Small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs) across Cumbria have invested £2.7million in technology.

This is through the adoption programme by Made Smarter in the North West, a programme funded by the government and backed by the industry.

The programme has secured over £900,000 in matched funding for 44 businesses in the county.

Paul Ward, general manager of Kong Climbing, one of the new joiners, said new digital tools significantly enhanced their capabilities to offer services and products.

He added: "The impact of Made Smarter’s support cannot be overstated.

"We are now better equipped to tackle challenges, explore new opportunities and make a lasting impact in our field."

In Cumbria: Paul Ward, general manager of Kong Climbing

The 44 companies have adopted various technologies, including sensors, robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI). Private investors have also backed these manufacturers with an investment of £1.8million.

They predict the creation of 129 jobs and the upskilling of 226 roles, which will inject £24.6million into the Cumbrian economy.

The programme has supported 300 businesses including six that have recently joined from Cumbria, pushing the total tech investment to 300.

Contour Campervan Furniture, another participant, praised Made Smarter’s programme for the access to CNC machinery, which facilitated production of birch plywood campervan furniture in-house.

Caitlin Green and Tom Lake, co-founders of Contour Campervan Furniture said: "This technology has enabled us to bring production of our birch plywood campervan furniture in-house.

"We can now produce more, have improved quality control over our product, and are able to innovate and create new products much more quickly.

"This has helped us to create jobs, made us a more profitable company and significantly reduced our lead times for our shipped flat-pack campervan furniture.”

In Cumbria: Contour Campervan Furniture praised Made Smarter’s programme for the access to CNC machinery

Since 2019, SME manufacturers across the North West have invested £22million in new technologies.

These investments are forecasting the creation of almost 1,600 new jobs, over 2,850 upskilled roles, and adding £242million to the economy over the next three years.

Donna Edwards, director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, encouraged more manufacturers to connect with Made Smarter to access funded support.

She said: "Digital isn’t coming – it’s arrived.

In Cumbria:

"Adopting technologies at the right time and in the right way is the key to unlocking real benefits for industry, society and the planet."