Date revealed: 06 July 2022


Furnishings and residential items makers in Oldham are being urged to make use of the continued residence enchancment growth as a catalyst for digital transformation.

The sectors, which produce sofas, beds and furnishings, face a difficult time following the pandemic, Brexit and rising inflation.

Nevertheless, the large demand for inside design, residence and backyard merchandise and customization, in addition to an extra shift to on-line procuring – pushed by a lockdown-induced concentrate on residence upgrades – appears to be like set to proceed, presenting a big alternative to producers.

The continued renovation growth means the UK furnishings and furnishings market, value an estimated £14bn and the second largest in Europe, is estimated to develop by round 3% in 2022.

Seven SMEs from the area are amongst 140 working with Made Smarter’s Adoption Program within the North West to navigate the multitudes of challenges and capitalize on altering traits.

By tapping into neutral knowledgeable know-how and expertise recommendation, and digital transformation workshops, Made Smarter are serving to them take their first steps.

They embrace: Aurora Strong Roof’s (Oldham); Bethcore Doorways (Oldham); Comfortex (Oldham); Gemini UPVC (Oldham); Hill’s Panel Merchandise (Oldham); Parkin Materials (Oldham); and Ripple Developments (Oldham).

In the meantime, others, supported by matched funding, are investing in new digital know-how to develop into extra environment friendly, construct resilience, improve productiveness and sustainable development, and create new high-value jobs.

Made Smarter, which has supported lots of of companies to ship an extra £176 million in gross worth added, is now eager to succeed in extra SMEs throughout the furnishings and residential items provide chain.

They’ve produced a free information to assist demystify digitalization and drive know-how adoption.

The downloadable information showcases the advantages of digital know-how, find out how to get began, the highest 5 know-how traits throughout the sector, and case research of companies supported by Made Smarter, together with furnishings maker Starlight Bedrooms and materials and fabric knowledgeable Panaz.

Donna Edwards, Program Director for Made Smarter’s Adoption Program within the North West, stated: “Whereas UK manufacturing is dealing with a difficult time, it additionally presents a chance to innovate and rework.

“Companies working with Made Smarter during the last three years have proven that investing in know-how and digital expertise can construct resilience and allow them to maintain up with the fast paced business.

“Digital instruments will help producers make marginal financial savings, set themselves aside from opponents in a unstable time, make merchandise faster, reasonably priced and extra effectively.

“Working with Made Smarter we’re serving to companies introduce applied sciences incrementally, profiting from funding and assist to attenuate the influence on budgets.

“To assist demystify digitalization and assist SMEs to their first step, now we have produced some important steerage in addition to clarify why implementing digital instruments is such a precedence on this sector.”

Commending the influence of the programme, Jonathan Hindle, chairman of the British Furnishings Confederation, a gaggle which represents 5 of the principle commerce associations representing UK furnishings producers, stated: “The super success of the Made Smarter Adoption Program within the North West, and the assist it’s now providing to the sector in different UK areas, has demonstrated the worth of focused assist for SME producers to assist them take these first steps on their digitalization journeys.

“The UK furnishings manufacturing business has a world popularity for high quality and innovation, combining expert design and craftsmanship with cutting-edge know-how.

“To take care of that achievement and make sure the UK stays aggressive towards international competitors, producers must embrace present and rising applied sciences, and the large potential digitization affords, in addition to to lift the talents and productiveness of the individuals who work in our sector to the best degree.”

To obtain the free information, click on right here


Do you’ve gotten a narrative for us? Wish to inform us about one thing occurring in and round Oldham? Tell us by emailing [email protected] , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us by way of our Fb web page. All contacts will probably be handled in confidence.

Similar Posts