Made Smarter publishes free digitisation guide for chemical manufacturers

By Tim Aldred

14 Sep 2021

Made Smarter, the government-backed programme designed to drive productivity and growth of manufacturing industries by putting the UK at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution, has produced a free guide to help chemical manufacturers to adopt new digital technologies.

The Challenging World of Chemical Manufacturing guide includes topics such as how digital tools can help tackle key business challenges including: achieving consistent quality, complying with regulations, managing waste and pollution, identifying supply chain trends, and supporting production planning.

It has been produced by Made Smarter, which has already supported businesses to deliver an additional £176m in gross value added and create hundreds of new jobs, and is now keen to reach more chemical manufacturers to aid the growth of the North West’s £10bn chemical industry.

Made Smarter also gives access to impartial expert technology advice and match funding on technology projects, digital transformation workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps, a leadership programme, digital technology internships, and skills development.

Donna Edwards, North West adoption programme director at Made Smarter, said: “The North West is made up of hundreds of chemical makers who create a variety of products which impact virtually every aspect of our lives, such as soap, paint and fuel.

"The sector is adopting digital technologies at a faster rate than other sectors in a race to stay competitive, adapt to strict quality standards, compliance and reporting responsibilities, and reduce its environmental impact through waste and emissions.

"However, in highly regulated manufacturing, jumping feet first is very risky and upgrading to new technologies can seem like a complex and daunting task. To help demystify digitalisation and help SMEs to their first step, we have produced some crucial guidance as well as explained why implementing digital tools is such a priority in this sector."

Made Smarter is working in partnership with the Chemical Industries Association (CIA), the leading national trade association representing chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

Ian Cranshaw, head of regional affairs for the CIA, said: "The success of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West has demonstrated the value of targeted support for SME manufacturers to help them take those first steps on their digitalisation journeys.

“At the Chemical Industries Association we have been studying the impact and potential of digitisation for some time, having set out our latest thinking in our Digitisation in the Chemical Industry report. Investment in digital technologies for plants is increasing. However there are several key barriers preventing faster and more widespread adoption and in order to overcome these, we have urged the Government to implement the findings of the Made Smarter review.”

The guide is available to download free of charge by following this link.

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Minister officially opens cutting-edge security operations centre at Burnley College 31-10-24 - Ministeral Visit - Abena Oppong-Asare -5.jpg.jpg

Minister officially opens cutting-edge security operations centre at Burnley College

05 Nov 2024

2

Nybble's Charlotte Knowles appointed to Brewin Dolphin’s Female Founders Board Charlotte Knowles

Nybble's Charlotte Knowles appointed to Brewin Dolphin’s Female Founders Board

05 Nov 2024

3

Rugby legend backs University of Central Lancashire’s push to boost careers in sport Liam Farrell

Rugby legend backs University of Central Lancashire’s push to boost careers in sport

05 Nov 2024

4

Healthier homes on the horizon thanks to business team-up Deyrick Allen, Niamh Allen, Derek Horrocks and Tom Allen

Healthier homes on the horizon thanks to business team-up

04 Nov 2024

5

LCM acquires CorroGuard and strengthens its position as a leading coatings service provider LCM Corroguard email header.jpg.jpg

LCM acquires CorroGuard and strengthens its position as a leading coatings service provider

04 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

Why Trade Internationally?
Chamber Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
06 Nov 2024 - 06 Nov 2024

Why Trade Internationally?

Lune Brew Co. Unit 2, Galgate Mill, Ind Est, Chapel Ln, Galgate, Lancaster, LA2 0PR

08:00 - 11:00

Bridging The Gap: Connecting business and developers
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2024 - 06 Nov 2024

Bridging The Gap: Connecting business and developers

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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