The bespoke kitchen and bedroom furniture manufacturer, based in Northwich, worked with Made Smarter to adopt software which streamlines the design-to-manufacture process.  

The software selected covers the end-to-end production process, from sales through planning, presentation, and construction to production. It will enable Weaver Dane to adopt more future-facing technologies such as virtual reality.

Altimex is a manufacturer of electronics, LED lighting and fibre optics solutions, based at Thornton Science Park at The University of Chester.

Made Smarter helped the business with digital transformation via the Leading Digital Transformation programme. Altimex’s next step is to focus on data analysis.  

Based in Nantwich, the Mountain Trike Company manufacture custom-built manual, electric assist and fully electric all terrain outdoor wheelchairs.

After attending the Leading Digital Transformation programme led by Made Smarter, the business has obtained the skills needed to work towards digital transformation and develop its visions, values, and strategy.

Congleton-based, family-owned British lifestyle brand Derek Rose invested in a leading computer-aided design and manufacturing solution thanks to Made Smarter, digitising the pattern cutting and grading processes.

This has reduced the time spent producing and amending patterns significantly for the luxury sleepwear and loungewear manufacturer, leading to reduced lead times on prototypes.

Qualkem, a Crewe-based manufacturer of eco-friendly domestic cleaning products, invested in a new automated production line with support from Made Smarter.

By investing in new machinery Qualkem was able to branch out to offer a PCR tube in-line labelling and filling service which increased the capacity of manufacturing to 10,000 units daily.

McMenon Engineering has fully automated and digitalised a previously manual calibration and data acquisition process using a solution which integrates a PLC, programmable HMI touchscreen and software.

When fully implemented the new solution is forecast to reduce the set up and testing process from three hours to one.

Kong Climbing, a climbing wall manufacturer, based in Keswick has a 3D-scanner to capture the measurements of a climbing space. This has allowed them to reduce lead time and eliminate sub-contracting costs.

The changes have allowed them to explore new opportunities and make a lasting impact in their field.

Northern Pasta is a Kendal-based artisan pasta manufacturer that uses flour grown in the UK.

With Made Smarter’s help the business is investing in automation and data systems to streamline their pasta production from making, to packing and sealing the bags. This project will allow growth over the next 5 years.

Contour Campervan Furniture, based in Kendal, has brought the production of their birch plywood campervan furniture in-house thanks to CNC machinery they were able to buy with Made Smarter’s support.

This has allowed them to create jobs, become a more profitable company, and significantly reduce the lead times for their shipped flat-pack campervan furniture.

The Carlisle-based manufacturer is the UK’s largest maker of showjumps and equestrian related products.

Solway Showjumps approached Made Smarter to introduce a CNC Laser cutter to automate the cutting process and allow for faster more efficient operations.

Keswick-based Cakes from the Lakes, a producer of high-quality confectionary products, has invested in new cutting technology to fulfil the growing demand for their products.

The new system will allow for growth of 30% - 50% over 3 years while reducing the cost of cutting by up to 60%.

Firstplay Dietary Foods, based in Stockport, makes a range of low protein products for people with Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Alongside grant funding, to invest in a powder packaging machine, senior management also attended Made Smarter’s Leading Digital Transformation and Leading Change for Digital Champions programmes.

Thomas Storey is a manufacturer of steel fabricated product with customers ranging from small local companies to multinational businesses such as JCB and Nifty Lift.

With Made Smarter’s support they are looking to invest in new software to digitalise their reporting, allowing for live feedback of process performance and removing the need for paper-based work.

Brightside Brewery is an independent and family-run brewer based in Bury which manufactures a range of gluten free beers.

Made Smarter worked with the business to introduce new kegging and carbonation equipment that will allow their operators to accurately fill kegs with the beer at the correct temperature, pressure and carbonisation level.

Oldham-based Liversidge supplies products to trade and residential customers.

Managing director Ian Liversidge attended the Leading Digital Transformation programme with Made Smarter and is leading plans to roll out technology and embed new skills across the organisation.

Stockport-based Massey and Harris manufacture bespoke play equipment.

A member of the senior team attended Made Smarter’s Leading Digital Transformation programme in 2023 and have already seen improvement in communication, action planning and culture as a result. 

Logs Direct, a leading supplier of premium firewood and logs worked with Made Smarter to improve their productivity and respond to the growing demand for UK kiln-dried wood.

Crozier Campers design and manufacture bespoke campervans specialising in off-grid adventures.

Working with Made Smarter they were able to bring their CNC and laser operation in-house, allowing them to increase production, quality, and to develop new products.

Studio Bakery is a rapidly expanding artisan bakery in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Their Made Smarter project saw them invest in the technology and equipment to make production more efficient and create a better finished product. The transformation will streamline the production run and create a new and efficient flow in the factory.

CTR Plastics are a family-run injection moulding business.

Their Made Smarter project was the installation of an industry 4.0 central material handling system to replace their current system. This will transport material in the factory rather than manually, feeding the machines with raw materials which is processed into products.

Rainford Timber, a timber frame manufacturer, was able to significantly increase productivity and create new jobs, by replacing manual processes and investing in a CNC panel-making machine.

Made Smarter worked with the business to streamline their processes and support a strategy to grow by 60%.

Made Smarter, worked with Bloom in Box, an innovative eco-friendly plastics manufacturer, to encourage them to embrace technology and drive eco innovation.

Liverpool-based Spice Kitchen is a family-owned artisan producer of spice tin gift sets, spice blends, loose teas, and cookware.

They are now forecast to double productivity and sales to £2m after investing in data and systems technologies with the support of Made Smarter.

Beverston Engineering is an innovative engineering firm that worked with Made Smarter to implement an ambitious digital strategy.

The business is now forecast to increase productivity by 20% and reduce carbon emissions by 10%.

Cleaning product manufacturer Organica UK has increased production capacity and transformed stock control, planning, and costing after investing in data-driven technology projects.

This has allowed Organica to achieve better yields and machine uptime, reduce unnecessary maintenance stops and increase production output.

JJ Smith is a manufacturer of bespoke woodworking solutions based in Kirkby.

After visiting a company in Denmark, they were inspired to approach Made Smarter for support to leverage cobots into their process. This new approach enabled them to streamline their processes and to tap into untapped automation opportunities within the woodworking industry.

CNC Robotics, a specialist in advanced machining applications, procured a Meltio robot engine to develop a robotic-assisted additive manufacturing cell to print metallic objects in its facility based in Bootle, Liverpool.