News: Rotherham manufacturers urged to move fast to access Made Smarter grants

SME manufacturers across Yorkshire are being urged to tap into £325,000 of funding to boost productivity and accelerate their digital transformation.

Made Smarter, the government-backed digital adoption programme, is offering Capital Expenditure (CapEx) grants that can fund up to 50% of project costs, up to £20,000, for investment in new technology such as automation, robotics, AI, 3D printing and data-driven tools.

However, companies have been warned to act fast, with the funding window closing at the end of March.

The call comes as Made Smarter hits a major regional milestone, its 100th project application, demonstrating that manufacturers are rapidly investing in digital technologies to stay competitive and grow. The programme has now handed out £1.4m in CapEx grants, unlocking a further £2.4m in private investment for a £3.8m tech boost across the region.

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Jessica Armitage, Programme Manager for Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber, said: “This milestone shows how quickly manufacturers across Yorkshire are moving to adopt technologies that improve productivity, cut waste and open up new opportunities. The momentum is building.

“But any business that waits another year risks losing ground. The funding is here now, and so is the support. With £325,000 still available until the end of March, we want SMEs to act now, seize this moment and make 2026 the year they unlock the full potential of digital technology to increase productivity, create growth and jobs, and build a more resilient and sustainable future.”

To access Made Smarter support, manufacturers start by registering their interest and speaking with a specialist adviser about their business and growth plans. A digital expert then works with the company to assess its operations and create a clear roadmap, identifying where technology and skills can add value. From there, businesses can access tailored support, including specialist advice, leadership and skills programmes, digital internships, and matched funding through a CapEx grant to invest in new technology.

Since launching in 2021, Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber has engaged with almost 1,200 manufacturers, created nearly 700 digital roadmaps, and provided technical project support to more than 250 businesses. Close to 150 companies have taken part in leadership and skills programmes.

Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Ltd. (AML), based in Rotherham, is an advanced manufacturing supplier across aerospace, defence, energy and nuclear. It has upgraded its data and systems infrastructure and cybersecurity, enhancing its resilience and supporting growth and job creation.

Dr Gareth Morgan, Managing Director at AML, said: “The team at AML wholeheartedly endorses the Made Smarter programme and would actively encourage any organisation looking to leverage support and potentially funding to develop capability in any area of the business.”

Made Smarter website

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News: MetLase pioneers "digital benches"

MetLase, one of the UK’s leading specialists in smart tooling and fixturing is launching two new products this week that will help manufacturers improve productivity, reduce assembly time, and harvest critical data.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the joint venture between Unipart and Rolls-Royce will showcase its Component Assembly Bench and Repair Bench at this year’s Smart Factory Expo, taking place in Birmingham (June 7-8) as part of Manufacturing and Engineering Week.

Metlase, which has increased the digital team headcount by 50% in the last year, will have both products on display at Stand L108, with a host of technical experts on hand to talk visitors through the importance of switching to smart tooling to speed up time to market and streamline production cells.

It marks an exciting period for the business that has already sold a suite of five repair benches to optimise its electrical testing for a blue-chip rail specialist. The Repair Bench includes a digital hand tool that optimises and digitises physical data gathering to boost productivity by 40%, whilst also eliminating errors and providing a full digital quality audit trail.

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“Demand for automation, precision, and efficiency in manufacturing processes is growing across a vast array of industries and that’s really fuelling our growth,” explained Mat Marsh, Managing Director of MetLase.

“Our proposition leverages the benefits of a digital technology platform with our specialist manufacturing expertise and experience, giving many existing and potential customers access to ‘smart digital’ features that deliver immediate tangible benefits.”

He continued: “Smart Factory Expo will be the first time we will bring our Component Assembly Bench and Repair Bench to a major industrial event. These automated solutions have previously not been possible and our focus on real-time inspection of manual processes can provide unprecedented levels of productivity.

“We will also be showcasing how our fixturing/tooling can be further enhanced by incorporating MetElements into the overall solution.

“This proven MetLase digital platform has been created so that it can integrate almost any type of sensor or digital device into bespoke fixtures and products, accelerating speed to market and securing a level of performance not achieved by other alternative joining techniques.”

The Repair Bench for testing electrical components has been developed in partnership with industry and aims to enhance electrical testing, increasing productivity and delivering higher-quality components.

