NEWS n 5 Industrial Strategy: Made Smarter scheme will help 5,500 more SMEs Around 5,500 SME manufacturers in England will be helped to adopt advanced industrial technologies as part of the government’s long-awaited Industrial Strategy, which was published in June. The 160-page main document lays out a raft of measures aimed at making Britain the best place to invest in, and grow a business. The Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment and create good skilled jobs in UK industry. It focuses on eight sectors where the UK is already strong and could grow even faster, including advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. Highlights of the plan include: n investing an extra £1.2bn each year in skills by 2028-29, delivering more opportunities to learn and earn in highgrowth sectors, including new short skills courses funded by the Growth and Skills Levy, and skills packages targeted at defence digital and engineering; n supporting 1.1 million new well-paid jobs over the next decade; n slashing the electricity bills of more than 7,000 energy-intensive British businesses by up to 25% from 2027; n unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially SMEs, by increasing the British Business Bank’s financial capacity to £25.6bn, attracting tens of billions of pounds more in private capital; n reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and by reducing the number of regulators; n boosting R&D spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation in the eight chosen sectors, with more than £2bn for AI over the period of the Spending Review, and £2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years, potentially attracting billions more from private investors; n attracting elite global talent to key sectors via visa and migration reforms, and a new Global Talent Taskforce; n deepening economic and industrial collaboration with partner countries, building on recent deals with the US, India and the EU, and the UK’s Industrial Strategy Partnership with Japan; n centralising government support in one place through the Business Growth Service; n cutting planning timelines and costs for developers by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations, and removing burdens on businesses; n revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness; and n supporting city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator, enhanced regional support from the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and the British Business Bank. Up to £99m more funding will be made available for the Made Smarter Adoption programme from 2026 to help a further 5,500 SME manufacturers in England to adopt new technologies. The model will also be applied in a new scheme for the professional and business services sector. The Government will also launch demonstration programmes to enhance technology confidence and use across businesses – for example, by establishing new adoption hubs for robotics. Another announcement is the creation of a Sovereign AI Unit, with up to £500m to boost the UK’s stake in frontline AI. It will work with the British Business Bank to make investments to build the UK’s AI capabilities. An Industrial Strategy AI Adoption Fund will facilitate the development of AI applications in high-growth potential firms in the earmarked sectors. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will increase support for the eight chosen sectors by pivoting its programmes and budgets towards research and innovation priorities in those sectors. Innovate UK will play a central role in accelerating the commercialisation of new technologies, and the Catapult Network – which Innovate UK funds – will also focus on the priorities laid out in the Industrial Strategy. According to prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the Industrial Strategy “marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past. In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long-term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people’s pockets as part of the plan for change.” www.drivesncontrols.com July/August 2025 HEPCOMOTION, THE DEVON-BASED manufacturer of linear motion systems and automation components, is investing around £15m on new infrastructure, increased manufacturing capacity, and upgrades to its Tiverton headquarters, including the construction of three new manufacturing and logistics buildings. Two of the planned additions, due to start operating by the end of this year, will increase the company’s footprint by 25–30%, while the third – currently in the planning phase – will add further capacity for future growth. Hepco says that the investment will address a rising demand for its products by expanding its manufacturing capacity, enhancing its operational efficiency, and advancing the development of its core products. It adds that the plans reflect its long-term commitment to growth, innovation and continued investment. One of the new buildings will expand the company’s manufacturing and assembly facilities, including its capacity to produce GFX guidance system for use in Beckhoff’s XTS linear transport system. The second building will act as a logistics and storage hub to streamline HepcoMotion’s material-handling and supply chain operations. The third new building, still in the planning phase, will form part of Hepco’s long-term strategy to accommodate future growth. “This expansion strengthens our operational capability and reinforces Hepco’s role as a global leader in linear motion technology,” says managing director, Peter Fanshawe. “We’re investing in infrastructure that supports innovation and positions us to meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide.” HepcoMotion invests £15m to support its global growth The government’s Industrial Strategy aims to make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business
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