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Two senior appointments as Altrincham education firm grows

Sam Whitear
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A Greater Manchester tutoring business has expanded its team with two senior appointments, in order to help schools across the UK recover from 2020.

Altrincham’s Yipiyap has appointed Abbie Stewart as Operations Manager and Elly Baker as Head of Project Development.

Abbie, from Lymm, joins after almost three years working as a school finance officer and 16 years at KPMG. Her role at Yipiyap will see her head up the recruitment of new peer tutor candidates and the manage the UK-wide tutoring schedules.

Elly lives in central Manchester. She has joined Yipiyap following several years working in tech recruitment in Europe. She will be central to Yipiyap’s ongoing expansion as she researches and rolls out new business models and school projects.

Yipiyap was founded in 2012 by former maths teacher Anne Morris. The organisation harnesses the talent of high-achieving school leavers and following a thorough interview process, places them with schools for their gap year, providing peer tutoring in English, Maths or Science. The company has grown exponentially, placing hundreds of peer tutors in schools and colleges, and with £650m Catch Up Funding being provided for schools by the government, Anne has seen enquiries increase by 50% over the last few months.

“The main priority for headteachers over the next 12 months is to help their pupils make up for any learning lost through Covid closures and home-schooling – and our approach allows them to do this in a way that suits their establishment, their students and their budgets,” says Anne. “By bringing peer tutors into their schools they can provide support to their teaching staff and welcome enthusiastic, intelligent young people who are proven to bring their best out of their learners.

“We’re delighted to welcome Abbie and Elly to the team as we support schools and colleges across the northwest and all over the UK.”

MANCTOPIA’S CAPITAL&CENTRIC TO DELIVER £50M COMMUNITY IN FARNWORTH TOWN CENTRE

Sam Whitear
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Bolton Council has agreed a deal with social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC – the stars of BBC2 documentary Manctopia – to redevelop the former market precinct in Farnworth town centre.

The plans will see the site transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use community based on the developer’s neighbourhood housing concept. It will include over 200 modern homes centred around a new public square for artisan markets, live events and more.

The plans also include a new flexible space for community uses and events, with a village hall feel, which could host vintage fairs, art galleries, and pop up gin bars. It will also see a linear park and spaces for café-bars, delis, a mini-cinema, gym and co-working.

Located on King Street in the heart of the town centre, the site is a short walk from the train station with easy access into Bolton and Manchester, and on the doorstep of the refurbished bus-station, making it an ideal location for commuters.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said: “This is about rebooting and modernising the market town. By creating 200 new homes around the square, we’re bringing life, and spending power, back to the town centre, so it’ll have its own ecosystem. We’re looking to attract the region’s best artists, makers and indie operators to set up home here.
“If you jump on a train you can be in Manchester in less than 20 minutes, so we see this rivalling the city centre with the same quality homes but affordable to more people from young professionals to downsizers. All surrounded by an incredible public square, plenty of trees and loads of places to hang out.”

Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Martyn Cox, added: “It’s great to see such exciting development plans for Farnworth town centre. Capital & Centric have a fantastic track record of not just creating buildings but communities for people to live, work and socialise in, which is what is needed to transform Farnworth town centre and make it more vibrant, attractive for visitors and fit for the future.”

Chair of the Farnworth steering group, Cllr Paul Sanders, said: “This is real progress and what we’ve been waiting for. The delivery of the key development proposals in the masterplan is vital for Farnworth and the plans proposed by Capital & Centric are welcomed. Our ambition is to rejuvenate the town centre and bring in new community facilities for our residents. We are looking forward to sharing the plans with Farnworthians, Kearsleyites and our partners.”

Bolton Council has purchased the Market Precinct from St Modwen and entered into an agreement with CAPITAL&CENTRIC to progress the long-awaited redevelopment of this major site. CAPITAL&CENTRIC is planning to launch a public consultation on the plans, which are being designed by architects BDP, in the new year.

This is CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s first project in Bolton, following other town centre schemes in Stockport and Rochdale being announced earlier this year. The developer is famed for its high quality and bold designs and focus on creating a positive social impact.

Farnworth reached the second phase of the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, a multi-million pound pot of cash set up to make high streets fit for the future. ‪ The council submitted a business case in June 2020 and is waiting to hear whether the £19m bid has been successful. The additional funds would help in the delivery of a number of key development projects identified in the Farnworth town centre masterplan. Farnworth is also one of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s Town Centre challenge areas.

