Cumbrian business leaders are the first in the country to embark on a trailblazing leadership programme designed to equip them with the vision and the skills to pursue smarter manufacturing.
They are part of the Made Smarter Leadership Programme, run in collaboration with Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and the government-backed £20m Made Smarter initiative for North West manufacturers.
Robert Webb, Innovation Programme Manager at Forth Engineering, based in Maryport, and James Swindlehurst, Engineering Manager for Primasonics in Penrith, are among 12 business leaders from across the region who have embarked on an eight-month leadership programme involving a mixture of workshops, site-visits to ‘smart’ SME manufacturers around the region and facilitated-learning sessions.
They undertook their first site visit to Runcorn-based Hosokawa Micron Ltd, a manufacturer and supplier of powder processing systems and equipment, which has transformed its production performance through the application of digital technologies, allowing them to see a smart factory in action.
During the programme, participants will enhance their leadership capacity to enable them to take a strategic view required to adopt hi-tech and digitally-based manufacturing techniques into their own production processes.
They will also gain insights into undertaking an audit to reveal how digital-ready their business currently is, how to measure the true impact and value of any changes they make to the way they work, and how to successfully bring employees and other stakeholders along on their journey of business transformation.
Other parts of the programme, which will be delivered jointly by LUMS’ academic experts and business leaders already using smart technology, will include special project sprints to test new ideas.
Donna Edwards, Director of the North West Made Smarter pilot, said: “I’m delighted to see that the Made Smarter Leadership Programme delivered by Lancaster University Management School is already having a positive impact on its first cohort of business leaders in the North West.
“The programme is a unique opportunity for manufacturers who want to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies within their business.
“Crucially, it allows leaders to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas and experiences alongside their peers in manufacturing. This will help them return to their own business and develop a digital strategy – which has been identified as something many businesses lack, yet it is essential to create growth and efficiencies.”
Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “Lancaster has an outstanding track record in devising and delivering world-class business leadership training. Many of the successful methods we have developed have been embedded into this new programme and tailored specifically to address the aspirations of the Made Smarter initiative.
“It has been designed to empower participants to transform their individual businesses through the use of highly advanced manufacturing methods.”
Andrew Stephenson, Minister for Business and Industry, said: “This new collaboration between Made Smarter and Lancaster University is a fantastic opportunity for these 12 business leaders to develop their skills, get expert guidance and advance further the North West’s reputation for advanced and smart manufacturing.
“Supporting growing business directly on the ground through Made Smarter is a vital part of our modern Industrial Strategy, building on this country’s strong manufacturing heritage and delivering highly-skilled jobs for the future.
“With the Made Smarter pilot set to add up to £115million to the North West economy, I look forward to seeing how the 12 business leaders completing this course will transform and grow their companies as a result.”
Robert Webb, Innovation Programme Manager at Forth Engineering, an engineering specialist working in the nuclear and oil and gas sectors, said: “The course has been very helpful in looking at the strategic approach to digitalisation.
“Visits to businesses like Hosokawa are so useful to see how a large organisation with an international client list has implemented such transformational changes.
“I’ve also really enjoyed the interaction with the cohort. Sharing knowledge has been an interesting approach. Some of us are even exploring potential commercial ties.”
“I’m taking away a lot from each session. It’s about bringing all tools together and using them.”
James Swindlehurst, Engineering Manager for Primasonics, an acoustic cleaning systems manufacturer, said: “It has given me insight into how the business can improve through digitalisation. There are aspects of our internal systems that would benefit from an upgrade.”
Made Smarter includes match funding opportunities and the provision of impartial technical advice SMEs adopting digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Internet of Things, 3D-printing and robotics, to support advanced manufacturing.
Companies interested in registering or wanting more details should visit www.madesmarter.uk
For more details on the Made Smarter Leadership Programme at Lancaster University Management School, visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/madesmarter
