Digital Innovation Fund Awardees
The Digital Innovation Fund assists UK SMEs by offering accessible solutions, processes, and services to boost efficiency and productivity without disrupting business operations or incurring high costs.
Explore the Bio's of our DIF Awardees' and find out more about them and how they could support your manufacturing business.
Devtank Ltd
Devtank Ltd are award-winning specialists in test and measurement based in Mickleover, Derby. The company was founded in 2014. We supply high-quality solutions to manufacturing businesses across many sectors including; sustainable energy, electric vehicle, space, telecoms, and aerospace. We have an ever-expanding team of highly skilled individuals bringing game-changing disruptive open-source solutions to businesses.
OpenSmartMonitor is our brand of environmental and energy monitoring IoT devices. Created to aid businesses with their energy costs and help reach net-zero. OpenSmartMonitor aims to solve problems including high energy and running costs, unsustainable/dirty workplaces, and enhance productivity, through the use of open source multi parameter sensors.
Our HILTOP and partner range of fixtures are designed to offer businesses in-house production testing capability or bespoke test, measurement and control solutions. HILTOP provides industrial test solutions, testing goods on production lines from motherboards and PCBs, to end products like EV chargers and fuel cells.
Flowlens Ltd
Flowlens is cloud MRP software that helps equipment, device and machinery SMEs get paid faster. If you need to take control of everything from orders, to stock, to production and after-sales service, Flowlens is designed for you. Managing multi-level Bills of Materials can be time-consuming and error prone, Flowlens has tools to help you track component levels, issue POs across your BoMs. Plus you can create full or partial BoMs and issue tasks to the shopfloor and track progress.
We'll also help you with training and deployment so you can get the benefits faster!
Are you ready to see how your business measures up against peers and take a giant leap towards digitalisation?
Flowlens invites you to be part of an exclusive group benefiting from Made Smarter’s ‘Smart Manufacturing Data Hub’ initiative and funding from the Digital Innovation Fund.
For a free trial please visit flowlens.com
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC)
The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) at Queen’s University Belfast is a £100m project under the Belfast Region City Deal.
AMIC provides a collaborative, innovative and open access environment to address future manufacturing and product design challenges with our industrial partners.
With core capabilities in digitalising manufacturing, smart design, sustainable composites & polymers, and smart nanotech, AMIC drives industrial transformation, and the adoption of technologies for a sustainable future.
AMIC builds on over 50 years of sustained industrial support through the Northern Ireland Technology Centre (NITC), the Polymers Processing Research Centre (PPRC) and NI Advanced Composites and Engineering (NIACE).
AMIC will also extend QUB’s world leading research capability in smart design and nanotech and photonics.
AMIC undertakes a wide variety of projects from specialised testing and consultancy through to multi-year collaborative research and development projects.
AMIC’s is adding to existing capability with a new 10,500m2 ‘Factory of the Future’ that will open in early 2026.
Photocentric
Photocentric is an innovative manufacturer of 3D printing technology that was formed in 2002 in Peterborough. Originally making a patented method of making clear polymer stamps.
Photocentric entered 3D printing in 2014 with the invention of the LCD driven printer. This has become widely sold and a disruptive influence reducing the price of 3D printing.
Photocentric invests heavily in research and has recently developed the world’s largest LCD printer, Titan. Photocentric’s next product is Jeni, autonomous digital mass manufacturing process, and is the first genuine alternative to moulding, rapidly creating usable parts in volume at low cost.
Photocentric is vertically integrated, manufacturing 3D printers, 3D printing resins and using that technology to print millions of 3D printed parts.
Valuechain
Kinsetsu
Output Industries Ltd
Output Industries Limited is a UK-based manufacturing software company that serves manufacturing SMEs across the UK and beyond. Our flagship SaaS product is Busroot, the complete performance monitoring and production tracking service for manufacturers. Busroot is a hardware, installation, and hosting-included service that gives unrivalled insights into shop floor operations. Production, downtime, asset utilisation, cycle time performance and energy consumption are all tracked by our state-of-the-art Industry4.0 platform. These fundamental data points are combined to give unprecedented insight into the processes determining ultimate manufacturing performance.