MANCHESTER LEGAL TECH FIRM APPOINTS ANDREW LEAITHERLAND

Sam Whitear
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Manchester legal technology firm Summize has appointed Andrew Leaitherland to its board.

Former Group CEO at DWF and founder of arch.law, Andrew joins the team as a non-executive director and will be advising the firm on its expansion.

A prominent figure in the legal industry, Andrew has more than 20 years’ experience of building and operating law firms, and alongside running arch.law, acts as Chair of The Legal Director.

Established in 2018, Summize is a lightweight assistant to the contract lifecycle and is used by both in-house and private practice legal teams, as well as SMEs.

Andrew Leaitherland, non-executive director at Summize, said: “The use of technology in the legal sector has the potential to be revolutionary, and already we’re seeing the positive impact it can have both on firms’ efficiency and client servicing.

“I’m joining Summize at an exciting time, both for the industry and the company. The firm has already taken its first steps into international markets and has ambitious plans to develop more software and expand its reach to new sectors over the next year.”

Summize, the developer and provider of software for the legal sector, has recently secured £1 million in funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), which will be used as it embarks on its next stage of growth. It will utilise the new funding to expand its client base, develop new services and fine-tune its product offering.

Tom Dunlop, CEO of Summize, said: “We’re excited to have Andrew on board as we start working on our long-term expansion ambitions. Andrew has a wealth of experience working within forward-thinking firms and his expertise will be invaluable, particularly as we continue to provide support to firms looking to take the next step in innovation.

“Manchester is home to a thriving tech scene, and the biggest cluster outside of London, and we want to see this grow, with aspirations to have the region rival the likes of Silicon Valley.

“By working together across the technology sector and sharing ideas we can bring this dream to life and help the firms that call the city home unlock the benefits of digital too – whether that’s using it to forge new relationships at home or abroad, or to evolve their working practices in more efficient, digitally-driven ways.”

Since it was established in 2018, Summize has secured over £1.5 million in funding from different partners. This has been used to bolster team growth, accelerate product development and enable the firm to expand internationally, serving clients in the United States, Australia and South Africa.

The NPIF is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, an initiative launched by the government-owned British Business Bank. It forms part of the government’s Northern Powerhouse vision to rebalance the economies of the north and south of England.

Specialist Manchester Agencies Embryo and BGN Have Partnered To Deliver Branding And Digital Marketing For Leading UK Pet Food Manufacturer Burgess Pet Care

Sam Whitear
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Manchester-based agency Embryo and branding agency BGN have partnered together to provide leading UK pet food manufacturer Burgess Pet Care specialist branding, packaging and digital marketing campaigns.

One of the nation’s biggest providers of pet food for cats, dogs and small animals, Burgess Pet Care were looking for a trusted and reputable digital marketing agency to deliver their first SEO and PPC campaigns, alongside results-driven content, social media and digital PR services.

Looking to drive brand exposure and sales upwards for the end of 2020 and forward into 2021, Burgess chose Embryo and BGN for the job due to their reputation and achievements in the industry. They impressed the North Yorkshire-based pet food manufacturer with its proposal for a multi-channel approach to marketing and were chosen above a range of Leeds, London and Sheffield based digital marketing agencies.

Family-run Burgess Pet Care were won over by Embryo’s experience and commitment to building long-standing relationships with its clients, alongside the recent recognition they have received in the industry, having been nominated for multiple awards at the Northern Digital Awards.

Digital marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care, Joshua Duggan, said:

‘We chose to work with Embryo because we were really impressed by their industry knowledge and helpful advice. They provide an excellence service in all of the digital marketing projects we are currently running including PPC, SEO and PR. We always feel like we can pick up the phone at any time and get a quick and helpful answer to any of our queries.’

BGN has helped to relaunch their sensitive dog food range, alongside providing brand strategy, brand identity, packaging designs and creatives for the campaigns that Embryo will then deliver upon.

Antonio Giansante, Managing Director at BGN, said:

‘I am always beating the drum for specialist agencies coming together, to collaborate and compete against larger ‘integrated’ agencies. I’m delighted that the team at Burgess have seen the value in working this way. It’s great working with a trusted agency like Embryo and we have full confidence that they can amplify the brand and campaign creative that we will be working on for Burgess in the coming months.’