MetLase engineers have been working on the innovation for over a year and expect it to boost reliability, reduce downtime and, importantly, improve safety for users in the UK. This product will be joined on the stand at Smart Factory Expo by the Component Assembly Bench.

It incorporates advanced features, including precision measurement tools, integrated sensors and data management, the latter providing real-time data insights that optimise workflow and can help reduce waste.

Mat concluded: “A lot of companies are offering digital manufacturing, but few can bring solutions to market that have been distilled from significant experience of working with OEMs and Tier 1 companies.

“Incorporating MetElements into fixturing/tooling means clients can enjoy the best of both worlds – industry-leading engineering in a customisable digital platform that gives you greater control, greater insight and greater performance.”

MetLase website

Images: MetLase

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News: Rotherham youngsters in focus as part of Creative Careers Programme

A programme to help young people from underrepresented backgrounds break into the creative industries is to run in Rotherham, backed by £950,000 in Government funding.

To develop the next generation of talent, the Government has chosen ScreenSkills, the screen industry’s skills body, to lead the delivery of a Creative Careers Programme, targeted in 53 priority areas across the country including Rotherham.

The creative industries are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy. The programme will provide specialist guidance to 11 to 18-year-olds on careers and help pay for industry-led digital and in-person events, lesson plans, a dedicated careers website with careers information and resources, and training for careers advisors. This will help ensure more young people from a diverse range of backgrounds can take advantage of the fantastic careers opportunities in these sectors.

The previous Creative Careers Programme was devised by ScreenSkills, Creative & Cultural Skills and the Creative Industries Federation. It is an industry-designed and led initiative to raise awareness of opportunities for work across the creative economy. It was a commitment made by government and industry, made through the Creative Industries Sector Deal with support from the Creative Industries Council and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

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The Creative Careers Programme aims to ensure that there is a larger and more diverse intake of young people into the sector. It will respond to serious skills gaps and help to cultivate a workforce that is fit for the future.

Skills shortages and risks to the talent pipeline are some of the most urgent challenges facing the creative industries. There is a lack of awareness among young people and those who influence them about opportunities for work within the creative economy and how to pursue them, which has limited the talent and diversity of those entering the sector.

The programme will mobilise employers, addressing serious market failures which have resulted in too few young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, considering creative careers or being able to find entry routes into the sector.

Film and high-end television production in the UK could be worth £7.66 billion – up from £5.64 billion – by 2025 and require nearly 21,000 more crew under detailed analysis published earlier this year.

Seetha Kumar, CEO ScreenSkills, said: “The data in this report will help us all plan sensibly to ensure the UK has the skilled and inclusive workforce needed to capitalise on the potential for further growth. The film and television industry is one of the UK’s great success stories and we need to work together to keep it that way. Growing the workforce will help ensure the country fully benefits from the projected growth in production expenditure.”

ScreenSkills website

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News: MyRotherham digital platform showcases the very best of Rotherham

An exciting new digital platform has been created to showcase all the great things taking place across Rotherham.

The information hub at www.MyRotherham.co.uk aims to change the perception of the borough by promoting the positives and celebrating the biggest events and happenings whilst also focusing on communities, local businesses and more importantly, local people.

It has been created by the AMBITION Rotherham Place Board, the body that leads on initiatives to promote and market the borough regionally, nationally and internationally on behalf of The Rotherham Together Partnership.

Martin Havenhand, Chair of AMBITION Rotherham and also Chair of Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said: "Rotherham is a borough that has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons in recent years  but most residents know that there are plenty of positive people, initiatives, destinations and communities, around the towns and villages that deserve an opportunity to help tell the story about what Rotherham is really like. The idea for the platform stems from this and a collective recognition that Rotherham folk don't tend to shout enough about the good things that happen across the borough and about its great assets, including the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Clifton Park,  Grimm and Co., Gulliver’s Valley, Magna, New York Stadium, Rother Valley  and Wentworth Woodhouse.

"MyRotherham has the potential to be a really powerful platform, bringing together everything from useful information to unearthing local gems, which should keep us all up to date and proud about what is happening in our borough.

"We have seen so much good will in these difficult times as the town's businesses, civic authorities and local communities rally together during this pandemic and we want MyRotherham to complement this excellent work."

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MyRotherham already has the support of a number of the town's ambassadors including Rotherham's Mayor Cllr Jenny Andrews and local football legend John Breckin, who will be contributing to the content, along with Dame Julie Kenny and Julie Dalton, both members of AMBITION Rotherham.

