Handrail Creations joins Made Smarter programme

The business-led programme aims to use digital technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), the industrial internet of things (IIoT), 3D printing and robotics to boost profitability and competitive edge.

“The Made Smarter Programme is enabling manufacturers across the north-west to access advanced digital technologies with the aim of driving growth and increasing productivity while reducing costs – all part of our ambition to make the UK a global leader in shaping how the modern world does business,” said Nadhim Zahawi, minister for business and industry.

“The 11 new companies announced today will not only reap the benefits themselves, the investment will support a multi-million-pound boost to the local economy, keeping the region at the forefront of the latest innovations. They join 24 businesses who have received project funding to date, and I would urge others to follow in their footsteps.”

For these 11 businesses alone, the Made Smarter business support programme could deliver an additional £13m in gross value added (GVA) for the north-west economy over the next three years.

Handrail Creations’ managing director Kenny Macfarlane said adopting state-of-the-art systems and software is an important step for the business.

“Joinery is no longer an old-fashioned trade – using state-of-the-art 3D scanning systems and software is crucial to building our company for the future,” he said. “Being able to capture and process the 3D data we need using this new digital technology will speed up our process from survey to manufacture by up to 20%.

“It will increase our efficiency, but more importantly it will reduce the chance of error, ensuring that our bespoke products are right first time.

“Looking to the future, it will undoubtedly give us scope to diversify into other products and services.”