Embryo has implemented a comprehensive range of digital marketing strategies, including Burgess’s first SEO campaign and first PPC campaign outside of Amazon’s platform. The specialist digital marketing agency has also been recruited to deliver social media and digital PR campaigns.

In just a few months, Embryo has managed to produce paid social media marketing that has driven website purchases up by 91.27% and website conversion value up by 81.09% as part of a global campaign that includes advertising for the UAE and New Zealand. Embryo’s signature SEO and long form content marketing has also driven organic transactions up by 213.11%.

They have also launched several exciting digital PR campaigns, including a festive campaign and a collaboration with Paul O’Grady that has earned Burgess Pet Care high profile media coverage.

Embryo has continued to grow throughout 2020, making nine new hires including several senior appointments, and will continue to grow rapidly heading into 2021.

Managing Director at Embryo, Ross Green, said:

‘Our whole team bought into Burgess’ family run values and we’re really excited to be working with one of the UK’s leading pet food brands. We have collaborated with BGN on multiple successful projects to date and we’re very confident that we will deliver the same success with Burgess.’

Creative England is proud to support Hand To Hand Combat, a new short film that seeks to raise awareness of domestic abuse

Sam Whitear
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Creative England is proud to support Hand To Hand Combat, a new short film that seeks to raise awareness of domestic abuse – an incredibly important issue that has sadly been exacerbated by life under lockdown.

Written by playwright Jayne Marshall (The Lives And Loves Of Vera Dymond) and directed by Paul Blinkhorn (After Auschwitz; Duty Calls), the film features a cast of 45 Manchester-based women from a variety of acting and non-acting backgrounds.

Filmed remotely and under lockdown conditions, the powerful, affecting short film seeks to make a positive change at a time when survivors of domestic violence are perhaps feeling more in danger and more hidden from view than ever.

Beginning life as a play, Hand To Hand Combat was a winner of the Manchester Monologues competition, and was performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre and aired on BBC Radio Manchester. This adaptation was helmed by director Paul Blinkhorn, writer and director of numerous plays, short films and audio dramas. Paul has received training from Creative England via the Ideate Manchester programme, an initiative that offers training, coaching and mentoring for those working in fields such as film, TV, games and theatre.

Jayne and Paul say: “if just one person is able to find comfort and safety from the film then we will have achieved our goal.”

Stephanie Clark, Senior Programme and Engagement Manager for Creative England, said: “Making a film under lockdown conditions is no mean feat, let alone one this powerful and with such an important, meaningful message. Hand To Hand Combat feels vital and timely, and our hats go off to Paul, Jayne, their crew and talented cast for what they’ve achieved. The film showcases the creative sector’s tenacity and can-do attitude as well as its desire to make a positive change, and we couldn’t be happier to support it.”

Mobile messaging specialist appoints new Technical Director

Sam Whitear
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VOODOO, one of the UK’s fastest growing mobile messaging specialists has strengthened its senior management team after appointing experienced agile software engineer and business analyst Rob Kerr as its Technical Director.

Rob will be responsible for overseeing the future development of VOODOO’s powerful mobile messaging platform, where he will head a team of seven developers as the business prepares to harness the potential offered by the next generation of mobile messaging technology.

In a career spanning more than twenty years Rob has held senior software development roles where he has helped a diverse range of businesses and public sector organisations to embrace new forms of technology to improve customer experiences.

For nearly a decade Rob was part of the BBC’s development team where he led the successful technical redevelopment of the corporation’s GCSE Bitesize service. Rob helped to transform a tired, static website into a modern interactive experience for end users. His work on the project included the development of a new content management system, as well as collaborating with internal content teams and examination boards to ensure relevant course content covering a varied range of syllabuses was available within the platform. Today, Bitesize is accessed by over half a million users each week.

Rob will be based in VOODOO’s Manchester-based technical innovation hub, where he will play a key role in bringing new products and services to market, as well as enhancing the company’s powerful mobile messaging platform.

Rob Kerr, Technical Director of Voodoo SMS, said:

“Throughout my career I’ve always been interested in helping businesses harness technology. The telecoms and mobile marketing sectors are constantly evolving and changing, which is an enticing challenge.

“Demand for mobile messaging as a business communication tool has mushroomed in recent years and I am looking forward to helping VOODOO’s development team deliver on the potential offered by the next generation of mobile messaging technology.”