Dame Julie said: "Being positive and celebrating our people, assets and businesses will undoubtedly give confidence to future investors here, and we want to make sure that when the UK is open for business again that our town returns to its status as one of the regions fastest growing economies. MyRotherham has been a team effort with support from a number of Rotherham Pioneers, including Tom Austen, Founder of Rothbiz, and I would like to thank Jackie Freeborn, Custodian of The Rotherham Story and Pioneers in galvanising their support."

Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, said: "I am proud that Gulliver's is helping celebrate and promote Rotherham. I am amazed and impressed by the energy, enthusiasm, optimism and partnership working here. We are inviting content partners to come forward for MyRotherham and also encouraging people to sign up to receive regular updates - positivity boosts!"

Residents can keep up to date by logging on to the website and signing up for email updates, or by following MyRotherham on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The site is also developing a 52 week rolling calendar of events and subscribers will be offered first access to a proposed loyalty/discount scheme when social distancing guidelines permit the re-opening of business.

Plans are also underway for a number of additional initiatives to shine the light on the great place that Rotherham is for investors, visitors and residents. This includes the development of two further platforms to encourage people to visit the towns great assets complimented with a local rewards/discount scheme which AMBITION Rotherham hope will help kickstart the local economy once social distancing guidelines permit.

MyRotherham website

Images: Gulliver's

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News: Rotherham to get 5G this year

Communications company, Three UK, has confirmed that it will be bringing the UK's fastest 5G network to Rotherham as one of the first locations this year.

5G is a term used to describe the fifth generation of mobile communications technologies. It is not yet fully developed but it is set to be a wireless connectivity solution that will enable thousands of users to get online, all at once, and all benefit from ultrafast speeds. It is the closeness of the transmitters, unlike 4G where they are far apart, that will create an "always on" connectivity.

The borough was an early beneficiary of 4G when it was switched on by EE in 2013.

Three has now confirmed that after launching 5G in August with a 5G home broadband service in London, it will then launch both mobile and home broadband offerings in 25 towns and cities across the UK before the end of the year - including Sheffield and Rotherham.

Part of the CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd group of companies, Three UK said that it has more than twice as much 5G spectrum as its closest competitor, which will deliver significantly faster speeds for its customers. It has committed to a £2bn 5G infrastructure investment.

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At launch, peak mobile speeds are set to be at least two times faster than other mobile network operators and will provide a more reliable connection and experience for customers. 5G is likely to be tens of times faster than 4G.

The "plug and play" 5G service from Three for the home is set to offer comparable speeds to fibre without lengthy engineer wait times or a long-term contract.

Dave Dyson, CEO at Three, said: "It's clear that consumers and businesses want more and more data. We have the UK's best network for data and we have led the market on customer usage on both 3G and 4G technologies. We have worked hard over a long period of time to be able to offer the best end to end 5G experience.

"5G is a game changer for Three, and of course I am excited that we will be the only operator in the UK who can offer true 5G."

Last year, the Sheffield city region missed out in a bid to secure millions from the Government's Urban Connected Communities Project for the development of a large-scale, citywide testbed for wireless 5G infrastructure.

Three UK website

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News: Enterprising Rotherham-based videographer on a roll

A Rotherham-based videographer is setting his sights on a record-breaking first year after his business was given an unexpected boost by one of the best-known names in the rock industry.

Stuart Turner launched LensGo in the spring after deciding to turn down the chance to build a lucrative career working for a large media agency in favour of using his skills to support South Yorkshire's business community, with the long-term aim of creating new skilled jobs within Rotherham's growing creative industries sector.

Just a week after opening the doors of his new business, Stuart's services were snapped up by Def Leppard who commissioned his business to capture a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall, organised to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Working closely with business advisor Julia Millea from the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Launchpad programme, Stuart began formulating his business ideas and putting his plans into practice. At the same time, Stuart attended workshops exploring how to market his business, as well as learning how he could harness new business opportunities through social media.

With the help and support Stuart received from the Launchpad programme he has successfully secured work with a growing number of businesses throughout the UK, as well as supporting a number of organisations in the SCR including, Sheffield City Council, Rotherham United Community Trust, Gulliver's, Rotherham Hospice, the Doncaster Knights and has even worked with actor Brian Blessed.

Stuart was also on hand to capture Def Leppard's latest homecoming gig at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield this past week.

