The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru is supporting a programme to help Welsh industry benefit from digital technology to accelerate growth.
Delivered by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and funded by Welsh government, the SMART Digital Accelerator project aims to provide support and advice for Welsh manufacturers using the skills and expertise of academia and industry to improve processes. It will also work with companies to engage employees across the company, driving new, profitable business models.
The team is made up of industry advisers who will work with manufacturers in Wales to help them identify the right technology to boost production.
Andy Silcox, research director at AMRC Cymru, said: “SMART Digital Accelerator is an extremely exciting project that will have an impact, not only for the companies that engage directly with the programme but also for the wider Welsh manufacturing community. The programme will create a number of real-life case studies that will demonstrate the power of new digital technologies to increase productivity and help manufacturers reach their sustainability goals.”
AMRC Cymry added manufacturing is integral to the future wellbeing of Wales and this project seeks to ensure the manufacturing industry is prosperous, efficient, resilient, and thriving.
The project recognises with so many new technologies available, it can be difficult to identify which ones will be right for a business to help them solve the problems they face now and in the future. Its team will work with manufacturers providing knowledge drawn from industry and academia.
They will work alongside the business to identify where digital technologies could be deployed to help address any challenges. By the end of the process, the business will receive a highly personalised assessment that will make a meaningful and measurable impact.
Richard Morgan, project lead and head of innovation and engagement at UWTSD, said: “We are all so excited about this new project. The delivery team is made up of experts drawn from industry and academia – it is a real force! I know we can make a difference and we are looking forward to working with manufacturers across Wales. There are so many new technologies available to businesses and this initiative will help them make the right choices for them and not just use technology for technology’s sake.”
