Chester manufacturers urged to sign up to Made Smarter’s innovative Leadership Programme

SME manufacturers in Chester are being urged to sign up to an innovative leadership programme which will equip them with the vision and the skills to pursue smarter manufacturing.

The Made Smarter Leadership Programme is a blend of workshops, site visits to SME manufacturers who are already on the journey of adopting digital technology, facilitated-learning sessions, and special project sprints to test new ideas.

After successfully empowering 22 businesses to begin their digital transformation in partnership with Lancaster University, the programme has been rolled out to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the University of Liverpool, who will begin delivering the programme on November 12 and 4 respectively.

It gives more SME leaders the opportunity to learn the strategies to support the adoption of hi-tech and digitally-based manufacturing techniques into their own production processes. It also explores organisational culture and how to engage and enthuse employees and other stakeholders about their digital transformation journey.

With social distancing measures likely to stay in place for the foreseeable future, the programme will initially be delivered predominantly online with a view to move to face-to-face workshops when this is safe to implement.

These include seven workshops led by both academics delivering leading edge thinking and business practitioners demonstrating adoption in real business settings.

Through the programme delegates will also embark on 'sprints' where they would test their ideas with employees from the business to build engagement and learning from each other.

Site visits will also be conducted virtually, until it is safe to do in-person.

Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter North West adoption pilot, said: “The Made Smarter Leadership Programme has been a success story, giving 22 of the region’s leaders the vital tools and insight to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies within their business.

“The roll out of the programme means more SME manufacturers will have the opportunity to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas and experiences alongside their peers in manufacturing, and then return to their own business and develop a digital strategy to create growth and efficiencies.”

Registration for the next Leadership Programme is now open. For more information or to apply for your place visit madesmarter.uk

Companies who have completed the programme include: Technoprint in Winsford; DT Engineering in Widnes; Flexitallic in Ellesmere Port; Abbey England in Knutsford; Forth Engineering in Barrow; Primasonics in Penrith; Fintek in Ramsbottom; Heatsense Cables in Rochdale; Inscape Interiors in Chorley; Forsberg Services in Lancaster; Gencoa in Liverpool; Milexa in Liverpool; Createc in Cockermouth; Actikem in Warrington; and Twinfix in Warrington.

About Made Smarter:

Made Smarter is the UK national industrial digitalisation movement to drive productivity and growth of manufacturing industries and put the UK at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Backed by world-renowned businesses and working in partnership with the UK government, Made Smarter will make a real, everyday difference to people from the boardroom to the factory floor.

The Made North West pilot connects makers to the digital tools that will make an everyday difference to their business. The £20 million partnership between government and industry will provide match-funding, specialist advice, student placements and leadership training. Helping up to 3,000 small and medium-sized businesses – and the people in them – keep their competitive edge. And adding up to £115 million to the region’s economy. For more information, visit:

www.madesmarter.uk

Pictured - Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter North West adoption pilot.