Made Smarter

Made Smarter has initiated a £3 million digital adoption initiative aimed at fostering growth within manufacturing SMEs in the East Midlands, ultimately enhancing their productivity.

Under the Made Smarter East Midlands Digital scheme, experts will offer guidance and assistance to manufacturing enterprises seeking to transition to advanced and automated technologies. The program encompasses services such as digital transformation road mapping, leadership development, grant funding, and access to industrial digital technology expertise. This support will be available until March 31, 2025, to aid in implementation.

The East Midlands Made Smarter Programme is a collaborative effort involving Greater Lincolnshire, D2N2, and Leicester & Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnerships, in conjunction with the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.

What types of support and grant funding are available to manufacturing businesses for their digital transformation endeavors?

Made Smarter Digital Transformation Specialists work closely with eligible businesses to tailor support for their digitalization journey. Here's what Made Smarter East Midlands offers:

For Manufacturing SMEs:

Digital Road Mapping: Crafting a comprehensive 3-5 year digitalization plan with initial steps outlined for immediate implementation.

Access to fully funded Industrial Digital Technology Advice (IDTA) intensive support.

Developing leadership skills for "Leading Digital Transformation" within the business.

Grant funding to bolster CAPEX and revenue projects.

For Micro Manufacturing Businesses (those with 9 or fewer staff):

Digital Road Mapping: Providing a streamlined roadmap for digital implementation.

Access to 10 hours of fully funded Industrial Digital Technology Advice (IDTA).

Grant funding support for CAPEX and revenue projects.

Additionally, there's up to 50% match funding available (up to £20,000 per company) for equipment and/or specialized advice for project implementation. Access to expertise in various digital technology areas such as Additive Manufacturing (3D printing), AR & VR, Big Data & Analytics, Cognitive Computing & AI (machine learning), Data & Systems Integration, Industrial Cyber Security, Internet of Things/CPS (sensors, Barcode, QRCode, RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, etc.), and Mobile Devices & Wearables is also provided.

To learn more, you can fill out the Made Smarter Journey Enquiry form here or visit their website for further information: Made Smarter East Midlands