SME Growth Summit has an interactive format that enables in-depth peer-to-peer discussions around your key data challenges, providing real insight and value. The agenda includes a combination of plenary (keynotes, 5-minute idea, and a panel discussion) and our ‘deep-dive’ roundtable discussion breakout sessions, which are limited to 5 to 8 delegates in each session.
Plenary
Our Plenary sessions bring together all delegates in a single room – concentrating the event’s focus on to a series of high-profile content sessions. These content sessions include case studies delivered by our keynote speakers as well as expertly moderated panel debates.
Discussion Tables
Select the topics that matter most to you! Over the course of the Summit, three rounds of Discussion Sessions will take place. You will have the opportunity to choose between eight Discussion Tables for a 60-minute interactive Q&A, hosted by a world-class manufacturer and a technology expert. The selection of topics will cover Data Management and Supply Chain Agility.
Welcome speech from our Chair.
- What are the critical factors to consider when implementing new technologies and processes within your organization?
- How to identify and analyze inefficient processes for optimization?
- What are the best practices for developing a learning and development programme to enhance employee skills?
- How to foster a change-ready mindset and overcome resistance to change?
Micro and SME businesses represent 99% of the Manufacturing Supply Chain in the UK and yet are rarely recognised, or reported on, by the Mainstream Media nor are they appropriately considered within current Government policy. We are the hidden success story of the UK economy and have not only survived, but in most cases thrived, whilst navigating the huge challenges of the last 3 years. So how have we managed this, what can you learn from us and why should we be heard?
- What makes our UK SME’s so special?
- How has our SME Supply Chain succeeded during the most challenging of times.
- What lessons can be learned from our SME’s.
Discover best practices for successful digital transformation and the common barriers that prevent it. Leave with the basis of your personal transformational roadmaps.
Automation is increasingly accessible to SMEs as technology gets cheaper – and continuing labour shortages mean it’s now an important option to consider. So why is automation beneficial, and how can SMEs utilise it to improve manufacturing processes?
Made Smarter Innovation Digital Supply Chain Hub and Smart Manufacturing Data Hub will host a discussion on how SMEs can effectively and inexpensively leverage data using digital technologies to deliver real value for your business. We are also interested in understanding how the Hubs can help.
The UK is facing unprecedented energy costs and the dramatic need to transition to a net-zero economy. In this discussion, we will outline:
- How businesses can become more environmentally sustainable through renewable generators and onsite efficiency
- How these renewable generators and efficient technologies also reduce energy costs for a company
- How installing these technologies enhances ESG & CSR credentials to make them more competitive in the market
Over the past decade, UK manufacturing has encountered significant challenges, triggering a series of transformative changes. From the inspiring vision of “Britain carried aloft by the march of the makers” to the impactful trading shifts in 2019, and subsequently, the pandemic-induced “needs-must” mode, our sector has weathered relentless waves of uncertainty. Alongside unprecedented energy, wage, and rates inflation, the manufacturing industry has grappled with a lack of coordination, engagement, and continuity evident in the now defunct Industrial Strategy of 2017, followed by the “Plan for Growth” in 2021, which, despite noble intentions, are yet to deliver impact.
During this roundtable discussion, we will explore the following key questions:
- How can SMEs strategically plan for sustainable growth in an unstable environment?
- What valuable insights can we draw from recent events to bolster SMEs’ resilience against uncertainty? Are there any success stories that offer hope? How have countries like Ireland, Sweden, and Germany addressed similar challenges?
- What government policy and initiative would manufacturing SMEs prefer that we Abandon-Amend-Accelerate-Adopt to foster their growth and competitiveness?
In a manufacturing recruitment market that is focused on evolving technical skills, limited on talent and ever-increasing salaries, it is the most competitive market we have ever seen to not only attract but also retain your talent. In this session we will discuss the challenges of attracting technical talent to your business and what a good value proposition looks like when trying to hire. We will also discuss what businesses need to think about when retaining talent for the future. Hopefully, you will leave with a better understanding of how to be competitive in these areas.
- What are some common challenges that manufacturing SMEs face when it comes to adopting digital technologies?
- What strategies have your manufacturing SME peers employed to overcome these digitalization challenges?
- Are there any key technologies or tools that have proven to be particularly helpful for manufacturing SMEs in their digitalization efforts?
- How have manufacturing SMEs managed to balance the costs associated with digitalization and the potential benefits it can bring?
- In your experience, what role does upskilling and training play in helping manufacturing SMEs tackle digitalization challenges?
- How do you see the digitalization landscape evolving for manufacturing SMEs in the coming years? What opportunities and challenges do you anticipate?
