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 | 14 and 15 August 2025 | Heriot-Watt | Building peer networks Introduction to programme’s core themes Strategy and purpose |
| Setting strategic objectives | 12 September 2025 | Herriot-Watt | Strategic thinking, objective setting and action planning |
| Site visit | 3 October 2025 | National Robotarium | |
| Value stream mapping | 17 October 2025 | Heriot-Watt | Identification of digitalisation project using process flows and lean manufacturing techniques |
| Introduction to learning forums | 31 October 2025 | Online | Action learning |
| Introduction to sprints | 7 November 2025 | Online | A project management methodology to pilot digitalisation ideas |
| Sprints action planning | 14 November 2025 | Heriot-Watt | Action learning |
| Site visit | 5 December | TBC | |
| Learning forum | TBC | Online | Self-facilitated |
| Realising responsible leadership and managing change | 16 January 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Leadership and change management |
| Learning forum | TBC | Online | Self-facilitated |
| Final review, reflection and action planning | 13 February 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Sprint check in workshop |
| Learning forum | TBC | Online | Self-facilitated |
| Showcase symposium | 27 March 2026 | Heriot-Watt | Final presentation and graduation |
Application and Enrolment Information
The programme kicks off with an intensive start from August 14-15 and runs through to March 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.