Manufacturing leaders from Lancashire have joined a new coalition helping North West SMEs tackle the challenges and opportunities created by AI, automation and rising global competition.

Iain Minton, Technology Capability Delivery Director at BAE Systems, and Deyrick Allen of Sustainable Smart Technologies, have joined the strengthened industry steering group behind Made Smarter North West’s £2.5M technology adoption programme.

The refreshed group brings together manufacturing, engineering, technology and business leaders to help guide support for smaller firms navigating rapid industrial change.

Made Smarter is a government-backed initiative that helps manufacturers modernise operations, improve productivity and strengthen digital skills at a time when businesses face growing pressure to cut costs, tackle skills shortages and remain globally competitive.

Unlike many industry panels, several of the SME manufacturers helping shape the programme have benefited directly from Made Smarter themselves, giving the steering group first-hand experience of the barriers and opportunities facing smaller businesses adopting digital technologies.

Since launching in 2019, Made Smarter North West has supported more than 2,400 manufacturers, developed 550 digital roadmaps, delivered 250 leadership and digital champions training interventions, and placed 85 digital interns into businesses.

Manufacturers supported through the programme have secured more than £8.1M in matched funding, unlocking over £28.3M of investment in technologies ranging from AI and ERP systems to robotics, automation and additive manufacturing.

Together, these investments are helping create more than 1,900 jobs, upskill almost 3,500 roles, and contribute £287M to the North West economy.

Iain Minton, who has spent more than 30 years in aerospace engineering and now leads technology programmes at BAE Systems Air, said manufacturers must not be left behind as industrial technology evolves.

He said: “The North West has a strong manufacturing heritage, a real spirit of innovation and many outstanding companies that consistently punch above their weight.

“I’m proud to chair a group of industry leaders who share the same ambition: to help strengthen the region’s manufacturing base and ensure more businesses are aware of the support and opportunities available through Made Smarter, so they can better understand and adopt technologies such as automation, robotics and AI in ways that genuinely make a difference to their business.”

Deyrick Allen, Commercial Director for Sustainable Smart Technologies, a Rawtenstall manufacturer of IoT solutions for domestic and commercial sectors, said: “I joined the steering group because Made Smarter is one of the few programmes that understands the real barriers facing SME manufacturers. Many firms know digital technology matters, but need trusted, practical support to turn ambition into action on the factory floor.

“The biggest opportunity is using data, sensors, automation and connectivity to make factories more productive, energy efficient and resilient. Across the North West, manufacturers are under pressure on cost, carbon and skills. Made Smarter can help by making adoption less daunting, more practical and linked to clear business outcomes.

“Made Smarter has a key role in helping SMEs move from awareness to implementation. The next phase is about building confidence, skills and repeatable use cases, so firms can adopt technologies such as IoT, AI, robotics and private 5G in ways that improve competitiveness, productivity and long-term sustainability.”

The refreshed steering group also includes representatives from Siemens, Arden Dies, Firstplay Dietary Foods, BEP Surface Technologies, Brainboxes and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The programme offers leadership training, digital skills development, technology advice and match-funded grants of up to £20,000 to help SMEs adopt and scale industrial digital technologies.