Made Smarter, a programme helping SME manufacturers in the textiles sector access technology and digital skills, is to be rolled out nationally.

The Government has committed to expanding the Made Smarter Adoption Programme to all nine English regions in 2025-26 before working with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2026-27. The programme offers technology advice, leadership, and skills training, as well as grant funding for digital internships and technology projects.

It was launched in the North West in 2019, where it has engaged with 2,500 manufacturers and funded 334 technology projects, which are forecast to create 1,550 jobs, upskill 2,772 existing roles, and increase North West GVA by £242m.

The pilot was then rolled out further to the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, East Midlands, and West of England.

The announcement coincides with the publication of a new report by Made Smarter. ‘Delivering Impact: How Made Smarter Inspires Digital Transformation’ outlines the impact of the adoption model and proposes ways to make it even better.

VISIT THE MADE SMARTER WEBSITE

Companies in the UK fashion and textile industry that have already engaged with the programme include Oubas Knitwear, based in Ulverston, as manufacturer of knitted textiles, garments and accessories; Cumbria Embroidery & Print, based in Barrow-in-Furness, a manufacturer of corporate and personalised workwear uniforms and leisurewear; Private White V.C, a manufacturer of luxury handmade menswear based in Salford; Abbey England, a Knutsford-based manufacturer of leather and brassware for the equestrian and leather goods market; Derek Rose, a specialist manufacturer of nightwear, loungewear and leisurewear based in Congleton; Creative Apparel, a clothing manufacturer in Stockport; Openhouse Products, a manufacture of bespoke medical bags, based in Birkenhead; Try & Lilly, headwear manufacturers based in Liverpool; Sigmatex (UK),a carbon fibre textile manufacturer based in Runcorn; The Leather Satchel Co, manufacturers of leather goods based in Liverpool; The Uniform Factory, a textile printing and embroidery specialist based in Liverpool; Linzi Jay, a manufacturer of communion gowns and bridal accessories based in Blackburn, Suzi Wong Creations, a manufacturer of boxing shorts, fightwear and training kit based in Chorley; Ian Mankin, a manufacturer of designer furnishing fabrics based in Burnley; Lantex, a textile manufacturer in Accrington; Cookson & Clegg, a Blackburn-based clothing manufacturer; and Panaz, a supplier of decorative fabrics and wallcoverings based in Burnley.