Gareth Davies, Managing Director, VOODOO, said:

“Rob joins VOODOO at an exciting time for the business, one in which we’ve enjoyed a significant period of growth. However, we’ve never been an organisation to rest on our laurels and we are committed to helping our customers harness some of the latest technology available within the mobile messaging market.

“The next generation of mobile messaging will offer any new and secure ways to help businesses communicate with their customers and with Rob’s extensive background in both software engineering and business analysis, he has already established himself as a key member of our organisation.”

Launched in 2013, VOODOO uses a custom-built SMS delivery platform to help businesses communicate via mobile messaging more effectively. The powerful web-based platform is used in a wide range of applications including setting appointment reminders, receiving feedback of products or services, as well as integrating its capabilities with CRM systems, allowing the effectiveness of mobile marketing campaigns to be monitored and measured. The company was awarded ISO 270001 in 2019 and counts some of Britain’s best known brands amongst its growing client base. VOODOO is the trading name of Bulk SMS Ltd.

Ex MediaCom Associate Director, Claire Garner joins as Research & Trends Director.

Sam Whitear
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With further three team members joining company grows to 48 full team members and moves to new 2,000 sq ft office on Portland Street.

The Insights People, the global leader in kids, tweens and teens market intelligence, is delighted to announce the appointment of four new team members. The company specialises in research and insights on kids aged 3-18 and their ecosystems. It surveys more than 5,000 children every week, across five continents and 13 countries, or more than 277,000 children a year.

Claire Garner joins to lead the bespoke research team and lead the company’s media effectiveness analysis service. Claire has extensive research, insight and media experience having worked at MediaCom for 17 years as Associate Director, and more recently running Manchester based More Insight.

Nick Richardson, founder & CEO comments: “Claire has been a great friend to the business, pretty much from day one, as she has worked with us on a number of projects. I am delighted that Claire has joined the company, in what is a key role for us, not only oversee our bespoke research team, but also to lead our media analysis and evaluation services, which we will be launching early next year.”

Claire adds: “It’s so exciting to be part of a team again, and a team which is so focused on innovation and solutions. Working with Nick in the past, it’s always been clear that The Insights People is a dynamic business. With insight being a long-time passion of mine, being able to work with like-minded, forward thinking people is a fantastic opportunity.”

The company also welcomes Lewis Townsend as Account Manager, Sam Nguyen as Research Executive and Joseph Newton as Junior Developer.

Lewis Townsend, Account Director says “After spending my first few days with Nick, and the rest of the team it is abundantly clear how passionate and dedicated everyone is in this business. The company is at an extremely exciting stage where we are seeing growth across the globe, and I am delighted to join the ever-expanding team.”

Nottingham Trent University graduate, Sam Nguyen, Research Executive says:

“The world is changing constantly, therefore, actionable and up-to-date insights are becoming more important than ever to drive business decisions. I really look forward to contributing to the company’s further development, utilising my knowledge and skills.”

Swansea University graduate, Joseph Newton joins as Junior Developer, he adds:

“I am looking forward to working for a company that is so innovative, has a clear vision and strong cultural values, as well as learning and applying the latest technologies to my field of work.”

In addition to the new recruits, Beth Bleathman is promoted to Senior Research Executive. She says: “I am delighted to be promoted, and so proud to be a part of such a fast expanding business. I am really looking forward to continuing to grow with The Insights People, and to pass on my knowledge and support to the new research executives who join the team.”

Commenting on the new hires, Nick Richardson, Founder and CEO of The Insights People says: “I am continually humbled by the quality of people applying for roles at The Insights People, and am absolutely delighted to have Claire, Lewis, Sam and Joseph on board, who all bring incredible skills, energy and a collaborative way of working to our team. And a huge congratulations to Beth on her well-deserved promotion.”

These appointments come after the recent appointments of ex-Reach Plc executives Richard Roycroft and Sarah Mitchell who join as Commercial Director and Group Account Director. The company also continues its recruitment activity with it recruiting for roles in research, marketing, tech development and data science.

£41 million Town Investment Plan submitted to boost town centre regeneration

Sam Whitear
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Oldham Town Deal Board has submitted plans to secure £41 million funding as part of the Government’s Towns Fund.

The Board, made up of representatives from across the public and private sectors, has developed the Town Investment Plan.

