The Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme, part of Made Smarter North West Adoption - a government-funded industry-led initiative - focuses on equipping SME manufacturers with the strategies and skills to adopt cutting-edge digital technologies.
Participants hail from manufacturing SMEs that produce aerospace components, cakes, dies, play equipment, and mudguards. They span the spectrum of the workforce, from owners and managers to design and production operatives.
The funded programme is delivered over three months with Manchester Metropolitan University, blending face-to-face workshops, online webinars, case studies to see technology in action, and a site visit to PrintCity, Manchester Met’s 3D additive and digital manufacturing centre.
Of the 20 latest graduates, three hail from across Manchester, including: Bubble Panda; Bartell Cottage Furnishings and Halite Salts.
Bartell Cottage Furnishings, based in Newton Heath, manufacture and install window coverings such as blinds, curtains and soft furnishings across a range of sectors including education, residential and commercial.
Emily Mitchell, Company Manager, said: “As a business at the very start of its digital transformation and still grappling with too many paper-based processes, this programme has been enlightening and empowering.
“I’ve learnt a great deal about developing the strategies and plans to drive the change we need to achieve. The skills and tools I have taken back into the business have changed communications across the team and developed a positive culture towards digitalisation.”
Bubble Panda, based in Manchester, is a manufacturer of bubble tea kits.
Scott Harasyn, Founder of Bubble Panda, said: “As a rapidly scaling business, taking the time away to work on our digital transformation has been difficult but essential. It has enabled me to focus on our key challenges and develop a strategy to improve key areas. One of the most important learnings from the programme has been the importance of getting buy-in to the vision from my team, and the use of sprints to develop and deliver ideas swiftly into the business.”
Brian Holliday, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission and MD of Siemens Digital Industries, attended the LDT showcase event at Engine Rooms at Birchwood Park, Warrington.
He said: “It was an absolute privilege to meet this latest group of creators and makers to complete our trailblazing Leading Digital Transformation programme and to listen to their inspirational stories. While these businesses operate in vastly different sectors, there is a consistency in the way they recognise the importance of people, process, strategy and adoption of technology.”
Since it was launched in 2023, the LDT programme has transformed 54 delegates into digitally-informed, empowered leaders armed with a bespoke digitalisation strategy. This is in addition to the 62 business leaders equipped with new digital skills through Made Smarter’s trailblazing leadership initiative run between 2019 and 2023.
Manufacturers across the North West are now encouraged to register their interest for the next series of programmes.
Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter's Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist Adviser, said: “Made Smarter has taken a people-first approach to helping SME manufacturers adopt technology tools to take their businesses forward.
“Our Leading Digital Transformation programme is designed to be flexible for manufacturing leaders to fit around their busy schedules, allowing them to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas, experiences and opportunities with their peers in manufacturing.
“This supports leaders to take their entire organisation and people through digital transformation successfully and maximise the opportunities for their business.”
Since its launch in 2019, Made Smarter has supported over 2,500 manufacturers across the North West, helping them access expert digital advice, adoption strategies, and leadership development. Manufacturers in the region are encouraged to register for the next series of programmes to unlock new opportunities for digital transformation and growth.