Food and drink makers in Sandbach and the surrounding area are being offered a free guide to give them the ingredients for digitalisation.

The downloadable document has been produced by Made Smarter, the North West technology adoption programme, a collaboration between UK government and industry designed to support the increased use of digital technologies.

The guide includes topics such as how to get started with digital technologies, infrastructure management, increasing control, reducing waste and boosting sustainability, enhancing traceability, and how to hit new trends.

The programme has worked with dozens of SMEs across the entire supply chain from farm to fork to capitalise on the multitude of benefits that digitalisation offers.

These include: salad, fruit and potato growers; cheese and yogurt makers; bakers, confectioners, and dessert manufacturers; breweries; health and nutrition producers; as well as businesses making baby food, black pudding, flavourings, and pet food.

Through impartial expert technology advice and match funding on technology projects, digital transformation workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps, a leadership programme, digital technology internships, and skills development, it is helping businesses in the sector increase productivity, achieve sustainable growth, and create new high value jobs.

Digital transformation has also proven to be critical to food and drink manufacturers of all sizes over the last 18 months, with the combined impacts of the corona virus pandemic, Brexit, and the drive towards net zero.

Made Smarter, which has supported businesses to deliver an additional £176 million in gross value added and create hundreds of new jobs, is now keen to reach more manufacturers to aid the growth of the North West's £3.3bn food and drink industry which employs more than 45,000 people*.

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Alain Dilworth, North West Adoption Programme Manager at Made Smarter, said: "While the North West is home to some of the food industry's biggest names such as Nestle, Heinz, and Kellogg's, it is also brimming with innovative small and medium sized enterprises across the entire supply chain, working hard to ensure we continue to enjoy our favourite food and drink from farm to fork.

"The triple challenge of the pandemic, Brexit and the net zero agenda, have created a perfect storm for the food and drink industry, impacting SMEs more than most.

"But despite these pressures, many of these businesses have shown resilience and determination to keep up with the fast moving industry and are working with Made Smarter on their digital transformation.

"From using robotics and process control technologies to improve sustainability and automating data collection points to create a line of traceability, technologies are not only helping producers overcome challenges, but also unlock a whole host of opportunities.

"To help demystify digitalisation and help SMEs to their first step, we have produced some crucial guidance as well as explained why implementing digital tools is such a priority in this sector."

To download the free guide www.madesmarter.uk/resources/guide-food-and-drink-manufacturing-is-changing/