Textile manufacturers are being urged to adopt digitalisation to drive sustainability and growth.
Twelve firms in Cumbria are among 125 based in the North West tapping into impartial expert technology advice and digital transformation workshops.
Oubas Knitwear, a manufacturer of knitted textiles, garments and accessories based in Ulverston; and Cumbria Embroidery & Print, a manufacturer of corporate and personalised workwear uniforms and leisurewear, based in Barrow-in-Furness are among the companies taking part.
Kate Stalker, director of Oubas Knitwear, said: “As a business it is important that we continually strive to improve our design, manufacturing and business processes. New technology and skills will play a big part in that.
“We embarked on Made Smarter’s Digital Transformation Workshop to access the fully funded help to take stock of our current situation and explore how technology can overcome some of our challenges. It was a valuable exercise that has given us a digital roadmap and vision for the future.”
Meanwhile, a number of companies, supported by matched-funding, are investing in new digital technology to solve key challenges while increasing productivity, growth, and creating new high value jobs.
Stead McAlpin, a manufacturer of luxury furnishing fabrics in Carlisle, has capitalised on the Made Smarter programme.
Ben Soper, managing director, said: “We have experienced huge benefits from engaging with Made Smarter. Its digital transformation workshop helped us focus our ideas to identify some solutions, then we secured grant funding to aid with the integration of new digital technology. Meanwhile, Made Smarter’s digital internship programme gave us a valuable resource and expertise to help trial and implement the technology.
“As a traditional analogue printer this new digital technology is game-changing for us. It’s a new way of working which will enable us to become much more agile and responsive to customer requests and open up new markets. Such big change requires a careful and considered approach and Made Smarter has supported us all the way. We wouldn’t have had the confidence to take such a leap without their help.”
Alain Dilworth, North West adoption programme manager at Made Smarter, said: “The textile industry in the North West was at the centre of the first industrial revolution with technological advances enabling cottons, wools, silks and dyestuffs to be produced at unprecedented rates for export around the globe. It is fitting that Made Smarter is now offering its support and expertise to help the same industry embrace the opportunity to lead the fourth industrial revolution.
“COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the industry with supply chains broken, falling sales and regrettably, some businesses having to close. Rebuilding is an opportunity to create a more sustainable approach which enables better resilience by taking advantage of the new digital technologies.
“I am delighted that Made Smarter has been able to support so many of the region’s textile manufacturers to start their digitalisation journey. Our ambition now is to reach out to the hundreds of others across the region to support them to take their first steps to future-proof their business.”
