Delivered locally and supported nationally

4Manufacturing® is a tool with support framework that helps manufacturers to deploy digital technologies and realise the 4th industrial revolution (industry 4.0)

Working with regional delivery partners across Local Government, LEPs, Growth Hubs and Industry Associations, 4Manufacturing® provides:

  • A new way to engage with SME manufacturers to help them develop their digital manufacturing journey

  • An assessment and road mapping tool designed for front line advisors working with manufacturers to define and build an action plan

  • Connections to a wealth of knowledge, expertise, partners, funding and finance in particular Innovate UK, KTN and the Catapult Network.

  • Benchmarking data on adoption of digital technologies for the manufacturing sector, regions and devolved administrations.

  • An online portal to find local advisors using an interactive map and learn more about digital manufacturing in the library of resources

4Manufacturing® was developed in partnership with industry by Knowledge Transfer Network and Innovate UK

KTN

Work with us on 4Manufacturing®

We are seeking to engage delivery specialists to work with us and use the tools we’ve developed. This will enable them to roll out this proven, practical and effective support to more companies than the 175 in our pilot study. Use of the tool is free and we will provide specialist training.

In particular, we are seeking LEPs, Growth Hubs, Universities, manufacturing and innovation managers who roll out support programs in the regions. If you are interested in discussing how we might work together to support manufacturing SMEs, please get in touch with our 4Manufacturing® team to discuss your ideas.

Get in touch

KTN are working with a small cohort of regional partners to test and refine the 4Manufacturing® approach and the digital tool for market, through capacity building of the business advisors in the region. One of the early partners are Invest NI, who are working with SME manufacturers to help them adopt digital technologies in their quest to align with the objectives of #industry4.0.

A recent interview with Pat Doyle, Manager Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Engineering Team, IRD Division, from Invest Northern Ireland highlighted that 4Manufacturing® tool will help manufacturing businesses in Northern Ireland to improve their productivity and their overall competitiveness against businesses across the whole of the UK.