For many manufacturers, 2025 was a test of resilience. Costs rose, supply chains were unpredictable, and skills gaps made it harder to keep up with demand. These pressures reminded us of a simple truth. To stay competitive, manufacturers need more than efficient production. They need a digital mindset, a digital culture and digital tools that help them work smarter, plan better and grow with confidence.
As we move into 2026, there is a noticeable shift in tone. The UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy sets a long-term direction for growth and innovation, and shows a clear commitment to backing industry and supporting digital transformation. For Yorkshire and the Humber, that commitment is particularly strong. The region is referenced more than two dozen times, more than any other part of England, reflecting its importance over the next decade, especially in the sectors identified as having the most potential for growth: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and technology, life sciences, creative industries and defence.
These strengths already exist across our region, which means local firms are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities ahead. With Made Smarter funding confirmed for another year, manufacturers now have a clear route forward and practical support to move from talking about digital change to making it happen.
Made Smarter offers expert advice, digital strategy consultancy, leadership development, digital skills training and match-funded technology grants. Our goal is to help manufacturers adopt technology in ways that improve productivity, reduce waste, strengthen resilience and create higher-value jobs.
Since launching in 2021, Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber has engaged with almost 1,200 manufacturers, created nearly 700 digital roadmaps, and provided technical project support to more than 250 businesses. Close to 150 companies have taken part in leadership and skills programmes, including 37 that have hosted a digital intern. The programme has also seen 100 manufacturers apply for capital grants to support technology projects. These grants, worth £1.3m, combined with a further £2.4m of private investment, have unlocked a total of £3.7m in digital transformation activity across the region.
Together, these investments are forecast to create new jobs, upskill the existing workforce, contribute to the growth of the region and support progress towards net zero.
The results are already visible across the region. At Horsforth Brewery, a digital roadmap helped the team replace its manual canning line with automated technology that removed labour bottlenecks, improved consistency and lifted output by 150 per cent. The upgrade has given the brewery the capacity and confidence to grow its customer base across Yorkshire.
At Visual Systems Healthcare, digital transformation meant replacing paper-based workflows with integrated systems. Automation cut manual data entry by 75 per cent and reduced production lead times by 20 per cent, improving planning and customer service and supporting major new NHS and private sector contracts.
These examples show that digital transformation is achievable for smaller firms and highly impactful. Whether improving planning, saving energy or simplifying workflows, digital tools are helping manufacturers operate with more confidence and less risk.
With a national strategy supporting industry and Made Smarter support in place for another year here and in other regions, the conditions are right for action. Manufacturers do not have to take this step alone. Expert advice, practical guidance and funding are ready when they are.
As 2026 begins, the question is not whether digital transformation is needed. It is how soon businesses choose to start. Now is the moment to adopt new tools, grow capability and build a stronger future for manufacturing across Yorkshire and the Humber. Find out more: https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/yorkshire-the-humber