3 Liverpool digital leaders graduate from Made Smarter programme

3 manufacturing leaders from Liverpool are among a new generation now armed with new digital skills and tools after graduating from a trailblazing North West programme.

FRC Group (Liverpool), CNC Robotics (Bootle) and Beverston Engineering (Knowsley) completed the:- 'Leading Digital Transformation' programme, designed by Made Smarter, the Government-funded industry led initiative to increase technology adoption among SME manufacturers, and Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met).

Delivered through a blend of face-to-face workshops, online webinars, case studies to see technology in action, and a site visit to PrintCity, Manchester Met's 3D additive and digital manufacturing centre, the funded programme empowers participants to create a bespoke digitalisation strategy for their business.

It also provides them with a set of practical tools to make the most of opportunities that digital transformation can offer and access further support from Made Smarter, including:- funding for new technology and specialist advisers.

75 digital leaders have been supported over the past 4 years through the inaugural Made Smarter leadership programme and more recently, Leading Digital Transformation, which is now recruiting for its next cohort of businesses. Manufacturers across the North West are now being encouraged to register their interest for the next intake, starting in early September 2023.

Commenting on the experience, Oliver Miller, Industry 4.0 Project Manager at Beverston Engineering, a precision component manufacturer, said:- "We have been on an incredible journey over the last few years, supported in part by Made Smarter, to create a smart factory and become an exemplar for other SMEs pursuing the same ambition. The leadership programme has been a fantastic opportunity to engage with a network of business leaders on the same journey, all with their own stories and insights."

Arthur Rowland, Process Improvement Business Partner at FRC Group, which operates social furniture recycling business Bulky Bob's, said:- "The programme was incredibly useful in setting the scene for digital transformation, and the tools needed to secure stakeholder buy-in for change at all levels. It helped avoid the trap of focusing on the technology alone, which is only 1 factor in a successful change project. It was great to meet a range of businesspeople in diverse SMEs who all had lots to contribute and share."

Nick Parry, System Engineer and Project Manager at CNC Robotics, a robotics integrator, said:- "The leadership programme has been really helpful for the business. There is a danger when it comes to the adoption of technology that the digital solution is the priority, when in fact bringing people along for the journey is most important. If you can change the culture then it will stick."

Reflecting on the success of the programme, Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, said:- "Technology and digital strategy have proved a great benefit to manufacturers over the last few years as they have navigated a multitude of crises. They will be even more important to navigate future challenges and opportunities. But it's clear that leadership and digital skills are needed to ensure businesses, especially SMEs, are properly equipped to deal with what lies ahead. Our mission is to develop a generation of digital leaders. I am delighted to celebrate the graduation of this latest cohort who have seen the value of taking time out of their businesses to share ideas and experiences and return with new ideas and a digital strategy to create sustainable growth."

Dr Ann Mulhaney from the Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Met, said:- "We're thrilled by the feedback of our 1st cohort, helping these business leaders at such a critical time for the industry. We look forward to working with the next group of participants as we collaborate on Made Smarter's vision to create digitally empowered SME manufacturers."

Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter's Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist Adviser, said:- "This programme is designed to be flexible for manufacturing leaders to fit around their busy schedules, allowing them to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas, experiences and opportunities with their peers in manufacturing. It focuses on strategy and how to identify critical priorities for taking a business forward, as well as highlighting where digital tools can help."

Since launching in 2019 Made Smarter has supported 2,500 manufacturers in the North West to access expert, impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops to help take that 1st step to transform a business, and support with technology adoption projects.

The programme is available by application to leaders from North West-based SME manufacturing businesses with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £50 million or a balance sheet total of less than £43 million.

For more details visit:- MadeSmarter.UK.

Liverpool's travel and tourism sector is welcoming a post Covid resurgence

NEW figures published have calculated vital information relating to Liverpool's tourism sector, and show last year's economic boost of more than £3.5 billion has outstripped previous City records.

Reflecting on 2022, the new statistics also highlight the number of visitors the City attracted, the accommodation usage and the number of local jobs supported.

Although not back to pre-Pandemic levels, the City is seeing a significant recovery in the sector which is expected to continue in the wake of hosting events such as the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. In the 1st 6 months of 2023 alone, 934,000 hotel rooms were sold; the strongest sales in 5 years.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "We're delighted with the rate of recovery, and seeing such a significant economic boost is a real vote of confidence for a sector this City relies so heavily upon. It's important not to forget that at the start of 2021 Covid19 restrictions were still in place and it was a pretty bleak outlook for this industry, particularly in Liverpool; so these figures are a welcome confidence boost that show the City is bouncing back. And of course, we can expect another strong set of results next year when the data for 2023 is unveiled, as the City continues to bask in the afterglow of Eurovision. I'd like to thank those working in our visitor economy sector, they should be incredibly proud of their achievements in making Liverpool a must-visit destination for all."

Liverpool's figures for 2022 show:-

• The local economy received an impressive £3.58billion uplift, compared to £2.45billion in 2021 - an impressive 46% increase.
   

• The City welcomed 31.5million visitors compared to 23.9million in 2021 - a 32% increase.
   

• In total, the number of visitor days spent in Liverpool were 37.1million, compared to 27.7million in 2021 - a 34% increase.
   

• Hotel occupancy was up with 1.98million visitors compared to 1.24million in 2021. Non-serviced accommodation, such as Airbnb, also proved popular with more than 358,000 visitors using them compared to just over 228,000 in 2021.
   

• The number of jobs in the sector rose by more than 37%, with 35,060 people employed in 2022 and 25,535 in 2021.

Susan Finnegan, Acting Head of Visitor Economy, said:- "Liverpool's visitor economy is resoundingly on the rise once again - it's a return to true form and a clear sign of even greater things to come. But it's important to note our job is far from over and we never rest on our laurels. There are still many challenges, but Liverpool and the wider City Region is resilient, resourceful and ready for any challenge. So, we are determined to continue to welcome even more visitors, encourage greater spending and longer stays and we'll show the world what a truly amazing place Liverpool City Region is for visitors, residents and businesses alike."

The Liverpool specific data has been collated since 2011 and shows visitor figures peaked in 2018 with 38 million recorded; coinciding with the year long celebration programme which marked a decade since the City's European Capital of Culture title.

Some of the City Council organised major events to take place in Liverpool during 2022 were:- the World Gymnastics Championships, the Liverpool Football Club Victory Parade, River of Light and Chinese Lunar New Year.

Janet Nuzum, Visitor Economy Sector Manager at Growth Platform said:- "We are absolutely delighted to witness the resurgence of tourism in Liverpool City Region. And these figures can only go on an upward trajectory with the success of hosting this year's Eurovision Song Contest, The Open Championship, the Grand National Festival and other world famous events. Eurovision alone is forecast to increase the number of visitors to the City Region by around 5% for years to come; boosting the economy by £250m by 2026. There is of course still work to be done but the support and resilience of our local community, businesses, and tourism partners have not only been integral to this fantastic recovery but are key to the continued growth of our visitor economy."

The figures are produced by STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) a nationally recognised measure of the UK tourism industry; and were commissioned by the Visitor Economy team at Growth Platform; Liverpool City Region Growth Company. Hotel occupancy data is provided by STR Global Ltd.

For the full Liverpool City Region report, click here.