The Hove manufacturer behind internationally renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe's prints and sculptures is embracing digital transformation to support its global growth.
The business turns Mackenzie's original artwork into limited-edition pieces and sculptures for galleries and customers around the world, while his collectors include famous names such as the late Queen Elizabeth II, JK Rowling and Tom Hardy.
Managing an international production and distribution operation involving specialist foundries in the UK, US and Thailand, the business is working with Made Smarter South East to build the leadership, skills and digital strategy needed for its next phase of growth.
As we look at the next stage of our growth, we want to use technology to make the business more efficient without losing the creativity and personal approach that make us who we are.
Made Smarter has helped us step back, look at the bigger picture and build our confidence in leading that change.
Owen Thorpe, Director of Development and Strategy
As the business has grown, it recognised an opportunity to modernise the systems supporting these operations. Digital activity had developed organically over time, while increasing international production created greater complexity around stock management, customer information, production planning and logistics.
The business also recognised that successful digital transformation would need to protect the creativity, craftsmanship and collaborative culture at the heart of the organisation. Rather than introducing technology for its own sake, it wanted to develop a clear digital strategy that would support future growth while ensuring people remained central to the journey.
Working with Made Smarter South East, Mackenzie Thorpe completed a Digital Transformation Workshop with Technology Advisor, William Wilsnagh, and Organisation and Workforce Development Advisor, Chitra Cherodian, to review every aspect of the business and develop a roadmap for future digital transformation.
The roadmap identified opportunities to introduce a CRM and inventory management system compatible with Xero, explore in-house 3D scanning and digital modelling of
Mackenzie's sculptures, improve stock traceability across international markets and investigate digital visualisation tools to show his sculptures in gallery and public settings.
Recognising that successful digital transformation depends as much on people as technology, the business also invested in leadership development.
Through Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) Owen built the strategic capability and confidence needed to drive change across the organisation. At the same time, Nicola Wheeler, Studio Coordinator, completed the Digital Champions programme, developing practical skills to identify opportunities for digital improvement.
The combination of strategic planning and workforce development is already beginning to change how Mackenzie Thorpe operates.
One of the first changes has been the creation of a central digital stock archive by Nicola, replacing records previously held across various physical folders. The new system makes it quicker and easier for the team to find, access and update information while reducing its reliance on paper records.
Nicola said: "The programme gave me a much better understanding of how digital tools and processes can improve efficiency within the business, and I've already been able to put some of what I learned into practice.
"I've created a digital archive of all our stock, replacing information that was previously held across various physical folders. We can now quickly search for an item and access the information we need wherever we are.
"It's made the process much more efficient, reduced our reliance on paper and encouraged me to look at other areas where simple digital solutions could make a difference."
The business also has greater clarity over its longer-term digital strategy.
Owen said: "LDT has given me a much better understanding of how we can use technology to support the next stage of our growth.
"It was helpful to have designated time to step away from the business, focus on development and share ideas with others. It's also given me more confidence in leading these changes and, importantly, making sure we use technology to make the business
more efficient without losing the creativity and personal approach that make us who we"
Mackenzie Thorpe is now exploring a range of digital technologies to support future growth, including CRM and inventory management systems, in-house 3D scanning and modelling, and visualisation tools to improve the way Mackenzie's sculptures are presented to customers, galleries and public organisations.
Bringing this capability in-house could also reduce reliance on external providers and simplify the process of digitising Mackenzie's fragile original models for casting at foundries around the world.
The business is also exploring opportunities to strengthen its digital capability through internships and wider workforce development, ensuring its people have the skills and confidence to support future technology investment.
Owen said: "We're exploring digital solutions to help us scale more efficiently while preserving the integrity of our artistic process. Made Smarter is helping us identify where digital tools can bring the most value, from inventory tracking to 3D scanning and operational planning."
