Electronics manufacturers secure Made Smarter backing

C-TEC, a manufacturer of life-safety electronic systems, based in Wigan, S K Electronics, specialists in PCB assembly, based in Oldham, and IPEC, manufacturers of Partial Discharge (PD) testing and monitoring solutions, based in Stockport, will use grants to invest in new technology.

It means Made Smarter has now reached a major milestone - backing North West companies to invest £25m in new technologies.

330 businesses have now secured £7.1m matched funding from the government-funded, industry-backed initiative over the last six years, adopting technologies as diverse as sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI).

These companies have put £18m of private sector investment towards 379 technology projects which are forecast to create over 1,700 new jobs - an average of five each, and upskill 3,200 existing roles - almost 10 per business. What is more, the investments in technology and people are set to add £267m to the economy over the next three years.

C-TEC has digitised its warehouse operations as part of a £1M investment programme to upgrade its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Peter Butterworth, Manufacturing Operations Director at C-TEC, said: “Working with Made Smarter has fast-tracked our investment in fully integrating and digitising our warehousing operations.

“With approaching 9,000-line items of fast-moving raw materials, sub-assemblies and finished goods, a fully digitised system was essential, and the system implemented through support from Made Smarter has made us significantly more efficient, productive, environmentally friendly, created new jobs, upskilled our workforce and well positioned C-TEC for business growth.”

Commenting on the latest milestone and grant awards, Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said: “These technology projects will have a tremendous impact on individuals, businesses, the sector and society. They will boost efficiency, productivity and growth, creating new jobs and upskilling existing roles, all while shifting the dial on creating a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.

“I welcome these 23 companies into the Made Smarter family. Alongside the hundreds who have already reaped the rewards of the adoption programme, we have now invested over £25m into the digital transformation of the sector.

“Celebrating milestones is important. It permits my fantastic team to take stock of the achievement and then commit to improving the services we offer to continue the Made Smarter mission.”

As well as grants, Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers access to funded support including digital transformation workshops to create a digital roadmap, impartial and expert technology advice, and leadership and skills training.