Digital transformation confusion risks paralysing SME manufacturers

Confusion around digital transformation is risking paralysis among SME manufacturers in Lancashire, says Made Smarter.

Donna Edwards, director of the North West adoption programme, says businesses are hesitant to commit to change because they lack the confidence with technology and digital skills among leaders and employees.

But, delaying digital transformation risks being left further behind, or wasting time, effort and money, Edwards cautioned.

The stark warning features in the foreword of Made Smarter’s new white paper - Digital Transformation: A Made Smarter Roadmap for SME Manufacturers.

The free-to-download guide aims to help makers looking for a place to start, explaining the concepts and steps to a successful digital transformation.

Crucially, it explains the Made Smarter process, the services available, and showcases some of the hundreds of businesses who have benefited in the North West.

Donna Edwards said: “Ask a hundred SME manufacturing leaders what digital transformation means to them, and you’ll likely get a hundred different answers. But the common view is that it is daunting and confusing. SMEs, while aware of the benefits technology brings, lack the resources and skills to approach digital transformation in the right way. Many hesitate or become paralysed, risking being left behind, or wasting time, effort and money.

“The Made Smarter Adoption Programme is a tried and tested approach that offers businesses access to fully funded support so they can improve their understanding of what steps they need to take, to arm them with the tools and strategy to take those steps, and accelerate them towards the multitude of benefits and growth opportunities.”

​​Since launching in the North West five years ago, thousands of manufacturers have engaged with Made Smarter’s specialised support, from expert, impartial technology advice and digital transformation workshops, to digital leadership programmes, internships and other training opportunities, and match funded technology projects.

The impacts of the programme are starting to emerge. North West GVA is forecast to grow £242m in the coming years and 1,300 new jobs have been created, while 2,500 existing roles have been upskilled.

One success story featured in the white paper is Beagle Orthopaedic, a manufacturer of orthopaedic braces, bespoke products and custom-fabricated devices, based in Blackburn.

With ambitions to design and manufacture more of its products, Beagle needed to automate its 2D/manual sewing process. With the support of a grant from Made Smarter, the business invested in a CNC sewing machine solution which integrates with existing CAD software and enables the business to re-engineer its current list of orthopaedic soft-good products.

The machine also boasts an IoT platform to enable data collection and the ability to incorporate data from additional machines if and when they are added in future. The new technology is forecast to lead to a 75 per cent decrease in the production cycle time for a standard wrist brace, whilst improving product quality producing identical specifications every time.

Beagle is forecasting to at least double current outputs within a 12-month period through a variety of new sales channels, with the ability to add an additional shift as and when required. Beagle's expected return on investment is within 10 months.

Kelly Halsall, sales and marketing director, said: “Technology offers Beagle something different within the local catchment area, where people are using their minds and other skills to supervise machinery, design and engineering roles, and as we develop a more digital factory, there will be data analytical roles to further advance our strategic plan.

“It is important to take one step at a time. Made Smarter has helped hone our digital transformation strategy and given us a helping hand.”

The white paper also spotlights some of the partner organisations who are also working with Made Smarter to help manufacturers digitalise and decarbonise including Make UK, Innovate UK, the Centre for People-Led Digitalisation (PLD), InterAct and the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH).