Tees Valley Manufacturers Urged to Access Expanded Digital Support

Manufacturers across Tees Valley are being urged to tap into funding and support to use digital technology to grow their businesses.  

Made Smarter provides grant funding and access to free expert advice on digital adoption to manufacturing SMEs – and the scheme is now offering further opportunities after being expanded.

More than 150 North East manufacturers have already taken part in the programme, which encourages firms invest in new digital technology and processes to grow their business.

The Expanded Metal Company, an award-winning manufacturer of expanded metal mesh products based in Stockton, used Made Smarter develop a bespoke digital roadmap for the business.

With grant funding from Made Smarter, The Expanded Metal Company was able to part-fund the purchase of a cobot welding machine; helping to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve quality across the business.

Ryan Pinder, Exmesh Operations Manager & Head of Continuous Improvement at The Expanded Metal Company, said: “Everyone in the business is fully on board with our future plans because they can see the positive impact. The Made Smarter programme has really benefitted the business.

“One of the great things about the cobot is that it’s able to do the things people didn’t enjoy doing, meaning we can move staff onto doing more bespoke jobs, which helps with retention. It also means we can expand the business to take on more of those jobs too.”

Manufacturing businesses that sign up to take part in Made Smarter benefit from training to understand what technology is available, and how and where it can be implemented; workshops and networking opportunities with other North East manufacturers; and grants of up to £23.5k to access expert technical advice and support the purchase of new machinery and technology.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our small and medium manufacturing businesses are the bedrock of our local economy and it’s essential they get the right support to grow, invest and create jobs.

“Made Smarter provides vital, targeted funding and advice by focusing on digital technology and the huge benefits it can bring to our local companies – I would strongly encourage any interested firms to get more information and apply.”

Made Smarter is open to manufacturing SMEs (under 250 employees) working in the manufacturing and advanced manufacturing sectors in Tees Valley. To find out more, visit Tees Valley Made Smarter or email [email protected]

An event Made Smarter: Developing your Digital Future will be held at The Curve at Teesside University on March 12 to provide further information and discussion of the programme. To register follow this link