By focussing on five ambitious projects, it will accelerate change across the town centre.

The projects are:

Northern Roots: the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park. This nationally significant project will create 160 acres of high-quality green space and environment enhancement for community use, a short stroll from Oldham town centre. Funding of £8 million will support the cost of enabling works and access routes, the construction of key infrastructure including the visitor centre, education centre, market garden and mountain biking hub.
Minewater Heat Network: converting water from flooded coal mines into energy to create an environmentally friendly power source for the town centre. £4 million of funding will support the drilling of two boreholes and feasibility testing.
Relocating Tommyfield Market from its existing site into Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre: funding of £7 million will facilitate the relocation of traders into the shopping centre as part of wider efforts to deliver the Oldham Town Centre Vision.
Flexible Workspace: like the relocation of Tommyfield Market, the introduction of the town centre’s first Grade A office accommodation to Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre will diversify the space into a thriving economic and social hub with increased levels of footfall. Supported by £6 million from the Towns Fund, the contemporary office space will appeal to new entrepreneurs and growing sectors like creative design and media, to deliver new jobs for local people and replicate successes elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Making Space – For Live Performance: this project will provide a new flexible performance space in the town centre for use by local arts and culture providers including Oldham Coliseum. Based within a redeveloped Old Post Office and former Quaker Meeting House at 84 Union Street, which will both be retained as part of the project, it will provide additional creative arts and performance spaces that meet modern requirements. Backed by £16 million from the Towns Fund, it will play a significant role in post COVID-19 recovery.
In keeping with Oldham Council’s sustainability ambitions, most of the projects will be reusing and repurposing existing buildings (rather than building new), thereby minimising the carbon footprint of redevelopment and placing green recovery and clean growth principles at the heart of town centre revitalisation.

Peter Holbrook CBE, Chair of the Oldham Town Deal Board and Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “The Town Investment Plan demonstrates that there is no shortage of ambition and aspiration in Oldham.

“The Town Deal Board formed last year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our aim was always for Oldham to be a place where business and enterprise can thrive and where people will want to live, visit, relax and work.

“The pandemic has underlined the importance of this vision and the projects identified will be crucial in helping the borough to rebuild and recover.”

The Town Deal Board meets regularly – and has been meeting virtually during the coronavirus pandemic – to develop Oldham’s Town Investment Plan and brings together a very diverse range of key stakeholders and perspectives.

The Towns Fund is a £3.6 billion government fund which aims to support regeneration projects in towns which have a proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefited from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.

Oldham is among the 101 towns selected to submit a bid. The TIP will be followed by a detailed business plan for the projects.

Cllr Sean Fielding, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise, said: “The Towns Fund is all about levelling up places like Oldham. The pandemic has widened this gap so this national investment will make a real difference to creating jobs, opportunities and growth when it’s needed more than ever.

“We’ve identified some really exciting projects which will put Oldham on the map and pave the way for a brighter future for our town.”

DOWNTOWN COMPLETES FREEHOLD DEAL WITH AVIVA

Sam Whitear
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Downtown Salford Ltd, part of the McGoff Group, has successfully completed a multi-million pound deal with Aviva, selling the freehold of its flagship 374 apartment development, Downtown, located on Woden Street.

For the McGoff Group, the deal signals the culmination of a hugely successful £85m city centre scheme, whilst Aviva benefits from long term annual ground rents which will support its future investments and pension plans.

The McGoff Group heralds its success to the one-stop-shop nature of conception, project delivery and asset management. The scheme was designed and delivered by McGoff Construction, with Downtown being sold to an international buy-to-let market, all off plan and in record time, which allowed the development to be delivered one year ahead of schedule to Aviva. Downtown has also provided much needed rental accommodation to Manchester’s burgeoning population.

The Group now also block manage the development with an on-site property management team and provide letting services for tenants.

Prior to purchase, Aviva also carried out intense scrutiny of Downtown, reviewing the build and ongoing maintenance, as well as ensuring all fire regulations were met and appropriate cladding documents in place.

Paul Danks, Group Business Director at the McGoff Group, comments: “The sale of the freehold to Aviva, such a reputable company, marks a major milestone for Downtown.

“The underlying factor is that Downtown is a high quality scheme that has been built to the highest standards, and the Group’s approach to building maintenance is excellent, which ultimately attracted Aviva to the development. Its interrogation of Downtown was thorough, and we met every element of the strict criteria, allowing the deal to progress.”

