A programme helping Cumbrian manufacturers invest in industrial digital technology is forecast to create more than 1,550 new jobs.

It comes as businesses across the region marked National Manufacturing Day yesterday (September 28). 

The ‘Made Smarter’ adoption programme was launched to help businesses digitalise, decarbonise, and drive growth.

So far 2,500 manufacturers from across the region have engaged with the programme, with hundreds going on to receive support through grant funding, impartial technology advice and leadership and skills training to help transform their businesses.

The government-funded initiative has, according to Made Smarter, delivered 334 technology projects in the North West, which are forecast to create 1,550 jobs, upskill 2,772 existing roles, and increase GVA in the Northwest by £242m.

In Cumbria, 46 technology projects are forecast to create 125 jobs, upskill more than 200 roles and boost the economy by £24m.

Made Smarter said it's already helped businesses in the county, such as Cumbria Clock Company in Penrith, where they helped them replace its outdated paper-based processes with a digital management system, improving efficiency to plan routes and combining service visits with callback and inspections, reducing annual mileage by around 30k and cutting emissions by around 11 per cent.

RAF Engineering in Workington also benefitted, as Made Smarter helped them invest in new tech to integrate its design and manufacturing to diversify into new markets.
 

This was celebrated at Made Smarter’s ‘Impact 4.0 Showcase’ hosted at Siemens’ smart factory which brought together industry leaders, stakeholders, and SMEs.

Speaking at the event, Paul McLaren, production director for BAE Systems, and chair of Made Smarter steering group for the Northwest, praised the ‘tremendous impact’ of the programme.

He said: “UK manufacturing is moving into a phase where resilience is as important as it has ever been.

“Made Smarter is helping SMEs create robust plans to deliver impactful results.”

Donna Edwards, adoption programme director at Made Smarter Northwest, also spoke at the event and said: “Made Smarter has been on an incredible journey over the last four years helping businesses navigate the pandemic and recover, negotiate supply chain disruption, and labour shortages, as well as focus on solutions to mitigate the energy crisis.

“It is fantastic to bring together so many of the programme's partners and stakeholders to say thank you, to celebrate our achievements, and to share the message that we have plenty more to do to increase the adoption of digital technologies to improve productivity.”