Made Smarter accelerating digital transformation for the UK packaging sector

Packaging Solutions

As the packaging industry faces mounting pressure to become more sustainable, agile, and data driven, the Made Smarter initiative is stepping up to ensure SME manufacturers aren’t left behind.

With a mission to drive digital transformation across the UK’s manufacturing base, Made Smarter is preparing to make its debut at the inaugural UK Packaging Expo this September (3 to 4 September, Manchester Central), bringing a powerful message to the show floor: digital doesn’t have to be daunting and the benefits are real, practical, and within reach.

Made Smarter is a UK wide initiative providing expert advice, match funding, leadership training, and access to digital technology interns to small and medium sized manufacturers. Tailored to support companies with fewer than 250 employees and under £36 million in turnover, the programme is designed to equip SMEs with the tools and confidence to integrate digital technologies into their operations.

From data analytics and AI to automation and additive manufacturing, Made Smarter’s support is helping manufacturers increase efficiency, reduce waste, and build resilience in the face of ongoing supply chain and market challenges.

The decision to exhibit at the UK Packaging Expo is a strategic one. As a key manufacturing sector with significant potential for digital transformation, the packaging industry is central to many of the trends reshaping modern production – from sustainability to traceability to on-demand manufacturing.

At the show, visitors to the stand will discover how embracing technology can translate into real world gains:

• Improved productivity through automation and reduced downtime.

• Cost savings from minimising waste and optimising resource use.

• Smarter decision making with real time data and predictive insights.

• Empowered teams with digital skills and tools that enhance performance.

The initiative will showcase case studies, examples of supported projects, and walk visitors through what their digital journey could look like, from the initial roadmap to funding and implementation.

Packaging businesses are already grappling with a wave of change, and Made Smarter’s offering aims to help manufactures to meet these shifts head on:

• Sustainability: reducing material waste, energy consumption, and carbon footprint through smart sensors, data driven monitoring, and automated processes.

• Smart packaging: enabling traceability and customer engagement with IoT, RFID, and track and trace systems.

• Flexible production: supporting smaller batch sizes and rapid changeovers through automation and robotics.

• Operational intelligence: turning underutilised factory data into actionable insights for forecasting, compliance, and performance.

• Future ready workforce: upskilling employees to manage and thrive in digital environments.

Whether it is enabling sustainable design through digital twins or improving the traceability of food packaging with smart labels, Made Smarter helps manufacturers integrate the digital tools that customers – and regulators – are demanding.

‘We want visitors to walk away inspired, informed, and empowered,’ said Jessica Morrissey, marketing and communication manger, Made Smarter North West. ‘They will leave knowing digital transformation doesn’t have to be complex or expensive because with Made Smarter, it is supported, achievable, and worth it.’

Looking to the future, Made Smarter sees the convergence of sustainability, smart technology, and connected systems as the next big shift in packaging innovation. Intelligent packaging that interacts with the supply chain, biodegradable and ultra lightweight materials, and circular economy models enabled by data and tracking systems are all on the horizon.

Discover how UKPackaging Expo is set to become the UK’s leading event for the packaging industry. Taking place in Manchester – the heart of the nation’s manufacturing sector – the event offers an opportunity to explore the latest in packaging innovation, sustainability, and business growth.

For more information, please see www.ukpackagingexpo.co.uk