The McGoff Group worked with Beyond Corporate on the deal. James Flynn, partner at Beyond Corporate, adds: “We have worked with the McGoff Group every step of the way on Downtown, dealing with the acquisition contract, planning phase, funding agreements, construction documents, unit sales and eventually the freehold sale, as well as lots of smaller issues along the way. It has been a pleasure to be involved in the scheme and great to see it come to such a successful conclusion for all concerned.”

Chris McGoff, Director at the McGoff Group, concludes: “What we have achieved at Downtown is a symbol of what the Group has become and showcases our very sophisticated skill sets.

“Success in delivering projects of this scale is all about speed of sales, absolute discipline in cost control and construction procurement, and meeting the promises you make to lenders and clients by delivering on time and on budget. Getting the sales pace wrong, by not tapping into the international investor base correctly, and disconnecting the build to third parties, drives peak debt costs and inherently creates risk for funders and buyers as you lose control of what you are doing, and your scheme profit very quickly turns to brick dust. The longer your development remains the product of delay, the longer you are exposed to external influences beyond your control and the pandemic has only heightened this view.

“We not only source land, manage the planning process whilst driving efficiency in design, but we are also traditional builders, international sales specialists, asset managers and letting agents. We have built this reputation not just in the residential arena, but the Group’s New Care business is now recognised as one of the leading development-led care home operators in the UK.

“The unblemished track record and skill set we have fostered has enabled us to transact with leading lending institutions, UK funds and US REITs on a repeat basis, and it is fantastic to be able to add Aviva to this stable.”

Greater Manchester manufacturers, supported by Made Smarter, forecast almost 200 new jobs from £3M technology investment

Sam Whitear
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Greater Manchester manufacturers supported by Made Smarter, the movement helping SMEs join the Industry 4.0 revolution, are forecasting the creation of almost 200 new jobs from £3M of technology investment.

Since it was launched two years ago, the North West technology adoption pilot has engaged with 350 businesses in the city region to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to boost productivity and growth, and navigate the impact of Covid-19.

148 manufacturers have received intensive support including expert, impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, a leadership programme, and funded digital technology internships.

34 businesses have secured £841,000 matched funding for 44 projects which are worth £3M after private sector investment.

The technology adoption projects are forecast to deliver an additional £32M in gross value added (GVA) for the Greater Manchester economy over the next three years, create 191 new jobs, and upskill 455 existing roles.

Some manufacturers are developing projects using technologies which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes. Others are using 3D-printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand.

Over 80% of SMEs working with Made Smarter to adopt cutting-edge technologies have seen a boost in productivity, and more than 25% reduced their carbon emissions. Businesses will also benefit from increased revenue, profits and exports, and lower energy bills.

Among the latest wave of manufacturers to secure funding for technology projects are: Forest Sofa (Salford); Garton Ltd (Wigan); Norlin Compounding Services (Bolton); Northwest Crankshaft & Machine Ltd (Wigan); Pilot Group Infrastructure (Manchester); Crystal Doors (Rochdale); Rotite Technologies (Stretford); and Visual Architects (Hyde).

Ryan Mohieddin, Managing Director of Forest Sofa, a furniture manufacturer based in Salford, said: “With the support and advice of Made Smarter we have been able to invest in a data and systems integration project which will enable us to digitally track our production through the manufacturing process. The increased visibility will enable Forest to better manage resource demands and reduce the likelihood of bottlenecking.

“Significantly the new system will also enable us to provide real time updates to our customers, something that I believe will be a first for our sector. We recognise that customer experience is key to a successful business, and the personalisation and automation of real time updates will enhance our customers journey.“

Ben Horn, Digital Transformation Programme Manager at Crystal Doors, a manufacturer of bespoke vinyl wrapped furniture components based in Rochdale, said: “Made Smarter has been supporting us in launching our Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Platform project. From the first meeting, their insight and advice have been invaluable in refining the project to become as focused and impactful as it is today.

“Very soon, we will be taking the project live, transforming our customer experience and taking our manufacturing data management to the next level. The insights on our operations which we expect to get as a result of the project will allow us to make huge strides in efficiency and in improving the quality of our service.”

