UK rubber moulder seals smart-manufacturing support

London – Rubber components company Pendle Polymer Engineering is among a group of companies to benefit from a UK scheme to support the adoption of new digital technology and skills among small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers.

The Made Smarter programme is intended to help companies to “start their digital journey by providing them with specialist advice and a digital roadmap to help them select the right approach, level of investment and tools for their business.”

The scheme was started in north west England, where 250 SMEs such as Pendle Polymer Engineering, received support with investments in new technology, ranging from software and sensors to robotics and extended reality.

According to a spokesman for the Made Smarter programme, Pendle Polymer, based in Colne, received support for a recent investment project in the area of simulation technology.

Pendle Polymer manufactures rubber-to-metal bonding, seals and precision mouldings – from seals weighing fractions of a gramme through to the manufacture of complete and sophisticated engine mounting systems.

The UK company processes a wide range of polymers, from natural rubber through to polyurethanes and fluoroelastomers for orders ranging from single items to millions of units per year.

Made Smarter has now secured around €7 million over three more years to accelerate its drive to support hundreds more SME manufacturers to embrace the industry 4.0 movement.

Following its pioneering work in north west, the scheme has gone on a national roll-out across the UK

The UK government recognises the “extraordinary impact that Made Smarter’s adoption programme is having on digitalisation of SMEs and the adoption of Industry 4.0,” said Alain Dilworth, regional manager for the Made Smarter programme.

The north west England pilot engaged with 1,131 businesses to help them introduce digital tools and technologies, with 542 manufacturers receiving intensive expert support.

Some 126 businesses have secured €4 million in matched funding for 155 projects which are worth €14 million after private sector investment.