Lancashire manufacturers help Made Smarter hit milestone 400th techno

Pioneering manufacturers in Lancashire have helped Made Smarter reach a major milestone — funding its 400th technology adoption project.

The landmark was achieved after five companies in the region secured support from the government-backed, industry-led programme to invest in digital tools and systems. They include:

Parkdale Joinery (trading as English and Wood) (Preston) – High-end kitchens and architectural joinery
Reverse Engineering North West Limited (RENWL) (Preston) – Precision machining
Sona Shades Limited (Preston) – Smart blinds
Birtwell & Co. Limited (Accrington) – Trade printers
Jetchem Systems Ltd (Ramsbottom) – High-pressure water jetting equipment

Over the last seven years, manufacturers in Lancashire have accessed £2.3 million in matched funding from Made Smarter. This has unlocked £9.4 million of investment in 125 technology projects, ranging from sensors and robotics to 3D printing and artificial intelligence.

These investments are forecast to generate over 610 new jobs and upskill almost 1,285 existing roles, while delivering a £92.6 million boost to the regional economy over the next three years.

Donna Edwards, programme director of Made Smarter, said: “Reaching our 400th funded technology project is a proud milestone for Made Smarter and a powerful demonstration of what manufacturers in the North West can achieve with the right support.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve seen hundreds of SMEs take confident steps towards digitalisation, boosting productivity, creating jobs, and laying the groundwork for long-term growth.

“What excites me most is that this is just the beginning. With every new project, we’re building a stronger, smarter manufacturing base — better equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow and lead the way in innovation, resilience, and sustainability.”

RENWL is a precision machining and fabrication specialist, based in Preston.

Paul Bimpson, owner and managing director of RENWL, said: “The support from Made Smarter has been instrumental in helping us take a significant step forward.

"Investing in the CNC fibre laser cutting machine means we can bring a key subcontracted process in-house, improving efficiency and creating a new subsidiary.

"This move will not only strengthen our capabilities, but also generate up to five new skilled jobs here in Preston, securing our growth for the future.”

Parkdale Joinery (trading as English and Wood), based in Preston, manufacturers bespoke kitchens, offices, and bedrooms, as well as high-end architectural joinery.

Made Smarter provided a grant of £20,000 towards a project to invest £45,000 for an AES Sirius 950M CNC Drilling and routing machine, and design software package.

Joel Parkinson, managing director, said: “We’ve built our reputation on crafting beautiful, bespoke products by hand. But as demand has grown, we recognised the need to evolve. With support from Made Smarter, we’ve been able to invest in a CNC drilling and routing machine and advanced design software, bringing a digital element into our process for the first time.

“This technology hasn’t replaced our craftsmanship – it has enhanced it. The new system speeds up the dull, repetitive elements of production, such as manufacturing carcasses and sheet material processing, while allowing us to preserve the hands-on approach and design flexibility our clients value in our frontages and finishes.

"It means we can now produce the same work in a third of the time, increasing capacity and throughput with a greater degree of accuracy without compromising on quality. It’s a big step forward that will help us grow the business, create new jobs, and upskill our current team.”

Birtwell & Co, based in Accrington, is a leading trade printers.

Made Smarter provided a grant of £20,000 towards a project to invest £62,000 for an Optimus Management Information System (MIS), which will completely overhaul the way the business manages its production, stock control, quoting and customer service.

The company forecasts that the data and systems integration investment will support a growth strategy which aims to create 8 new jobs and upskill 58 existing roles.

Matthew Birtwell, managing director, said: "Being part of the Made Smarter programme has come at exactly the right time for Birtwell & Co as we embark on a major phase of digital transformation.

“The new technology will give us real-time visibility across operations, streamline our workflows, and dramatically reduce manual administration.

"This will not only boost productivity but also free up our team to focus more on customer engagement and continuous improvement. Importantly, the system will also help us reduce waste by improving accuracy, minimising errors, and enabling better resource planning across every stage of production.

“Made Smarter’s involvement has helped us move forward with confidence and accelerate vital changes that will future-proof the business in a highly competitive and evolving market."

Sona Shades, a smart blinds manufacturer, based in Preston, secured a grant towards an investment into a sector-specific ERP system.

A company spokesperson has said: “With the support of Made Smarter we have been able to invest in an all-in-one enterprise system that will bring a new level of automation to our operations, connecting orders, manufacturing, logistics and shipping.

“This will enhance productivity and streamline operations, allowing capacity for growth which will create new jobs.”

Since 2018, manufacturers across the North West have secured £7.4 million in matched funding through the Made Smarter programme, catalysing £26m of investment in technologies. These investments are expected to create over 1,850 new jobs, upskill 3,300 existing roles, and deliver a £276m boost to the regional economy within the next three years.

As well as grant funding, Made Smarter offers SME manufacturers a range of support, including digital transformation workshops, impartial technology advice, leadership and skills training, and a digital internship programme.

To learn more about how Made Smarter can help your business to innovate and grow, visit www.madesmarter.uk