A £25m industry-led programme to tackle supply chain woes head-on has opened applications to businesses and academia across the UK.
Led by Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, the Made Smarter Innovation Digital Supply Chain Hub will create a community of large businesses, technology startups and academics to advance the development and adoption of cutting-edge digital technology. The four-year project will address the critical supply chain challenges facing UK business and industry, from supply and demand imbalances, to risk and resilience and the move to net zero.
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UK manufacturers are to have their productivity and competitiveness boosted thanks to a new digital smart factory and testbed at Ulster University, backed by £20m of funds from UKRI’s Made Smarter Innovation Challenge.
The £50m Smart Manufacturing Data Innovation Hub (SMDIH) will support small and medium size manufacturers to capture and better utilise their data, helping them increase productivity, growth and sustainability. Businesses in sectors spanning food and drink, aerospace, and many more will be supported to develop, test and adopt the latest data-driven technologies.
Nearly 10,000 manufacturers are expected to benefit from the hub and 13,000 jobs will be supported, helping to boost economic growth and level-up regions across the UK. The hub will be backed by £20m of government funds, along with £30m of business co-investment.
Industry Minister Lee Rowley said:
“As we embrace the digital manufacturing revolution, it is vital manufacturers across the UK can capitalise on the productivity and growth gains that come with the adopting the latest data-led digital technologies.
“The Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, backed by £20m of government funds, will support companies to implement cutting edge production and process techniques themselves, helping bring the next generation of products to our shelves in a more efficient and sustainable way.”
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Cross-border tax complexity cost UK manufacturers £24bn in lost revenue last year, according to new research commissioned by tax compliance technology company Avalara, Inc. from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).
The report finds that the stresses of navigating complex regulations post-Brexit continue to hold back growth for UK manufacturers and is causing significant anxiety for business leaders.
Complexity is damaging growth potential for UK manufacturers