A PROGRAMME to encourage manufacturers in the region to adopt digital technology and boost productivity has seen an additional 300 companies sign up to receive support.
Made Smarter West Midlands has been led by Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub with fellow support organisations, Business Growth West Midlands and Worcestershire, The Marches, and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hubs on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department for Business and Trade.
The Growth Hubs work alongside strategic partners WMG, at the University of Warwick, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry to provide expert advice to businesses and improve their productivity.
The scheme entered its second phase 12 months ago and continued to go from strength-to-strength.
Paul Sullivan, Made Smarter West Midlands’ digital transformation Ssecialist, is one of the experts who has worked with many businesses on the programme since its launch in 2021.
He said: “More and more businesses across the West Midlands are seeing the benefits of Made Smarter’s support, which is brilliant news.
“From installing new software to providing advice on purchasing advanced robots, we help businesses make informed decisions on what will work best for them, and advise them on applying for funding to help pay for them.
“This support comes at no cost to the businesses we work with, so there is no risk involved.
“Having 300 companies register in the second phase of the programme is fantastic, and we’d love to see even more businesses take advantage of the support available.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Securing this extra funding from Government on the back of Made Smarter’s ongoing success is fantastic news for our region’s manufacturing and engineering firms looking to embrace digital technology.”
He added that – prior to the pandemic – the West Midlands was the fastest growing region in the UK.
“As we get back on track, Made Smarter will help enhance our digital capabilities, driving renewed growth and generating high quality job opportunities for local residents.”
Craig Humphrey, CW Growth Hub managing director, said: “It’s amazing to see just how much Made Smarter West Midlands has taken off since its launch, and to reach 300 registrations in this second phase alone is exceptionally good news for the region.
“The fact so many businesses in the West Midlands are looking to adopt new technology shows the ambition of this region and the sector is facing a bright future.”
He urged any other companies interested in being part of the programme to visit madesmarter.uk for more information.