We are excited to share that we have received the DIF Lighthouse Funding Award from The
Smart Manufacturing Data Hub. This award is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in the UK manufacturing industry. The Smart Manufacturing Data Hub’s Digital Innovation Fund has recognised our efforts, and we are proud to have been selected for this prestigious funding.
We welcome any UK manufacturing organisation to contact us to explore how to connect 5 stations to Busroot for free across 2024. Register your interest here - https://www.output.industries/smdh-lighthouse
Total Control Pro Ltd
Total Control Pro Limited is a provider of AI-ready manufacturing technology solutions, empowering SMEs to excel in the digital manufacturing age. Through DynamxMFG®, the company is bringing clarity to manufacturing processes, enhancing efficiency, and promoting sustainable development. DynamxMFG® is a cloud-based, subscription platform that delivers comprehensive control over production facilities with real-time operational visibility and analytics across the enterprise. It facilitates smart work planning, efficient shop-floor data capture, precise manufacturing execution, streamlined process control, inventory management, and real-time performance reporting, ensuring optimal resource deployment. The right resources, at the right place, at the right time, doing the right task, against the right job.
With the SMDH Lighthouse we can support SMEs in their digital transition journey, offering a risk-mitigated pathway to growth with the SMDH-funded proposition.
To find out more visit Total Control Pro
Mallaghan
FSL
FSL Electronics, based in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, design and manufacture Wireless Remote Controls, Industrial Displays & Custom Electronic Solutions.
The company, established in 1988, originally served local manufacturing & engineering companies in the Mid-Ulster area with innovative Wireless Controls for their equipment and machinery designed for the Material Handling Industry. It was the ever-growing export of machinery from N. Ireland, which laid the foundations for the company to develop into a market leader, today supplying a wide range of electronic products & solutions to various Industries around the world.
Key to FSL’s success is our ability to Innovate. As winners of several awards for research and development, FSL are constantly striving to bring the latest technology to our customers and the industries they operate in. All our products are designed with a clear objective in mind, to improve safety, productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
Productive Machines
Vyne Analytics
Measuring capability maturity in manufacturing SMEs has traditionally been highly subjective, resulting in chaotic digital transformation projects, biased risk profiles, inflated valuations and
misleading communication. Our capability analytics replace subjectivity with unbiased data-driven capability insights that precisely identify technology-capability gaps, independently assess risk exposure, uncover real intrinsic value and enhance strategic stakeholder communications.
Our scientifically proven audit methodology delivers transparent, reliable, and robust analysis and transformation roadmaps, uncovering unknown risks, reducing uncertainties and strengthening your decision-making.
Learn more about our capability analytics and auditing solutions and request a free consultation here.
BiologIC Technologies
BiologIC is the biocomputer company. Our mission is to democratise the ability to process biology into therapies through powerful integration technology.
Our new category of intelligent bioprocessing machines integrate complete workflows and are versatile yet affordable. Underpinned by granted patents and extensive knowhow, the machines integrate fluidic processing chips designed like computer chips, which means the machine can be very powerful yet simple and interactive to use. It allows the sophisticated manipulation of biology, such as cells and DNA, so that scientists can much more quickly solve complicated “what if?” questions that help them make better, more consistent and more scalable products. We are trusted by world leading customers to accelerate their R&D, process development and manufacturing in order to optimise yields, process control and scalability.
Booth Welsh Automation Ltd
Booth Welsh, established in 1989, is an engineering technology business with expertise across, Nuclear, Food & Beverage, Renewables, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences. The company develops solutions in multi-discipline engineering, aiding clients in optimising operations. Through Environment 4.0, Booth Welsh deploys digital technology to enhance business efficiencies, environmental performance, and waste reduction. Committed to sustainability, the company aims for Net Zero by 2030, aligning its services to assist clients and supply chains in achieving this goal.