Connor Whyley, Design Manager at Rotite Technologies, a designer of bespoke fastening solutions based in Stretford, said: “With the support of Made Smarter we are using additive manufacturing to revolutionise the way we work by offering a product range looking to make life easier through simple and intuitive connections. AM is ideal as it allows us to continually develop our range as we grow, whilst offering bespoke features like mass customisation.

“Made Smarter has been paramount to us being able to adopt AM and we are excited about what further opportunities this affords us.”

Lefteris Angelidis, Managing Director at Visual Architects, a designer and manufacturer of event interiors based in Hyde, said: “Made Smarter has been rocket fuel for our company. With the programme’s support we have not only analysed where we are now but looked well into the future and mapped out a real solid direction.

“The support of the staff has been incredible from advancing us to presenting us with a lot of really helpful information. Besides the support Made Smarter has enabled us to invest into robotics, new machinery and a digital technology intern to assist us in advancing our company to the next level.
“Made smarter has been one of the most valuable assets a company could ask for.”

Peter Durkin, Managing Director of Mini Gears, a manufacturer of supplier of machined parts, gears and gear racks, based in Stockport, said: “With the support and advice of Made Smarter we have been able to invest in a data and systems integration project which will help us achieve our aim of a paperless factory and drive growth and productivity.”

Meanwhile, several manufacturers who have experienced the benefits of Made Smarter support, are
taking the next step in their digitalisation journey including: Astropol (Wigan); Fabricon Design (Ashton-under-Lyne); Manchester Manufacturing Group (Denton); and The Bury Black Pudding Co (Bury).

Chris Wright, Managing Director of Astropol, a colour masterbatch and additive specialist based in Wigan, said: “With the support and advice of Made Smarter we have been able to invest in data and systems integration projects which will connect our entire business, helping us achieve complete digitalisation.
“This will transform our business, giving us complete visualisation, transparency and access to real time data, which we can use to improve productivity, find efficiencies, achieve manufacturing excellence, and drive sales in home and export markets.”

Richard Morris, Production Director for the Bury Black Pudding Co. said: “Our ambition is to create the world’s first smart black pudding factory. We have identified a pathway to achieving that ambition which starts with data and systems integration, then analytics, and automation. Working with the team at Made Smarter has accelerated our plan by years.”

Across the North West, the technology adoption pilot has engaged with 1,131 businesses, giving 540 intensive support, and supporting 126 businesses with £3.2M matched funding for 155 projects. This investment is forecast to deliver an additional £118M in gross value added (GVA) for the region’s economy over the next three years, create over 750 new jobs and upskill almost 1,600 existing roles.

Juergen Maier CBE, Chair of Made Smarter, said: “I am delighted to see the positive impact that Made Smarter’s adoption pilot is having on individuals, businesses, the environment, and the UK economy.

“In the tumultuous times we face, it can be tempting to simply cut costs rather than invest. Yet, in the long term, this approach runs the risk of businesses getting left behind. For the UK manufacturing sector to thrive and become a world leader, we need to find ways to encourage innovation and the adoption of digital technologies.”

As well as technology, Made Smarter has supported manufacturers to develop digital strategies and new skills.

Made Smarter’s digital transformation workshops are a rapid and bespoke process designed to accelerate manufacturing growth by identifying digital tools and technologies that can maximise operational processes and enhance business growth.

The region’s business leaders are now equipped with the vision and the skills to pursue smarter manufacturing through the Made Smarter Leadership programme, in partnership with Lancaster University and now also delivered by the University of Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manufacturers have also benefited from Made Smarter’s digital technology internships which offer students and graduates paid placements to work on live technology projects. Some have even secured jobs following their placement.

Donna Edwards, North West Pilot Programme Director at Made Smarter, said: “Over the last two years the pilot has proven the value technology can bring to the manufacturing sector.

“We have helped hundreds of North West makers start their digital journey by providing them with specialist advice to help them select the right approach, level of investment and tools for their business.

“We have seen huge success with Made Smarter-supported businesses reporting growth, productivity and efficiency gains, job creation and high-value jobs. We’re also playing a crucial role in helping the UK reach its ambitious aim of net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050.

“Reaching 155 funded projects which will support 126 businesses to create over 750 new jobs and upskill almost 1,600 existing roles is a tremendous achievement.

“We are determined to continue reaching out to the region’s SME manufacturers to connect them to the tools that will make an everyday difference to their businesses. I would encourage manufacturers to contact Made Smarter to ensure they don’t miss out.”

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