Manufacturing SMEs, including bakeries, are being helped to cut through the noise around artificial intelligence (AI) and focus on what actually works on the factory floor.
A new guide from government-backed initiative Made Smarter – entitled ‘AI Adoption in Manufacturing’ – has been developed to support companies to navigate “one of the most significant technological shifts in decades”.
It notes that while awareness of AI is high, many manufacturers remain unsure of where to start, how to manage risk, and how to translate potential into measurable business value. Rather than focusing on complex technologies, the guide sets out a clear, task-first approach, helping businesses identify where AI can reduce low-value work, improve decision-making, and strengthen day-to-day operations.
At the centre of the toolkit is a structured “Scan, Pilot, Scale” framework that reflects how manufacturers successfully adopt AI in practice. It encourages businesses to start with real operational challenges, test solutions safely, and scale only what proves its value in live environments.
The guide has been co-authored by Made Smarter North West, the government-backed programme helping SME manufacturers adopt technology and digital skills, and professor Chris Dungey, AI champion for advanced manufacturing at the Department for Business and Trade and chief technology officer at the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
“AI has moved quickly into everyday business, but for many manufacturers, especially SMEs, it still feels complex, distant and risky,” commented Dungey. “That is why practical adoption matters more than technical novelty.
The professor notes that if UK businesses are to realise the productivity, resilience and competitiveness gains that AI can offer, they must focus less on isolated success stories and more on repeatable adoption pathways. “This toolkit is an important step in that direction, helping manufacturers move from curiosity to capability, and from pilots to scaled industrial impact,” he adds,
Further expert insight in the toolkit comes from the Manufacturing Technology Centre, alongside analysis of workforce impacts and the skills required to support adoption.
Kevin Smith is lead technology adoption specialist at Made Smarter North West. He highlighted how AI is no longer out of reach for SMEs as it doesn’t require major investment or specialist teams to get started.
“The opportunity now is to act with confidence and clarity,” said Smith. “By starting small, testing safely and focusing on real business value, manufacturers can turn AI from an abstract concept into a practical tool for growth.”
The ‘AI Adoption in Manufacturing: A Practical Toolkit from Made Smarter’ guide is available to download here for free.
No comments yet