Oldham manufacturers among 85 investing £6.7m in tech with Made Smarter

SME manufacturers across Greater Manchester have invested £6.7m in technology, supported by Made Smarter’s trailblazing adoption programme in the North West.

A total of 85 businesses in the county - including some in Oldham - have now secured £1.8m matched funding from the government-funded, industry-backed initiative, adopting technologies as diverse as sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Backed by £4.9m of private investment, these manufacturers are forecasting the creation of 451 jobs and 890 upskilled roles, boosting the county’s economy by £69m.

A total of 16 Greater Manchester manufacturers are among the latest wave to join Made Smarter, taking to 300 the number of businesses the programme has supported with tech investment.

They include: 

Liversidge (Windows & Double Glazing) Ltd, a manufacturer of doors and windows, based in Oldham

Stream Measurement, a manufacturer of flow meters, based in Oldham

Promac Precision, an engineering firm, based in Royton, Oldham

Alphin Pans, manufacturer of bakeware and cookware, based in Delph

Brightside Brewing Company, a family run brewery, based in Radcliffe

Chandley Ovens, manufacturer of commercial bakery equipment, based in Hyde

Just Bee Honey, producers of vitamin honey products, based in Trafford Park

Saxon Furniture, sofa and chair manufacturers, based in Bolton,

Thomas Storey Fabrications Group, steel manufacturers in Manchester.

Foams 4 Sports, safety equipment manufacturer, based in Ashton-under-Lyne

Glossop Cartons, manufacturer of printed carton board packaging, based in Stockport

Mactapes, a textile manufacturer, based in Stalybridge,

Surface Pro, a bespoke joinery and shopfitting manufacturer, based in Eccles, Salford

Vecom Sillavan Metal Treatment, specialists in metal surface treatment, based in Bury

A & D Sports, a manufacturer of gym equipment, based in Rochdale,

Alphin Pans, manufacturer of bakeware and cookware, based in Delph

Avamco, a solid surface manufacturer, based in Wigan

Ian Liversidge, Managing Director of Liversidge (Windows & Double Glazing) Ltd, said: "Made Smarter has been instrumental in our shift towards a paperless system.

"Upgrading our production line with computerised scan points during this phase has significantly improved efficiency, reducing mistakes, increasing profitability, and speeding up the overall process."

Robert Allan, Managing Director of Stream Measurement, said: “Working with the knowledgeable Made Smarter team has been really useful.

"It has allowed us to make a significant investment in our test facility which allows us to secure and grow our gas meter calibration services.  

“Our new rig will be one of the most accurate high-capacity rigs in the country with full automation to provide greater efficiency and help bridge skills gaps.”

Since 2019, SME manufacturers across the North West have invested £22m in new technologies, forecasting the creation of almost 1,600 new jobs, over 2,850 upskilled roles, and adding £242m to the economy over the next three years.

With the Government committing to continue the North West adoption programme as part of a UK roll out, manufacturers are being urged to connect with Made Smarter to access the funded support on offer.

"This includes digital transformation workshops to create a digital roadmap, impartial and expert technology advice, leadership and skills training, as well as grant funding for digital internships and technology projects.

Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said: "I am incredibly proud of what the Made Smarter team has achieved over the last five years.

"These milestones are simultaneously a moment to celebrate, as well as a reminder that our work is by no means done. 

“Our mission is to engage with the thousands of manufacturers out there who we are certain could benefit from our support.

"As such we are redoubling our efforts to reach more businesses, and to inspire and inform them about the benefits of technology adoption.

"For many this may be helping them take the first step to digitise manual and paper-based systems or using sensors to capture vital production data.

"But for others with a digital infrastructure in place, they may be ready for more sophisticated, boundary-pushing technologies such as analytics, machine learning and AI, which are evolving at unprecedented speed.

"Digital isn’t coming - it’s arrived.

"Adopting technologies at the right time and in the right way is the key to unlocking real benefits for industry, society and the planet."

For more information, visit: www.madesmarter.uk

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