed by Made Smarter
North West SME manufacturers are investing £1.9m in digital technologies to boost productivity, create jobs and accelerate growth, with support from Made Smarter.
Thirty manufacturers have secured a combined £604,000 of funding through the government-backed technology adoption programme.
Among them are businesses producing everything from bacon, beer and skincare products to sofas, playground equipment, workwear and furniture. Others manufacture specialist products including lithium battery materials, electrical equipment, industrial machinery and advanced engineering components, highlighting the diversity across North West manufacturing.
The latest tranche of projects includes investments in automation and robotics, digital inventory systems, production monitoring, cloud-based platforms and advanced manufacturing technologies. Collectively, they are forecast to create over 90 new jobs and upskill over 170 existing workers.
Together, the manufacturers are investing £1.9m in new equipment, software and systems designed to improve efficiency, increase capacity, strengthen competitiveness and support long-term growth expected to exceed £16.4m.
The investment demonstrates resilience at a time when manufacturers continue to navigate rising costs, skills shortages and global supply chain uncertainty. Rather than standing still, these SMEs are investing in technologies that will improve productivity, unlock capacity and build resilience.
With further funding available, eligible manufacturers looking to adopt digital technologies are encouraged to register with Made Smarter North West and explore the support on offer.
Donna Edwards, programme director of Made Smarter North West, said: “These projects represent more than £1.9m of investment in the future of North West manufacturing. Behind every one is a business making a deliberate decision to innovate, grow and become more competitive.
“What is particularly encouraging is that manufacturers are continuing to invest despite ongoing economic pressures. They recognise that digital technologies are no longer a nice-to-have, they are essential to improving productivity, building resilience and creating the skilled jobs that will drive future growth.
“Made Smarter’s continued success is built on combining expert advice with practical support that gives businesses the confidence to take those next steps. By helping manufacturers identify the right technologies and access funding to accelerate adoption, we are enabling more businesses to unlock growth opportunities and build stronger, more sustainable futures.”
Pure Lakes Skincare, a manufacturer of natural skincare and wellbeing products, based in Far Sawrey, Cumbria, invested £39,000 in a HERMA 152C P wrap-around automated labelling machine and a digital sensor air conditioning system, supported by a £20,000 grant. The project is forecast to create two new jobs and upskill eight existing roles.
Claire McKeever, director, said: “The support from Made Smarter has had a huge impact on Pure Lakes. Productivity is the holy grail of manufacturing and combining cutting edge digital technology with our skilled artisan workforce has really helped us become a much more competitive and resilient business.”
Meat manufacturer Todds of Kendal, based in Kendal, Cumbria invested £42,000 in a Scaleroline A560 industrial slicer, supported by a £20,000 grant. The project is forecast to upskill five existing roles.
Paul Hevey, owner, said: “Investing in our new bacon slicing machine has enabled us to offer a bespoke slicing service while significantly improving efficiency. The machine is straightforward to operate, allowing both our existing team and new employees to quickly increase production capacity. As a result, we achieved a record Christmas period for bacon slicing throughput.
“Working with the Made Smarter team was an excellent experience and I would highly recommend the programme to any business looking to invest in growth and innovation.”
Upholstery manufacturer Forest Sofa, based in Salford, invested £48,000 in a GraphCut Elite 4025 CNC fabric cutter, supported by a £24,000 grant. The anticipated growth in production will support the creation of two new positions within the business.
Nick Shepherd, managing director, said: “The support from Made Smarter has enabled us to embrace advanced technology that will improve productivity, shorten lead times and strengthen the service we provide to our customers. Just as importantly, this investment creates opportunities for our people through skills development and the creation of new jobs as the business continues to grow.”
Craft beer maker Brightside Brewing Company, based in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, invested £22,000 in a Carbo 6300 inline CO₂ sensor, supported by a £11,000 grant.
Carley Friedrich, director, said: “While we’re best known for our cask ales, we’ve spent the past two years refining our keg brewing processes to expand our range of premium gluten-free lagers. This investment is the final piece of the puzzle, giving us greater precision, consistency and quality throughout production. Made Smarter was instrumental in making the investment possible. It’s a market-leading piece of technology and a significant commitment for a business of our size. Now it’s installed and already delivering results, we’re in a much stronger position to grow our keg offering, reach new customers and continue building our reputation for quality beer.”
As well as grant funding, Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers a range of support, including digital transformation workshops, impartial technology advice, leadership and skills training, and a digital internship programme.