Booth Welsh is host to the new Digital Processes Manufacturing Centre (DPMC), an NMIS Specialist Centre, which aims to accelerate the adoption of digital technology within manufacturing industries, to help transform skills, productivity, innovation, and cut energy costs to achieve Net Zero targets. With three decades of experience in measurement and control, the company has developed a cost-effective Energy Monitoring Dashboarding tool. Collaborating with NMIS, Booth Welsh engineered the project for the Digital Factory, setting a benchmark in sustainable technology.
Fibrax Ltd
Fibrax Group of Companies specialise in the design, development, and manufacture of high-quality injection moulded components and assemblies.
Highly experienced in the manufacture of wiring harness components for automotive vehicles, Fibrax are a key partner in the supply chain for vehicle electrification. Fibrax have localised production capabilities in the UK, Poland and Morocco, supplying automotive OEMs, and Tier 1 manufacturers across Europe and Northern Africa. With extensive experience in elastomers, polymers, and thermoplastic elastomers, Fibrax are widely considered an expert in both automotive and industrial sealing solutions. Having operated extensively in the automotive industry, Fibrax is subject to stringent quality management requirements and hold their superior service as a core value, as such Fibrax is accredited with IATF 16949:2016 Automotive Quality Management Systems, ISO9001:2015 Quality Management Systems and ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems.
Non Standard Socket Screw Ltd
NSSS, a leading SME in Birmingham, excels in manufacturing and wholesaling socket screws and special fasteners across a variety of materials. We maintain stringent adherence to engineering standards and custom specifications in our production.
Our robust UK-wide distribution network guarantees same-day dispatch for next-day delivery, serving a global customer base across five continents with efficiency and precision. Our dedication to continuous improvement is demonstrated through significant advancements in productivity, optimizing cost accuracy, reducing machinery downtime, raw material wastage, and enhancing staff efficiency.
Embracing operational excellence, NSSS is delighted to partner with SMDH on a data project aimed at boosting our manufacturing data analytics, further refining our decision-making and operational prowess.
Edge Innovate
EDGE Innovate is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of advanced material handling and recycling equipment. The award winning company operates in over 70 different countries, offering solutions for port handling, quarrying, and waste management industries. Known for innovative and reliable technology, EDGE Innovate helps clients optimize operational processes and improve sustainability.
To maintain its competitive advantage, EDGE Innovates DIF Rapid Demonstrator aims to address the cumbersome process of calculating weekly manufacturing efficiency levels by implementing efficient data collection and analysis methods. This will provide timely insights for prioritizing improvements and establish benchmarks and key performance indicators (KPIs) for ongoing assessment.
The Rapid Demonstrator will also enable EDGE Innovate to monitor factory process costs and machine power consumption, reducing operating costs and fostering a more efficient supply chain. By sharing insights with UK manufacturers, EDGE Innovate seeks to drive industry-wide improvements and collaboration.
Track Conveyors · Waste Shredders · Trommels · Scalping Screens (edgeinnovate.com)
Norscot
Norscot is, a manufacturer of structural timber frame kits and fenestration systems since 1984.
Over the next 6 months, the project’s main objective is to automate and create smart inventory management, gain a comprehensive understanding and minimise material wastage, produce informed decision-making, and improve the efficiency of manufacturing processes. Additionally, we aim to incorporate the lifecycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of the optimised designs, ensuring sustainability and compliance with environmental standards, ultimately reducing carbon footprint.
Through this project, they are contributing to the collective knowledge and best practices within the UK manufacturing community. Furthermore, the project supports Norscot on its digitisation journey by providing innovative, data-driven solutions that are cost-effective and scalable, thereby enhancing competitiveness and promoting growth in the manufacturing sector.
This project innovates offsite construction by integrating machine learning and multimodal AI to enhance inventory management and reduce material wastage.
