IN4 Group and Lancaster University collaboration supports SMEs with digital transformation

By IN4.0 Group

28 Jun 2022

in4-access-participants-from-sme-businesses.jpg

An industry and academic partnership between innovation hub operator IN4 Group and Lancaster University, part of the Greater Manchester AI Foundry, has supported 30 SMEs to innovate and grow through a ground-breaking industrial digital accelerator.  

The fully-funded IN4 Access programme gave SME businesses including Abbey Attachments, Simkiss Control Systems and Rutterkey, the ability to unlock innovative new products and services and uncover business growth opportunities using industry 4.0 technologies. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The partnership brought together Lancaster University’s academic expertise in innovative technologies and IN4 Group’s established experience in delivering applied innovation programmes to manufacturing and engineering businesses.

Chris Lambert, programme manager, Department of Engineering at Lancaster University, said: “This partnership between the IN4 Group and Lancaster University clearly demonstrates the value of industry-academic collaboration that directly advances the SME community. We’re proud to have worked closely with IN4 colleagues who have shaped and delivered the accelerator, ensuring it is absolutely right for the target audience. The AI Foundry accelerator has been a great success and a model of private-public partnership, which all stakeholders should be justifiably very proud of.”

The three-month accelerator provided a series of masterclasses, workshops, seminars, panel discussions and networking to business leaders and senior engineers, offering exclusive access to learning and coaching from the industry’s best change experts. 

Leading industry speakers included Brian Holliday, managing director for Siemens Digital Industries; Alison Ramsay, workplace climate director at BAE Systems; and Professor Ian Sherrington, director of Jost Institute for Tribotechnology and research lead at the School of Engineering at UCLan.

SME businesses such as Perceptuo, Intelligent Development and Cybione are continuing to work with the Group through accessing its innovation membership, which includes one-to-one support to progress their journey, and support services such as CTO in residence and cyber security.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said: “The collaboration with Lancaster University and the AI Foundry has delivered ground-breaking outcomes for all of the SMEs involved. This is the perfect example of an outstanding academic and industry partnership, and how you can build an incredible innovation journey, particularly for SMEs. IN4 Access is specifically designed for scaling organisations that are experiencing significant growth within the engineering, manufacturing and digital sectors, so they can see the real benefits of future-proofing their businesses.”

IN4 Access is focused on using disruptive technologies, including cloud and immersive, to streamline business processes through upskilling leadership teams, and explores how digital solutions can help solve the most common industry problems.

The programme supported the businesses to develop proof of concepts in three key areas: machine conditioning and monitoring, supply chain digitalisation and process automation using IoT (Internet of Things).

Chris added: “Those participating delegates, made up of SMEs from Greater Manchester have spoken passionately about the value to their business, their customers and themselves that this programme has provided. As a result of participation, those SMEs will go on to generate new products, make productivity improvements and open up new markets because of their increased understanding of AI and digital technologies.” 

Simon Bodill, general manager of Simkiss Control Systems, said: “We joined the course because we weren’t sure about AI. As a solutions provider, the fear is being left behind. This has opened our eyes to the potential and endless possibilities of AI, but also how we access it and how we learn. We wouldn’t have had a clue where to start and this course has really given us some good channels to start working on.”

The £6m Greater Manchester AI Foundry project was developed by Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester, the University of Salford and Lancaster University, and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. For more information on ERDF visit here. 

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin