Manufacturers are to have their productivity and competitiveness boosted
thanks to a new data innovation hub and testbed led by Ulster University,
Industry Minister Lee Rowley has announced.
The £50 million Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH)
will support small and medium size manufacturers to capture and better utilise
their data, helping them increase productivity, growth and sustainability.
Businesses 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 supported by £20 million from the UK government
backed Made Smarter Innovation Programme, along with £30 million of business
co-investment.
UK 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 £20 million 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.”
The hub will host an online Manufacturing Data Exchange Platform that will
enable companies to submit their manufacturing data and receive recommendations
in return, helping to improve their products and processes. A dedicated £5
million fund will then provide companies with grants to make further
improvements in areas of critical importance to their business.
Virtual manufacturing testbeds will allow companies to create a ‘digital
twin’ to simulate the implementation of digital technology on their own
processes, harnessing data from other manufacturers that have already adopted
the technologies to encourage investment.
The SMDH will also provide
manufacturers with expert analysis of their emissions and energy data from
support staff specialising in data analytics and engineering, which will help
them target reductions in waste, energy use and ultimately improve
sustainability.
Pro Vice Chancellor Research at Ulster University Professor Liam Maguire
said: “Made Smarter provides the opportunity for innovative collaboration that
will be transformative in driving industry competitiveness. At Ulster
University, we have a strong track record of collaboration; using our research
and technology to act as a catalyst for change, innovation and positive
economic, social and environmental impact. Made Smarter is another important
project in the broader realisation of the Derry and Strabane City Deal agenda,
further enhancing the attractiveness of investment and driving economic growth.”
The SMDH will first
be accessible by small and medium size manufacturers in Northern Ireland in the
coming months, before going live for companies across the rest of the UK. The
programme will be supported across the rest of the UK by 12 delivery partners,
including the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing, Industry
Wales and Scottish Engineering.
The funding comes as part of the £300 million Made Smarter Innovation
Challenge, a collaboration between UK government and industry designed to
support the development and increased use of new and existing industrial
digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
The challenge aims to deliver a resilient, flexible, more productive and
environmentally sustainable UK manufacturing sector. It will also develop new
technologies that can be exploited commercially across the manufacturing
industry, worldwide.
