INDUSTRY NEWS
EXPERT TEAM ASSEMBLED FOR MADE SMARTER SOUTH EAST; AND 200 COMPANIES ALREADY REGISTER FOR PROGRAMME
A specialist delivery team and regional steering group have been appointed to lead Made Smarter South East and support manufacturing and engineering SMEs to adopt cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The pioneering £1.55 million UK Government-
backed programme is being delivered by Surrey County Council in partnership with 11 local authorities and LEPs across the South East. It will provide expert advice, leadership and skills training, student placements, and match- funded technology grants of up to £20,000 to help improve productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. This will be led by an experienced team of industry professionals who will provide hands-on support to manufacturing and engineering SMEs across Berkshire, Brighton & Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Oxfordshire, Solent, Surrey, and West Sussex. Bryan Vint, programme manager, said: “More than 200 businesses have now registered for the programme, showing a clear appetite for the benefits that Made Smarter South East brings to manufacturers. We’ve assembled a team with deep expertise in technology, leadership, and workforce development to help businesses turn ambition into action – and ideas into impact.” Strategic oversight is provided by the Made
Smarter South East Steering Group, which includes leaders from industry, the public sector,
and the Department for Business and Trade. Cris Hiche, MGI Engineering, and deputy chair of the Steering Group, said: “I’m honoured to be part of the steering group. With our background in F1, MGI shares Made Smarter’s mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions and help businesses innovate.” Dr Louise Butt, Space South
Central, said: “The space sector in our region is vibrant and fast- growing, with SMEs driving innovation and economic impact. Through Made Smarter, we can accelerate adoption of robotics, immersive tech, data analytics, and AI – essential tools for global competitiveness and resilience.” Paul Jones, managing director of Morgan
Furniture, and chair of the Steering Group said: “The SME sector makes up over 99% of all UK businesses and plays a vital role in our economy. At Morgan Furniture, we’ve seen how digitalisation, automation, and data-led decisions improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness. With over 25 years in manufacturing, I’m delighted to join the steering group and contribute both strategic insight and hands-on experience to support this vital mission.”
Jim Davison, national membership director at SolutionsPT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS
SolutionsPT, AVEVA Select Partner UK & Ireland, is celebrating 40 years in business with a year of activity including new in-person Innovation Labs delivered free of charge to help customers ‘Upgrade to Innovate’. Susan Roche, general manager at Solutions PT, said: “We’re in a time of rapid change – and it’s SolutionsPT’s job to help industrial companies anticipate and react by providing them with flexible and evolving digital technologies so that they can continue to thrive. With this approach over 40 years, SolutionsPT has become a key player in the UK’s industrial automation sector, growing our customer base to more than 1,000 organisations and 700 active support contracts.” SolutionsPT software solutions are designed so that customers can meet their operational goals
with flexibility. Today, SolutionsPT is driving excellence in operational and systems management, OT Cyber security and customer consultancy support. With a commitment to its original core offerings remaining steadfast, the company now also offers a large portfolio of IT and OT training courses, consultancy and industry leading conferences, supporting industrial innovation and cyber security. Today, SolutionsPT continues to provide customer support that will ensure digital transformation
can be successfully applied by every industrial enterprise. The company’s 40th year is packed with valuable industry events including an expansion to its annual Cyber SecureOT conference, now with twin events: one in the UK on 17 June 2025 and one in Ireland on 26 June 2025.
www.solutionspt.com SUBCONTRACT MARKET BOUNCES BACK IN 2025
The subcontract market bounced back in the first quarter of 2025 – up almost 50% on the final quarter of 2024. January was particularly strong, at 200% higher December. Over the course of the first three months
of the year the market dropped back. Nevertheless, the market at the end of March was still higher than the average for the final quarter of last year. There is still room for improvement though as the market is still 22%
6 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MAY 2025
down compared to the same period in 2024. Qimtek owner, Karl Wigart, said: “We saw
a lot of activity from buyers and suppliers in January and February but a steep drop-off in March, which is usually a busy month. It remains to be seen what effects President Trump’s tariff flip-flops will have on business confidence in the next few months.”
www.qimtek.co.uk
Make UK, said: “Make UK has long championed the national roll-out of Made Smarter because we’ve seen firsthand how digital adoption can supercharge productivity, boost competitiveness, and create high-value jobs. By bringing our voice and insight to the table, Make UK will help ensure that manufacturers across the South East can unlock the full potential of digital transformation. This partnership will be instrumental in supporting the sector’s growth and resilience for years to come.” Also joining the group are key
representatives from regional government and business support agencies. Registration is now open via:
bit.ly/MadeSmarterSouthEast
FOR AP RACING 700TH WIN
High-performance brake and clutch system manufacturer, AP Racing, is continuing to dominate the world of elite motorsport. As Ash Sutton claimed victory at the first race of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season, AP Racing celebrated its 700th race win in the sport. The victory coincides with the manufacturer’s
16th consecutive year as the sole supplier of brakes and clutches to the BTCC grid. Having been part of TOCA since 2010, AP Racing is proud to supply components to all 24 cars. From elite calipers to precision clutches, brake discs, pads, pedal boxes and air jacks, the company’s technology is helping BTCC drivers to reach the highest levels of race performance. David Hamblin, managing director of AP Racing, said: “Celebrating our 700th win in the championship is testament to the trust placed on us to help drivers race harder and faster.”
www.apracing.com
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