Natural Building Systems
By partnering with industry leaders such as ArcFlow, KOPE, GS1, and the DIGIT Lab at the University of Exeter, NBS will showcase the tangible benefits of these innovations for SMEs in the construction sector. This collaboration highlights the critical role of integrated construction solutions like the ADEPT system, which provides flexibility and reusability, key components for achieving large-scale circularity in construction as systems ensure materials are kept in use for longer, reducing waste and the need for new resources.
Impression Technologies Ltd
Peer Carbon
PeerCo is a digital carbon asset manager. PeerCo is making it more affordable and valuable for businesses to reduce their carbon emissions by enabling its customers to digitally prove that they are reducing carbon emissions through their hourly electricity data. With PeerCo customers earn Digital Carbon Assets (DCA) every hour for the carbon they are saving. PeerCo digitally calculates and verifies the carbon savings and checks for signs of fraud.
Through its SaaS platform and customers’ electricity data, PeerCo generates a DCA, which customers can use to report (PCAF/CBAM)/retire their carbon savings, bank for future use or sell as either a MWh of renewable electricity or a tonne of carbon saved depending upon the underlying technologies. PeerCo’s customers will all have the data trail needed to prove their carbon savings.
SFM Engineering
SFM Engineering are a Steel Fabrication and Manufacturing Company supplying their services predominantly to the Materials Processing Industry. We are committed to providing a first class service to our customers that produces a high quality product at a competitive price, is always delivered on time in a safe working environment. Through continuous improvement and investment in the latest technology and training we are able to stay at the forefront and deliver this service to our customers. We are committed on our journey to Industry 4.0.
Our team at SFM Engineering aim to provide practical solutions at all stages of planning and manufacturing to ensure that the customer is always fully satisfied. SFM Engineering are an established family business founded in 2006 and, with a healthy combination of youth and experience, have the drive, commitment and knowledge to provide for all your engineering requirements.
Scanmatix
Scanmatix is a Northern Irish tech leader with over 80 years of collective experience in digitally enabling and transforming inventory management. Our award-winning software solutions and consultancy services are helping redefine industries, alongside our cutting-edge mobile data capture application.
Complementing existing ERP/MRP and Accounts packages, we seamlessly integrate into the supply chain, offering real-time visibility and full traceability, optimising stock processes and ensuring every aspect of your operations operates intelligently and efficiently.
We help you embrace innovation and adopt best practices for success in today's digital landscape. Experience the future of stock management with Scanmatix—where excellence is not just a goal, it's our standard.
AIE UK
Advanced Innovative Engineering (UK) Limited specialises in Wankel-type rotary engines for the aerospace sector. Rotary engines are known for their compactness and high power-to-weight ratios, which are essential for applications demanding efficiency and reliability.
AIE's DIF Rapid Demonstrator Project "CRIOS" aims to revolutionise AIE's rotary engine manufacturing by shifting to a dynamic, flexible flow line using collaborative robots (Cobots) and advanced optical sensors.
This change will enhance the production process's adaptability, efficiency, and customisation ability. Aiming to deliver data-driven excellence, CRIOS will employ AIE's in-house developed Hexsolve system to capture and analyse critical data points during assembly, ensuring compliance with strict quality standards and providing continuous improvement and customer assurance. AIE's goal is to set new benchmarks in production efficiency and customisation by integrating Cobots and optical systems to reinforce AIE's position as a leader in rotary engine innovation and to improve customer visibility and satisfaction.
www.aieuk.com
RDD Creative
As a small trade manufacturer creating retail POS displays for high street and luxury brands, RDD has grown steadily over the past 11 years.
We produce items in plastics, wood, and other materials with inhouse printing (3D and large format), assembly, and finishing.
We work exclusively with agencies never direct to brand which exerts pressure on profit margins and timescales for project delivery.
With low margins and unpredictable workflow, better data management would help us find efficiencies, plan effectively, and ultimately grow the business through smarter resource use.
The DIF Rapid Demonstrator Award will support a programme of improvements in our business to improve our energy monitoring and efficiency, and to implement a digital transformation project to create joined up systems with real time production data informing business decisions.
https://www.rdd-creative.co.uk/
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