Having spent more than a decade working as a professional videographer, Stuart is no stranger to capturing life through a lens, and after building a workforce of camera operators, editors and designers and securing new contracts throughout the UK, LensGo was named as one of South Yorkshire's most promising new business start-ups at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Business Awards.

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Stuart Turner, Founder of LensGo (pictured), said: "Video is fast becoming one of the best tools to help businesses engage with their customers and audiences and I felt there was a clear gap in the market for our services. I was keen to base my business in Rotherham to help create new skilled jobs within the creative industries sector and since launching the business we've successfully built a local, regional and national client base, resulting in new jobs being created within the local economy.

"Having spent most of my career working as a professional videographer, I knew my industry well and working with the Launchpad programme helped to give my business direction – I was conscious that when it comes to video there's quite a large market for the services but I didn't want to be all things to all people.

"The workshops provided an invaluable opportunity to learn the latest business tools and techniques whilst the one-to-one sessions enabled me to focus on developing my business model and strategy. Since completing the training, I've put the lessons into practice, helping me to attract new clients as well as developing the company's social media profile."

Julia Millea, business advisor at SCR Launchpad, added: "Stuart has come a very long way in a short space of time. Working as a freelancer for a number of years, Stuart benefitted from an insight into what is needed to run a business, but there can be very different challenges associated with running your own company.

"A key element of the Launchpad programme is encouraging entrepreneurs to understand the importance of business planning, enabling the business to grow and develop. Stuart has gained a lot from the workshops and one-to-one planning sessions and although he is perhaps more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it, gaining recognition as a finalist at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Business Awards is a well-deserved reward for his efforts over the past few months."

LensGo website
SCR Launchpad website

Images: Launchpad

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News: Rotherham hosting digital growth conference

A digital showcase event is taking place in Rotherham next week that will provide practical tips and news on the latest digital developments, to help local businesses lead the way.

The local growth programme from Superfast South Yorkshire is ensuring that the event at the AMP Technology Centre on December 18 is free to attend. Expert consultants will bring businesses up to speed on the latest digital developments, including search engine optimisation (SEO), data segmentation, and social media management.

The event, which runs from 8am to 3pm, is part of a programme being delivered by East Midlands Chamber that features a number of workshops and awareness-raising seminars to help South Yorkshire businesses maximise uptake of new and developing digital technologies.

Superfast South Yorkshire is the partnership between the authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and BT, which secured millions to ensure South Yorkshire will have access to superfast broadband. Programmes are supported by the European Development Fund (ERDF).

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On the day, consultant Ian Lockwood, will discuss the latest updates to Google's algorithm, how changes to the presentation of search results could affect businesses, all the new AdWords and Bing Ads features recently released and the latest industry data and test results demonstrating what really works in the worlds of search engine optimisation and pay-per-click marketing.

Lee Callender is set to explain how to get the most value out of the information businesses hold to help to connect with customers in a way that means something to them, and ultimately boosts bottom line and reputation.

Paul Ince (pictured) will look at what's new in social to help attendees understand what channels are right – or wrong – for their business, and what your message should look like for the best results.

A spokesperson for Superfast South Yorkshire, said: "Our experts will take you through some of our hottest topics, and there will also be great networking opportunities with other local businesses looking to get ahead in the digital world."

The event is open to all SMEs based in South Yorkshire and to register a place on the event attendees will need to complete the SME enrolment process for the digital growth programme.

Event website

Images: Digital Growth Programme

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News: £6m subsidy for Superfast Broadband phase 2

A £6m contract is on offer to further extend Superfast Broadband across South Yorkshire in order to make fibre broadband available to as close to 100% coverage as technically possible.

Rothbiz reported in June on plans that were being developed for the "white areas" of South Yorkshire that struggle to receive decent broadband speeds.

Superfast South Yorkshire is a partnership between the authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and BT, which secured £22m to ensure 97.9% of South Yorkshire had access to superfast broadband by the end of 2017. Securing additional funding, plans are in place to reach 98.7% by 2018.

The project is part of the Government's BDUK initiative which is based on a gap funded subsidy approach, where the private sector invests alongside a public subsidy to provide broadband to areas where there is not otherwise a viable commercial market.

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In December, the Government confirmed that universal high speed broadband will be delivered by a regulatory Universal Service Obligation (USO), giving everyone in the UK access to speeds of at least 10 Mbps by 2020. BT had previously offered to deliver universal broadband through a voluntary agreement but this is not being pursued in favour of providing a "legal right" to broadband.

