Manufacturing and Engineering SMEs from across the West Midlands will be invited to a dedicated regional event this March, which will focus on strengthening and diversifying supply chains and adopting digital technologies.
The Supply Smarter West Midlands Consortium, who are leading the delivery of a new Supply Chain Transition programme, will be hosting a large manufacturing expo, ‘Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands: Innovation, Automation and Diversification’, in collaboration with Made Smarter West Midlands, to help connect manufacturers with buyers, grant funding, one-to-one support for digital adoption, and to help build diverse, resilient supply chains.
The West Midlands has long been recognised as the beating heart of UK manufacturing, with strengths spanning automotive, aerospace, rail, advanced engineering, precision machining and emerging clean technologies. Home to thousands of manufacturing SMEs, OEMs, and their supply chains, the region plays a vital role in the UK economy. However, as manufacturers face ongoing pressures from rising costs, skills shortages, supply chain disruption and rapid technological change, the need to build resilience and adaptability has never been more urgent.
As a collaboration between these two high-profile, regional support initiatives for Manufacturers – Made Smarter West Midlands and the Supply Chain Transition Programme – the event will bring together manufacturers, engineers, industry experts and regional stakeholders to explore practical ways of futureproofing manufacturing operations in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment.
About the Initiatives
Made Smarter West Midlands connects manufacturing and engineering businesses with digital technology specialists to transform the way they work and improve productivity. The initiative has helped 845 manufacturing SMEs with digital transformation since it launched in the region in 2021, and has provided £3.25 million in match-funded grants to enable firms to adopt new digital technologies into the business.
The Mayor of the West Midlands and the West Midlands Investment Zone’s new programme – Supply Chain Transition – launched in 2025 as a £12.5 million support initiative to help manufacturing SMEs in the West Midlands diversify into new and emerging sustainable clusters, including aerospace, modern & low carbon methods of construction and other green industries, electric light vehicles, health and med-tech, battery manufacturing, and smart energy systems. The range of support available includes one-to-one diversification road mapping with supply chain specialists, R&D grants up to £200,000, leadership and change management training, and the opportunity to work with innovation experts to identify and develop new products and services designed in collaboration with the region’s Key Customers to solve supply chain challenges.
The Event
The upcoming regional event, which will take place on 11th March at Austin Court in Birmingham, will bring together partners from both programmes to focus on how manufacturers can harness digitalisation, innovation and diversification to improve productivity, remain competitive and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Attendees will hear from Steve Bowyer, head of the West Midlands Investment Zone, and Prof. Alan Norbury, Chief Technologist at Siemens, together with other industry experts and West Midlands manufacturers who are taking proactive steps to modernise their operations and respond to change.
Alan, who has been at the frontline of technological change, having been with Siemens for 47 years, said “Digitalisation is changing all areas of our lives: The way we stay informed, the way we travel, the way we buy things – and the way we manufacture products.
“The pace of innovation and the ability to disrupt are becoming key success factors in global competition.
“So what does this mean for UK productivity and growth? How will new technologies change the way we do business? What skills are required? And how is digitalisation being adopted in practice?” he concluded.
Alan’s keynote presentation will provide practical answers to these questions and, together with other expert insights and real-world case studies, the event will highlight solutions and innovations that are transforming manufacturing SMEs and regional supply chains.
Craig Humphrey, CEO of Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub Group of which C&W Business Solutions is a part, emphasised the importance of taking a proactive approach to futureproofing manufacturing in the region. “The West Midlands extensive manufacturing base has been built on decades of skills, expertise and innovation,” he said.
“But the landscape is changing fast. To remain competitive, manufacturers need to think strategically about how they adopt new technologies and diversify into new markets. This event is about giving businesses the practical insight and confidence they need to take those next steps and secure a sustainable future,” Craig concluded.
As the West Midlands continues to evolve as a modern manufacturing powerhouse, events such as this play a vital role in supporting businesses to adapt, innovate and thrive. For manufacturers looking to strengthen their operations, protect their supply chains, expand their customer base, and position themselves for long-term success, Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands: Innovation, Automation & Diversification offers a timely and relevant opportunity to engage with support, seek inspiration and explore practical steps towards a more resilient future.
You can book your free place for the event here: https://bit.ly/supplysmarterwmconference
About the Programmes
The Supply Chain Transition Programme is an initiative from the West Midlands Investment Zone and the Mayor of the West Midlands. Funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority and Business Growth West Midlands, support is available to manufacturing SMEs across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Warwick District. The Supply Smarter West Midlands Consortium, who are delivering the programme, comprises C&W Business Solutions, WMG at the University of Warwick, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), and the West Midlands Combined Universities – Birmingham City University, University of Wolverhampton, and Coventry University.
More Information: https://cwgrowthhub.co.uk/supply-chain-transition-programme/
Made Smarter West Midlands is delivered by C&W Business Solutions, part of the CW Growth Hub Group, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Business Growth West Midlands and the Growth Hubs in Worcestershire, The Marches, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire. Made Smarter West Midlands also collaborates with a range of strategic partners, including WMG, at the University of Warwick, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), who help programme participants benefit from the expertise of their digital manufacturing specialists.More Information: https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/west-midlands/
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