FDBusiness.com

A number of food manufacturing firms in the North West of England have signed up to a business-led programme which aims to use digital technology to boost growth and success. By implementing advances in data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics, firms can enhance their profitability and competitive edge.

The investment is expected to bring extensive benefits including improved productivity and revenues, increased export sales, job creation, providing new skills to workforces, integration with supply chains and reduced environmental impact.

Bell Mount Farms, based in Penrith; Blends Holdings, based in Knowsley; Bells of Lazonby, based in Lazonby; Lancashire Farm Dairies, based in Rochdale, and Len Wright Salads in Tarleton, are among 11 business set to introduce advanced manufacturing methods. They will benefit from the £20 million Made Smarter Programme, which will help them to grow by adopting new digital technologies.

For these 11 businesses alone, the Made Smarter business support programme could deliver an additional £13 million in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years.

Helen and David Brass.

One business set to reap significant benefits from new tech is Bell Mount Farming, based in Penrith, Cumbria, which produces eggs for the Lakes Free Range Eggs brand. Owners David and Helen Brass want to adopt big data and analytics technology to boost egg production by ensuring the conditions are optimal for free range hens.

This would result in increased sales and profit, improved welfare for the hens, and a host of savings in terms of waste, energy use, travel and environmental impact. David Brass says: “At present, there is no real time data collection system in place across the UK laying flock to monitor egg laying hens. The matched-funding from Made Smarter will enable our ambitions to invest in a free-range egg management system to monitor the health of hens using sensors to optimise welfare and egg production. This would will provide a first step in the collection of a unique data set that will be shared by industry stakeholders, improve performance, welfare and aid research into the industry’s most pressing problems.”

Over the last 21 years, Blends Holdings has established itself as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of specialist food ingredients. It is investing in Industry 4.0 technologies to kick start the next stage of its growth.

Michael Rowark, Operations Director, says: “A digital software package to handle and manage the stock, process and accounts information would replace highly manual – often duplicated – tasks of data recording and entry into a single operation ensuring high efficiencies and accuracy of the current state of the production process for the business. This system will also provide the support needed to automate future processes that we want to explore, such as automating their bottling lines, and forms the backbone for our future digital expansions.”

Len Wright Salads processes a wide range of produce including lettuce and tomatoes from its huge site in Tarleton. Colin Charlesworth, Finance Director, says: “Our business has embarked on an ambitious transformation strategy to secure its future which includes the investment in a new prepared salad factory, one of the most advanced in Europe. The vision is to reduce our energy usage and improve our productivity through waste reduction using industry leading digital technology. Support and match-funding from Made Smarter and expertise from our external consultant Rick Patterson, has enabled us to make the crucial investment in IT and data infrastructure to support this goal.”

Bells of Lazonby is a family bakery and supplier of cakes, scones and artisan breads. As part of its growth strategy the business wants to automate its portioned cake with a bespoke solution featuring robotics.

Michael Bell, Managing Director, says: “We have invested heavily in new products and our new brand Bells and Whistles. Our sales have grown tremendously in the last 24 months and are in danger of having to turn new customers away due to the inability of our production facilities and processes to cope with any increased throughput. The robot installation would improve the speed of production and move staff from the cutting area to other areas in the bakery. The new technology will improve processing time and reduce wastage leading to increased profitability, enabling the company to become more competitive.”

The new firms to sign up to Made Smarter follow a pioneering tranche of nine manufacturers already part of the pilot, which aims to engage with over 3,000 manufacturing SMEs in the North West.

Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter North West pilot, comments: “I am thrilled to welcome another tranche of SMEs to the Made Smarter pilot. Working with business we have found that they are enthusiastic about the benefits of adopting new digital technology. Often, they need funding support, but also the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business.

“This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region. It’s been interesting to see the range of businesses and sub-sectors the successful applicants have come from and the technologies they have selected. Made Smarter is relevant for any North West SMEs employing less than 250 staff who make, create, manufacture or engineer and I urge local businesses not to miss this opportunity. Register today for a fully-funded audit of your operations.”

Minister for Business and Industry Nadhim Zahawi says: “The Made Smarter Programme is enabling manufacturers across the North West to access advanced digital technologies with the aim of driving growth and increasing productivity while reducing costs – all part of our ambition to make the UK a global leader in shaping how the modern world does business. The 11 new companies will not only reap the benefits themselves, the investment will support a multi-million-pound boost to the local economy, keeping the region at the forefront of the latest innovations. They join 24 businesses who have received project funding to date, and I would urge others to follow in their footsteps.”

Up to 600 North West firms will also qualify for more in-depth support including mentoring from senior industry figures, a leadership and management programme specifically designed to support leaders to implement digital change, and match-funded grants towards the cost of new software or hardware.