The Chancellor announced at the Autumn Budget that local bodies could start applying for funding from the Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) Challenge Fund. The aim of the fund is to help locally led projects across the UK leverage local and commercial investment in full fibre.

South Yorkshire is already targeting the estimated 30,000 premises in South Yorkshire that will be without broadband up to 30 Mbps when phase 1 of the Superfast South Yorkshire project is completed.

The latest tender again shows a gap funding approach as the partners look to procure a wholesale broadband network solution that retail service providers can use to provide business consumers, residential consumers, and public sector organisations with a range of broadband services for the term.

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A new intervention area is being confirmed and the tender document states that the key aims are "to deliver business growth and new jobs, deliver a range of social benefits across its rural and urban communities and support delivery of public services through digital channels."

Successful bidders are expected to provide substantial investment into the broadband network and must declare what investment it is prepared to make before the subsidy is applied.

Rothbiz reported in December that the four South Yorkshire councils and the Sheffield City Region were planning on using £3.5m of National Productivity Investment Funding (the LFF Challenge Fund mentioned above is part of this fund) for the project. It would allow the councils to utilise transport levy savings to fund the financing costs of the £3.5m capital investment in broadband on a cost neutral basis.

Superfast South Yorkshire website

Images: Superfast South Yorkshire / twitter

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News: Rotherham digital marketing agency celebrates two years in business

SUM, a digital marketing agency based at Manvers in Rotherham, is celebrating two successful years of trading.

Based at Concept Court, SUM works with start-up businesses, SME's and corporate companies to deliver online and offline marketing services; including web design, branding, SEO and social media management.

Last month, the design team at SUM created presentation visuals for Greg Dyke, founder of Vine Hotels and former chairman of the FA, who presented in front of 800 people at the Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester.

SUM is also celebrating success from the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards earlier this month. The agency was highly commended in the Most Promising New Business Award and a finalist in the Digital and Creative Award.

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James Coughlan, company founder at SUM, said: "We've grown rapidly from a team of two to a team of nine with a second office in Surrey. I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported me throughout SUM's journey. I never dreamed we'd be where we are today, but I'm so proud of what the team have achieved."

Keen to make difference to the local community, SUM deliver a programme of free education workshops to help boost digital knowledge within Rotherham organisations.

Working in partnership with NatWest Business and Swinton-based Brearley & Co Accountants, SUM delivered their first sold-out workshop at Rotherham United's New York Stadium last month. The fast-growing agency is a business partner at the League One club.

Due to demand, the agency will deliver a second workshop at the stadium this week on October 25, and the final workshop of the year is scheduled for November 22.

The free to attend events include an interactive workshop that get businesses thinking more strategically about marketing spend and return.

SUM.Agency website

Images: SUM

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News: Business support for digital growth

A new initiative is offering free bespoke and structured advice and support to help South Yorkshire businesses maximise uptake of new and developing digital technologies.

The Superfast South Yorkshire Digital Growth Programme will see 60 full-day action-planning workshops and 20 three-hour awareness-raising seminars held across the region in the next 14 months.

Themes covered by the programme will include digital marketing for start-ups, planning an effective website, search engine optimisation and analytics, ecommerce, using social media, working with images and video, utilising data, cloud computing, cyber resilience, email marketing and blogging.

The programme is being delivered by East Midlands Chamber which is already delivering similar programmes across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire where demand for places has been high.

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Natalie Ward, programme manager for Superfast South Yorkshire, said: "Businesses are the engine room that power local economies, but knowing the true value of digital technology and understanding what is right for your businesses can be a daunting challenge. That makes it all too easy to miss out on opportunities for improvement.

"The programme we're delivering seeks to encourage enterprises with growth aspirations to explore and introduce new and emerging ICT products to improve their competitiveness and productivity."

Superfast South Yorkshire is the partnership between the authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and BT, which secured millions to ensure South Yorkshire will have access to superfast broadband.

Organisations will have to meet eligibility criteria to take part in the programme – which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - but once accepted could be entitled to financial support through the Superfast South Yorkshire Connection and Innovation voucher scheme.

The initiative has the aim of supporting over 100 organisations which could lead to the creation of 16 new businesses.

Details of the funded events can be found here.

Superfast South Yorkshire website

Images: East Midlands Chamber

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