Made Smarter West Midlands launched in 2021, to drive digital adoption in West Midlands manufacturing and engineering SMEs.

The West Midlands Growth Company, together with strategic partners Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), delivers the programme for the region, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Support is provided through a range of activities, including grant funding, digital road mapping, change management training, mentoring, and 1:1 advice from 6 digital transformation specialists, each covering one of the areas supported; Coventry & Warwickshire, Greater Birmingham & Solihull, The Black Country, The Marches, Worcestershire, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire.

The programme helps to accelerate the adoption of new digital technologies within advanced manufacturing and engineering SMEs, that will boost their productivity, decrease downtime and help them get to market faster.

SMEs who are eligible for support are connected with Industrial Digital Technology Advisors at either WMG or MTC who deliver more intensive 1:1 technical and R&D support, together with support to apply for a match-funded grant of up to £20K, and future road-mapping activity towards implementation of the digital solutions.

The programme also includes operational and workforce development support and an internship offer, which provides manufacturers with skills support alongside change management and leadership skills training.

Contact the Made Smarter West Midlands team at [email protected]