Oldham companies drive Made Smarter to 400 tech projects milestone

A Milestone for Made Smarter in the North West

Two local manufacturers from Oldham have played a significant role in helping the Made Smarter initiative reach a major milestone—its 400th technology project. Framos Fabrications and Waterloo Business Management are among the latest businesses to benefit from this taxpayer-funded programme, which aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting new technologies.

Framos Fabrications is an engineering company that specialises in metal fabrications, while Waterloo Business Management focuses on the destruction and recycling of printer consumables. Both companies have taken advantage of the opportunities provided by the Made Smarter scheme to enhance their operations and future growth prospects.

Tim Wrinch, managing director of Framos Fabrications, shared his thoughts on the investment in MIE Trak Pro ERP software. He said, "Investing in this software gives us the platform we need to support our growth ambitions. This technology will help us work smarter, create new roles, and upskill 15 of our existing team members, ensuring we have the skills and capacity to meet future demand. It’s an exciting step forward for our business."

The funding provided through the scheme will enable Framos to implement data and systems integration technology, further streamlining its operations. Over the past seven years, Made Smarter has allocated £7.4 million in matched funding to manufacturers across the North West. This has supported a total of £26 million in technology investments, with the potential to create over 1,850 jobs, upskill 3,300 workers, and contribute £276 million to the regional economy over the next three years.

Donna Edwards, the programme director for Made Smarter, expressed her pride in reaching the 400th funded technology project. She said, "Reaching our 400th funded technology project is a proud milestone for Made Smarter and a powerful demonstration of what manufacturers in the North West can achieve with the right support. Over the last seven years, we’ve seen hundreds of SMEs take confident steps towards digitalisation, boosting productivity, creating jobs, and laying the groundwork for long-term growth. What excites me most is that this is just the beginning."

She added, "With every new project, we’re building a stronger, smarter manufacturing base — better equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow and lead the way in innovation, resilience, and sustainability."

Support Beyond Funding

In addition to grant funding, Made Smarter offers a range of services to support businesses in their digital transformation journey. These include:

Digital transformation workshops
Technology advice and guidance
Leadership and skills training programmes
A digital internship initiative

These resources are designed to help manufacturers not only adopt new technologies but also build the necessary skills and knowledge to sustain long-term growth. The programme continues to expand its reach, providing essential support to SMEs in the North West and beyond.

As the initiative moves forward, it remains focused on fostering a more resilient and innovative manufacturing sector. With each new project, Made Smarter reinforces its commitment to driving progress and ensuring that local businesses are well-equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving industry landscape.