Improved productivity is now on the radar

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) North West has won additional funding to support a further 200 SME manufacturers in Lancashire.

The new programme, RADAR (Rapid Digital Assist Programme) aims to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the county’s SMEs.

It will run until the end of February 2023 and will engage in collaborations with 200 eligible manufacturers.

In the 2017 Made Smarter Review it was identified that the North West of England has the greatest manufacturing output, producing nine per cent of the UKs total exports.

However, it also revealed that the GVA per job was lagging behind the rest of the UK by a huge £6,000.

The new AMRC ERDF-funded project will help manufacturing SMEs develop new products and manufacturing processes through the application of rapid, flexible digital manufacturing techniques.

Melissa Conlon, commercial director at the AMRC North West, says: “We are very pleased to be awarded this additional funding to work with more of Lancashire SMEs. There is a definite correlation between GVA and productivity.

“The use of software, automation and connected manufacturing equipment will enable manufacturing processes to be rapidly accelerated, creating the catalyst for a step change in productivity and profitability.

Resource efficiency through digital technology adoption will improve sustainability and contribute to the move to zero carbon manufacturing, ensuring SMEs can compete in an increasingly environmentally aware and competitive global markets

“Whilst many manufacturers are being encouraged to think big and embrace digital technology within their operations, many are not yet fully ready to implement cutting edge technology.

“For some, there are a number of initial steps to take before any Industry 4.0 implementation.

“These steps can typically include production optimisation activities such as lean methodology and waste reduction/elimination, and implementation of Industry 3.0, such as basic automation and numerical control.

“The AMRC North West through RADAR aims to help Lancashire’s SME’s bridge that gap and help companies introduce Industry 4.0 technologies into their processes with less risk”.

AMRC North West has already worked with more than 170 Lancashire SME manufacturers since 2019. Here are just some of the projects it has been involved in:

  • Pendle Doors approached AMRC requiring a drill fixture that would guarantee the correct angle a pin would go into wood. AMRC North West created and designed a prototype using one of its vast range of additive manufacturing printers.
  • Mike England Timber wanted to alter and reconfigure its factory layout.  Using the fully funded ERDF Assist Programme, AMRC used specialist REVIT software to create a factory plan and virtual reality fly-through. This enabled the business to visualise the new layout, as well as having exact dimensions and machines plotted into the facility.
  • NIS in Chorley, manufacturers of large pieces of bespoke equipment, wanted to visualise how its designs would look and how structures would interrelate prior to manufacture. Working with the AMRC virtual reality team, the business found it possible to immerse itself in the design simulating the final build.
  • DA Techs in Adlington needed to gather data and information from its processes.

AMRC mapped out the workflow processes and identified how it could use sensors and the internet of things to capture the data in one place.

Many organisations struggle with new technology insertion into their manufacturing enterprises. The AMRC North West will help overcome the challenge of integrating smart manufacturing and big data for both new and old capital equipment.

It is able provide to support by identifying the need for improvement, developing the business case for investment, in-house versus vendor implementation/training and the effect on the workforce, as well as productivity and cost implications.

The AMRC North West is currently operating from its interim facility in Preston and will move the new purpose-built world class research facility on the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone in September this year.

It is an integral part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network (HVMC). The HVMC’s factory-like facilities provide the perfect environment to test, scale and derisk technology before transferring capability into industry and are supporting businesses to invest in the UK, to bring new products to market and improve performance.

This new ERDF RADAR programme will provide a dedicated team at AMRC North West that will develop rapid, flexible digital manufacturing programme that Lancashire SMEs can utilise to improve productivity and competitiveness.

For further information on the RADAR Programme contact. Nick Hall Business Engagement Manager 07510 409646 [email protected]

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

‘Simpler’ council structure is on the cards westminster-london.jpeg

‘Simpler’ council structure is on the cards

07 Nov 2024

2

New strategic partners revealed for Preston Partnership Preston partnership launch

New strategic partners revealed for Preston Partnership

07 Nov 2024

3

FWP delivers multi-million pound York racecourse redevelopment York racecourse

FWP delivers multi-million pound York racecourse redevelopment

07 Nov 2024

4

Eric Wright submit plans for new £2.5 sports and leisure facility at Waverley Park Plans for Waverley Park

Eric Wright submit plans for new £2.5 sports and leisure facility at Waverley Park

07 Nov 2024

5

Plans submitted for 1.3m sq ft Chorley logistics hub Plans have been submitted for the park

Plans submitted for 1.3m sq ft Chorley logistics hub

06 Nov 2024

PC PrestonMacan GIF980x120
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
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:00 - 16:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

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

09:00 - 16:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2024 - 17 Dec 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (14).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing
avidly activates audience having a good time.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing

Everyman Cinema, Holmes Mill, Clitheroe, BB7 1EB

10:00 - 16:00

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching
mBIT coach Practitioner.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2024 - 17 Nov 2024

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching

Unlocking Possibilities training venue, 166 Waterloo Road , Blackpool, FY4 2AF

09:00 - 17:00

North West HR Employers Forum
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Nov 2024 - 20 Nov 2024

North West HR Employers Forum

Wham Stadium, Accrington Stanley, Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX

09:00 - 12:00

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World
Live-Work-Create-Building-Community-1024x1024.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Nov 2024

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
20 Nov 2024

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event

Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, BB7 9PT

16:00 - 18:00

Emergency First Aid at Work
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Nov 2024

Emergency First Aid at Work

FGH Training, 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 05:00

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Quiz Returns for 10th Year!
Quiz Pic.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
21 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Quiz Returns for 10th Year!

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

17:00 - 20:30

SPARK The Apprenticeship Marketplace
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
21 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024

SPARK The Apprenticeship Marketplace

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 13:00

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 LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin