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£ 5.6 million, ERDF-funded project brings together leading universities and industry experts to support the growth and resilience of the region’s SMB manufacturers
SMB manufacturers in Cheshire and Warrington can now access free hands-on support and local R&D expertise to help them get the most out of industrial digital technologies after a new initiative was launched: CW4.0.
It is open to manufacturers at every stage of digital transformation, from those who need to understand how new technologies can leverage their operations, to companies still on the adoption curve who want to test and implement cutting edge technologies like sensor technology and advanced scanning , 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analysis.
Expressions of interest from SME manufacturers are now invited, with the first cohort of companies expected to join the initiative within weeks.
The £ 5.6 million CW4.0 initiative is the successor to the phenomenally successful LCR4.0, which ran for three years and helped more than 300 SMEs take advantage of new technologies in the Liverpool metropolitan area. Hailed as a model project in a government review, LCR4.0 has left a sustainable digital legacy for the metropolitan area; This will result in hundreds of new jobs, more than 50 new products in the market and a long-term increase in GVA expected to be around £ 31 million.
The strategy will have a similarly transformative impact on the Cheshire and Warrington economies. It is provided by a consortium of northwestern organizations with decades of experience helping businesses digital transformation. It is led by the University of Liverpool’s Virtual Engineering Center (VEC) in collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Liverpool John Moore’s University and the Northern Automotive Alliance. The initiative is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
CW4.0 has been tailored to meet the specific needs of manufacturers operating in many of the region’s high-growth sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and renewable energy. Some of the business cases to support include making factory floors smarter, safer, and more productive; Building resilience and predictability in supply chains; and develop better products.
Andrew Borland, CW4.0 Lead and Head of Commercial at VEC, said, “CW4.0 will demonstrate the value of digital technologies to SMEs in the region. By bringing together the facilities, skills and experience of leading universities and industry experts, we will address the unique challenges companies face and help them increase productivity and decrease innovation by developing smarter products, processes and supply chains.
“Many companies were forced to adopt digital technologies at a rapid pace during the COVID-19 pandemic. If the UK emerges from this, there is a tremendous opportunity to carry this momentum not only for companies that have started their digital journey, but also for those who haven’t already. CW4.0 will ensure that no SME is left behind in a world where the resilience, productivity and security offered by digitized processes become non-negotiable expectations of their customers.
“With the overwhelming success of our work in the Liverpool City Region, we know that even manufacturers with little prior knowledge of Industry 4.0 technologies can benefit greatly from the support and facilities of this program. Nearly a third of the companies in LCR that we have worked with to demystify digital technologies saw sales growth, and 86% of those companies developed and commercialized new products.
“We have set ourselves ambitious goals to work with around 170 manufacturers in the next two years up to CW4.0 and expect to have the first tranche of companies on board within a few weeks. We look forward to hearing from SMEs in the region who want to take advantage of the opportunities that new digital ways of working can offer their companies. “
Philip Cox, Chief Executive of Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said, “Manufacturing is an integral part of the Cheshire & Warrington economy, supporting 45,000 jobs and contributing £ 7.7 billion to the sub-region’s GVA. Digitization is increasingly the key to improving productivity and profitability, and I encourage our midsize manufacturing community to take this opportunity for fully funded, expert support on their doorstep. ”Over the next two years, CW4.0 will be providing intensive support to 170 SMEs , Establish 140 new R&D collaborations, bring at least 40 new products to market and accelerate the growth of twenty start-ups.
Anthony Walker, Strategic Manager at Liverpool John Moores University, said, “CW4.0 will help companies in high-growth manufacturing sectors – from automotive to pharmaceuticals and everything in between – take advantage of digital technologies. In this way, they can commercialize new products, increase sales growth and make their operations future-proof. “
Dr. Angela Walsh, Business Development Manager at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) said, “Our SME cohort will benefit not only from the expertise of three research institutions, but also access to some of the most advanced and comprehensive R&D facilities in the Northwest. We look forward to exploring the art of possible with SMBs in Cheshire and Warrington as they plan for the future. ”
Paul Jones, Chief Executive of the Northern Automotive Alliance, said, “As manufacturing becomes an increasingly digital process, it is important that SMB manufacturers and their supply chain partners continue to adapt their operations and adopt new technological approaches. CW4.0 provides fully funded access to cutting edge technology and dedicated expertise to make digital adoption a seamless experience. “
This was posted in Bdaily’s member news section by Sarah Jones.
