LANCASHIRE manufacturers are set to gather for a virtual conference on recovery, growth and digital technology.

The event will be delivered by the Made Smarter North West technology pilot, an organisation working to improve manufacturers' access to technology, on March 10 and will showcase the work of organisations such as Make UK and ATEC Engineering.  

They will be joined by small and medium sized business from across Lancashire who have made use of Made Smarter's North West Adoption Programme, which aims to equip firms with the skills to adopt the latest digital technologies.

Made Smarter North West pilot programme director Donna Edwards said: “This conference is a unique opportunity to showcase to UK manufacturers the tremendous achievements of the pilot, the value technology can bring to the sector, and give real-life examples of makers who have started their digital journey, reporting growth, productivity and efficiency gains, and job creation.

“Whatever you make from wherever you are in the UK the journey to digital manufacturing event offers you the chance to learn from the experiences from industry leaders, gain the know-how you need from experts, and hear from peers who have been through the journey.”

Lancashire companies set to take part in the event include Chorley-based wheel refurbishment specialists DA Techs, Burscough food manufacturer Nutree Life and Preston agriculture company Environsystems.

The conference is free to access for anyone across the spectrum of UK manufacturing and engineering, including aerospace, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical, construction, defence, electronics, energy, food and drink, nuclear, plastics, security, steel, space and textiles.

It will include panel discussions and roundtable debates, interactive workshops, demonstrations of the latest digital manufacturing technologies; and one-to-one advice sessions.

Made Smarter co-chair Juergen Maier said: “For manufacturers by manufacturers, this summit is a must-attend event for anyone working in the sector to learn how to make their product or process smarter.

“In these tumultuous times COVID-19 has, without doubt, demonstrated that digital tools can enable and accelerate innovation, and create resilience.

“Grasping the digital opportunities has never been more important for businesses to recover and return stronger.”

To find out more, go to: https://www.madesmarter.uk/conference.