Highlights
4Manufacturing
The Knowledge Transfer Network’s 4Manufacturing project brings a revolution to manufacturing SMEs.
Summary
At the dawn of a ‘4th Industrial Revolution’, KTN has been helping SMEs to innovate and grow through its 4Manufacturing programme.
Over 175 SMEs have been supported on a one-to-one basis, with KTN supporting them to identify opportunities, develop a plan of action, increase capabilities, make valuable connections and deliver tangible business benefits.
4Manufacturing has been helping manufacturers to innovate and explore the potential for improved productivity and prosperity enabled by digitisation. The deployment and integration of digital technologies within businesses and across supply chains collectively represents a transformative opportunity for industry – dubbed a ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ (4IR, or Industry 4.0). KTN identified that, if the UK is to respond convincingly to this opportunity, then it is imperative that SMEs are engaged.
Through the 4Manufacturing pilot, KTN developed, tested and refined a framework for this SME engagement. We have helped over 175 SME manufacturers, on a one-to-one basis, to take their first steps along the 4IR journey, driving and enabling innovation and business improvement. We have also engaged many more through events. We are now looking to scale this pilot up and work with partners to provide access across the UK.
Through 4Manufacturing, KTN works with SMEs to:
- understand needs and identify opportunities
- define and follow a step-by-step balanced plan of action
- start with small improvements and grow capability and confidence
- make targeted links to enablers and funding
- deliver tangible benefits for business
Key Barriers
The barriers are reflected in these questions that kept coming up during our 4Manufacturing pilot:
- “We don’t really understand all the jargon and terminology”
- “Where do we start?”
- “Where can I see it?”
- “What is government doing?”
A Joined-up Approach
4Manufacturing has drawn upon KTN’s impartiality and its ethos of collaboration. The initiative has benefited greatly from the support of the HVM Catapult, GTMA, the Manufacturer magazine, IMechE, IET, Gambica and a highly skilled network of subcontractors with focus and expertise in particular regions and sectors.
One of the demonstrations featured at the 4Manufacturing event at AMRC’s Factory 2050, Feb 2017
Results
SMEs that KTN’s 4Manufacturing initiative has engaged, by sector
Themes within the 4Manufacturing framework that were priorities for the 175 SMEs in the 4Manufacturing pilot
“Very useful process [which] enables the business to take stock and evaluate what we do and more importantly what we can do... Assists us with our development for growth and expanding our knowledge base. Identifies gaps we have so supports our strategy to develop our skills and services. Keep doing what you do. Supporting SME’s is essential and really contributes to helping our businesses develop.” Ian Briggs, Tecforce