Manufacturing is a key economic driver for Lancashire, employing over 80,000 people and supporting a significant supply chain across high-value sectors such as aerospace and automotive.

To mark National Manufacturing Day on September 26th, Innovate Lancashire has been speaking to several experts about the county’s manufacturing strengths and growth potential. We’ve also gathered some top tips from manufacturing specialists which could help companies accelerate innovation within their business.

So, why does manufacturing matter to Lancashire?

“Manufacturing contributes over £2bn every year to the national economy and supports a workforce of over 2.5m,” says Graham Baldwin, Vice Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire and Chair of the Lancashire Innovation Board, “and in Lancashire, which is home to the second highest concentration of manufacturing activity in the UK, it supports thousands of additional high value jobs across many different supply chains.”

“But beyond impressive employment numbers and significant GVA impact, the UK’s manufacturing base drives world-class innovation and commercial creativity, especially in sectors such as aerospace and automotive where Lancashire is particularly strong.”

Miranda Barker OBE, Chief Executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, agrees that Lancashire has deep rooted manufacturing strengths, and believes low carbon manufacturing is also now a significant specialisation in the county.

She said: “Lancashire is a hotbed of manufacturing excellence across multiple sectors, not least the thriving low carbon tech field, where Lancashire is seen as a place of innovation, with a cluster of expertise and an ecosystem of support that draws in specialist firms from the rest for the UK and overseas. This rate of innovation and global market growth presents a huge opportunity for Lancashire’s engineers, designers and manufacturers.”

How can the county drive more manufacturing innovation?

In addition to her work for the East Lancashire Chamber, Miranda leads the RedCAT programme. RedCAT, Lancashire’s Centre for Alternative Technologies, provides government funded support for local manufacturers looking to commercialise innovative, disruptive and scalable low carbon technologies.

RedCAT can help companies innovate and seek advocacy support in any way for their low carbon solutions. This includes exploring venture capital or equity funding options.

Through a programme of networking events and masterclasses, RedCAT is also creating a peer-to-peer community of manufacturers drawn from across the region with a shared interest in net zero and low carbon technologies, products and services.

Another source of innovation-focused support for local manufacturers is the Made Smarter Technology adoption programme which delivers advice, support and funding to SME manufacturers who want to utilise more automated processes and digital tools.

Recent examples of Lancashire businesses who have benefitted from Made Smarter’s support include Crozier Campers and Logs Direct. Having engaged with Made Smarter, both firms have reported positive commercial impacts including significant productivity gains.

How can manufacturers wanting to innovate get started?

Another route for SMEs seeking innovation support and advice is working with the Advanced Manufacturing Centre North West (AMRC North West) in Samlesbury.

One of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s (AMRC)  network of world-leading research and innovation centres, and part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, AMRC North West’s goal is to increase innovation across Lancashire’s manufacturing base.

Iain Martin, AMRC North West’s Senior Engagement Manager, said of the innovation challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers: “Innovation is a much-debated term, often perceived differently from one person to the next. In essence, innovation can be defined as the introduction of new ideas, processes, technologies, or services, to benefit a business.”

Iain believes that developing an innovation culture in any manufacturing business is important and can generate many positive outcomes. It can however also come with challenges and pitfalls.

To help manufacturers just starting out on their innovation journey, Iain has shared with Innovate Lancashire some guiding principles he thinks could help manufacturers navigate some of the initial barriers they might encounter:

  • Pace yourself, and look for early wins

Often businesses try to make big changes too quickly.  If it goes wrong, they are then wary of trying again. To mitigate this, start with small achievable steps that generate benefits to your business quickly. This will help you build an innovation culture, as well as more innovation capability, within the company

  • Engage with your staff, and listen to them

Create a collaborative environment where all members of your team feel comfortable making suggestions about how to potentially develop the business. Some of the best innovations come from the least expected sources, so make sure you have a way to capture disruptive ideas and new thinking.

  • Broaden your horizons, and look outside your own sector 

Manufacturers can often be quite internally focussed.  Look and learn at what is happening in the wider world, both from within and from outside your specific industry. There is also a wealth of external support and guidance out there, much of it funded, which can help give you a different perspective on how you do business.

  • Communicate, communicate, communicate!

From employees to customers, suppliers to advisors, you want as many people as possible who have a stake in your business to buy into what you are doing. To do that, you have to tell them – and keep telling them – what you are doing, and why, as your innovation journey develops.

How else can manufacturers accelerate their innovation journey?

Working with a university has the potential to turbocharge manufacturing productivity and product development.

Edge Hill, Lancaster University, and the University of Central Lancashire all have support programmes which can help manufacturers take their business to the next level through the use of data analytics, rapid prototyping, automated systems, and more.

Martin Blunt, Head of Enterprise and Engagement at the University of Central Lancashire, which is home to the Engineering Innovation Centre, said:

“Innovation is all about having an idea and then acting on it. For manufacturers, this might mean reimagining processes, business models, or products, or finding ways to digitalise operations and meet changing customer needs. Even small changes can drive significant impact. The real challenge is stepping away from the day-to-day to reflect on what’s working and where improvements can be made.

 “Working with institutions such as the University of Central Lancashire could help be a game-changer, providing access to cutting-edge research, fresh perspectives, and expertise that can drive meaningful innovation.”

Martin has also highlighted some of the additional areas where partnering with a university can make a real difference. They include:

  • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) – which offer access to expertise and funding to drive innovation and business growth.
  • Degree Apprenticeships – investing in degree apprenticeships in fields such as engineering and digital technology can upskill your workforce. With government funding available, it’s a cost-effective way to develop in-house talent.
  • Specialist Support Programmes – manufacturers can take advantage of tailored support through initiatives like the Lancashire Universities’ Innovation Programme which are specifically designed to help businesses innovate and thrive.

What other support is out there?

There is a wealth of wider support available to any Lancashire firm wanting to grow through innovation, diversification or collaboration.

For example, Boost; Lancashire’s Growth Hub, has several schemes to support business growth. These include the Scale to Thrive and Flying Start programmes for younger businesses, while for more established companies they offer the Growth Catalyst initiative.

Boost further offers free advice and hosts an extensive range of networking events, workshops and masterclasses in all aspects of running a business. More details of all Boost’s provision can be found here.

In addition, the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub works with employers across the county – including many manufacturers – to help them upskill their workforce, recruit apprentices, and enhance their local talent pipeline. More on the Hub’s Workforce Development initiatives can be found here.

About National Manufacturing Day

On Thursday 26th September 2024, UK manufacturers will be opening their doors and inviting the public into factories and sites for a behind-the-scenes look at how they work. Local communities, schools and colleges will also have the chance to see the wide range of potential career pathways offered by the manufacturing sector.

Organised by Make UK, and now in its third year, National Manufacturing Day is also a chance to celebrate, showcase and champion the diversity of a truly fascinating sector, and highlight the amazing opportunities for reskilling and career development which  manufacturing can offer. Find out more at www.nationalmanufacturingday.org