Made Smarter is helping UK manufacturing SMEs access the support and funding to adopt the digital technology they need to improve efficiency, productivity and future-proof their business. 

Why SMEs Should Go Digital

Digital technology is helping SME manufacturers work smarter, grow faster, and stay competitive. 

Here's how it can benefit your business:

  • Boost productivity by automating tasks and reducing downtime

  • Cut costs by using fewer resources and minimising waste

  • Make better decisions with real-time data and clearer insights

  • Empower your team with tools that support their skills and boost
    performance

How Made Smarter Can help

Made Smarter can help map out your digital journey and take the right next steps with confidence.

Support includes:

  • Expert guidance to create a clear digital roadmap tailored to your business

  • Up to £20,000 match funding to invest in the right technology

  • Funded Digital interns to bring fresh skills and support to your workforce

  • Leadership training to build confidence and digital know-how at every level

Case Studies - Our impact as told by our clients
Bakes by Gina
Rising to the challenge with digital leadership

A Cumbrian cake manufacturer is showcasing how the future of manufacturing can be both female and digital, thanks to the support of Made Smarter.

Gina Goulding, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from Whitehaven, with a background in civil engineering, transformed her passion for baking into a thriving manufacturing business. Bakes by Gina, now produces thousands of cakes each month for retail and wholesale.

Gina credits Made Smarter for giving her the confidence and skills to lead a bold digital transformation.As well as working with Made Smarter to create a digital roadmap to guide the company’s evolution,  Gina has completed the Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) skills programme.

Meanwhile, two of her team members also took part in the Leading Change for Digital Champions (LCDC) programme.

Case Study - Bakes by Gina
iPac Packaging Innovations
Improving productivity, accuracy and company culture through digital technology

Established in 2016, iPac is a family-owned and managed business producing thermoformed plastic packaging for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Operating across two sites in Gateshead and County Durham, the company has grown rapidly in the past eight years and now employs more than 80 employees. 

iPac worked with Made Smarter to integrate a new Warehouse Management System (WMS) into its existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The new WMS - which includes barcoding and traceability - has significantly enhanced stock accuracy and productivity across the business. It has also improved communication across departments and provided the foundations for further growth.

Case Study - iPac Packaging Innovations
McMenon Engineering
Recalibrating for the future

An engineering firm has used digital technology to transform how it tests and calibrates its flow and temperature measurement products.

McMenon Engineering, based in Cumbria, has fully automated and digitalised a previously manual calibration and data acquisition process using a solution which integrates a PLC, programmable HMI touch-screen and software.

The company is forecasting that the investment will treble its productivity, remove the existing bottleneck and capacity challenge, and enable the business to sell calibration as a service.

Greg Millar, Technical Manager, said: “Thanks to Made Smarter’s support, this investment will vastly improve productivity and capacity, enabling us to process more of our own products as well as develop a new service offering.”

Case Study - McMenon Engineering
Before you go, why not register to find out what free manufacturing grants and support you are entitled to.