Data tech adoption driving Manchester SME manufacturers growth

Half of technology investment focussed on data and system integration, analysis by Made Smarter’s North West adoption programme reveals

SME manufacturers across Greater Manchester are using data and system integration technology as the driving force behind their digital transformation and growth ambitions, new analysis from Made Smarter reveals.

More than half (42) of the 74 technology projects supported by Made Smarter’s North West adoption programme focussed on digital technologies which connect disparate systems and unify data residing in different sources.

As a result of integrating systems and consolidating data sources, business leaders have achieved real-time visualisation of their processes, been able to spot trends in production and labour, correct maintenance and quality issues, and minimise safety, business risk and operational downtime throughout their production. 

Greater Manchester manufacturers adopting this kind of technology include:

• Bind-A-Tex and Starlight Bedrooms, both based in Bolton, 
• Multiwood Products and The Bury Black Pudding Co, both based in Bury
• GJD Manufacturing and Heatsense Cables, both based in Rochdale, 
• Antonelli Bros, Forest Sofa, Orb Interiors and Seven Brothers Brewery, all based in Salford,
• Fabricon Design and Manchester Manufacturing Group, both based in Tameside,
• Astropol, Frank King and Lynn Lloyd Soft Furnishings, all based in Wigan,
• Mini Gears, based in Stockport.

Meanwhile, one in six Greater Manchester makers are adopting robotics and process control automation, while others are investing in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), using sensors to collect critical production data to gain valuable insights about the efficiency of operations, additive manufacturing to reduce waste and fast track prototyping, and immersive technologies to add value to their services. 

Early adopters who have already captured data are now focussed on analytics and artificial intelligence to get more insight and value from their manufacturing operations.

Alain Dilworth, Programme Manager for the Made Smarter’s North West adoption programme, said: “Data and analytics are central to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, so it is encouraging that so many of this region’s makers are embracing the opportunities that these tools offer.

“Capturing the data from across their processes and bringing it all together in one place is a vital first step for many manufacturers looking to solve problems and recognise opportunities. It also becomes a platform for the next step, one which some are already taking, is to analyse the data using artificial intelligence.

“Over the last four years Made Smarter has supported 2,500 businesses with grant funding, skills training and leadership advice. We are keen to start more conversations with SME manufacturers about how we can help them.”

For further information visit madsmarter.uk