Made Smarter - a new programme for manufacturing SMEs!
Ready to lead your manufacturing business into a digitally empowered future? Apply today and join a community of forward-thinking leaders dedicated to shaping the future of manufacturing. Applications Now Open!
In today’s fast-evolving digital manufacturing landscape, agility and innovation are essential. Research shows that manufacturing SMEs embracing digital transformation can achieve 20–30% revenue growth while reducing costs.
Why Join the Made Smarter Leadership Programme?
This programme is the UK’s premier initiative designed for manufacturing SME leaders looking to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies, boost operational efficiency, and drive business growth.
Developed by Lancaster University School of Management and now delivered by Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, this expert-led digital transformation programme is your essential pathway to becoming a smart manufacturer in today’s competitive market.
Programme Elements
- Dynamic Learning Environment: Engage with a close-knit group of like-minded delegates and key stakeholders through digital leadership workshops that tackle the core challenges of adopting and sustaining digital technologies.
- Structured Sessions: Participate in monthly sessions featuring expert-led workshops, immersive site visits, and bespoke consultancy. Benefit from cutting-edge research presented by leading academics from Edinburgh Business School alongside seasoned business practitioners.
- Innovation in Action: Develop your own ‘sprint’—a focused project that allows you to test innovative ideas within your organisation, turning theoretical insights into practical, measurable outcomes.
- Access to the National Robotarium: Gain exclusive hands-on experience with cutting-edge robotics and automation technologies at the national Robotarium, enhancing your capability to drive digital innovation in manufacturing.
- SME Support: As part of our commitment to the SME community, fully funded places are available on both the Government's Help to Grow programme and the Made Smarter initiative, ensuring you receive top-tier training and resources without financial barriers.
Timetable
| Workshop | Date | Location | Core themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential induction | 15th and 16th January 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Building peer networks Introduction to programme’s core themes Strategy and purpose |
| Setting strategic objectives | 13th February 2026 | Herriot-Watt | Strategic thinking, objective setting and action planning |
| Site visit | 6th March 2026 | National Robotarium | |
| Value stream mapping | 20th March 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Identification of digitalisation project using process flows and lean manufacturing techniques |
| Introduction to learning forums | 10th April 2026 | Online | Action learning |
| Introduction to sprints | 24th April 2026 | Online | A project management methodology to pilot digitalisation ideas |
| Sprints action planning | 8th May 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Action learning |
| Site visit | 22nd May 2026 | TBC | |
| Learning forum | 5th June 2026 | Online | Self-facilitated |
| Realising responsible leadership and managing change | 26th June 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Leadership and change management |
| Learning forum | 3rd July 2026 | Online | Self-facilitated |
| Final review, reflection and action planning | 10th July 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Sprint check in workshop |
| Learning forum | 14th August 2026 | Online | Self-facilitated |
| Showcase symposium | 18th September 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Final presentation and graduation |
Application and Enrolment Information
The programme kicks off with an intensive start from January 15th-16th 2026 and runs through to September 2026, providing a clear, structured path towards smarter manufacturing. The fee is £2,500 per delegate—reduced from £5,000 and subsidised by Edinburgh Business School as part of our commitment to the SME community.
Enrolment is now open. For detailed information please email l.osmond@hw.ac.uk.