How do SMEs compete on the national and global recruitment market? Can SMEs compete with blue chips and deeper pockets? How do we develop a framework and enterprise architecture to attract, retain and develop the brightest and best STEM people for sustainable growth and innovation? Is there a cultural shift in values and preferences of existing and future talent? Can SMEs leverage the brand, STEM champions, mentoring, professional registration, and corporate social responsibility to attract talent?
- Sharing the challenges, lessons learned and recruitment success of a UK SME
- Developing a framework and enterprise architecture to attract, retain and develop the best STEM people for sustainable growth and innovation
- Leveraging, the company brand, STEM champions, professional mentoring, professional registration and corporate social responsibility to attract talent
Shoestring’s inventive approach helps small- and medium-sized manufacturers embrace digitalisation one step at a time by using simple components and software to create practical low-cost, low risk digital solutions. The approach was developed via pilot deployments in industry using these to examine how companies use the solutions to help improve product quality, save time and costs.
In this presentation we will show the way Shoestring’s hands-on approach has helped initiate cultural change with companies hesitant to use digital systems, giving employees first-hand knowledge of how simple digitalisation can support continuous operational improvement.
Delegates choose from the same 6 topics for the second discussion session:
- Building a Digital Transformation Strategy
- Automation for Productivity
- Leveraging data for competitive advantage in your Factory and Supply Chain
- Sustainability for Competitiveness
- Change Management in Distress
- Talent Attraction and Retention – Are you competitive?
A drinks reception awards ceremony to celebrate the launch of The Manufacturer Top 100 2023. One of the biggest nights in the manufacturing industry’s calendar, attended by the newly crowned Top 100 brightest manufacturing stars, judges, Top 100 alumni and the wider manufacturing community.
Welcome speech from our Chair.
Did you know that every disengaged employee costs your business a staggering 1/3 of their salary? It’s time to evaluate how your company culture is impacting your bottom line.
Are you seeking sustainable bottom line growth? As leaders and managers, we often prioritise process and technology while overlooking the significant influence of our people and their behaviours on business results.
Join Fiona Anderson for an eye-opening session to uncover the hidden costs of your company culture and gain valuable insights on how to cultivate a productive and innovative culture moving forward.
In today’s cutthroat B2B landscape, slow sales cycles and unpredictable pipelines are suffocating manufacturers. In fact, less than half (47%) of forecasted business ends up being closed. The traditional buyer journey is dead, as decision makers wield conflicting agendas and ghost salespeople. It’s time to rise above the chaos. Brace yourself for a transformative keynote that reveals why:
- you consistently miss sales targets
- your sales cycle seems to be getting longer and longer
- prospects don’t buy from you!
It’s a journey you can’t afford to miss. Reclaim control of your sales pipeline, accelerate complex sales and help your buyers buy.
Discover best practices for successful digital transformation and the common barriers that prevent it. Leave with the basis of your personal transformational roadmaps.
Automation is increasingly accessible to SMEs as technology gets cheaper – and continuing labour shortages mean it’s now an important option to consider. So why is automation beneficial, and how can SMEs utilise it to improve manufacturing processes?
Made Smarter Innovation Digital Supply Chain Hub and Smart Manufacturing Data Hub will host a discussion on how SMEs can effectively and inexpensively leverage data using digital technologies to deliver real value for your business. We are also interested in understanding how the Hubs can help.
The UK is facing unprecedented energy costs and the dramatic need to transition to a net-zero economy. In this discussion, we will outline:
- How businesses can become more environmentally sustainable through renewable generators and onsite efficiency
- How these renewable generators and efficient technologies also reduce energy costs for a company
- How installing these technologies enhances ESG & CSR credentials to make them more competitive in the market
Over the past decade, UK manufacturing has encountered significant challenges, triggering a series of transformative changes. From the inspiring vision of “Britain carried aloft by the march of the makers” to the impactful trading shifts in 2019, and subsequently, the pandemic-induced “needs-must” mode, our sector has weathered relentless waves of uncertainty. Alongside unprecedented energy, wage, and rates inflation, the manufacturing industry has grappled with a lack of coordination, engagement, and continuity evident in the now defunct Industrial Strategy of 2017, followed by the “Plan for Growth” in 2021, which, despite noble intentions, are yet to deliver impact.
During this roundtable discussion, we will explore the following key questions:
- How can SMEs strategically plan for sustainable growth in an unstable environment?
- What valuable insights can we draw from recent events to bolster SMEs’ resilience against uncertainty? Are there any success stories that offer hope? How have countries like Ireland, Sweden, and Germany addressed similar challenges?
- What government policy and initiative would manufacturing SMEs prefer that we Abandon-Amend-Accelerate-Adopt to foster their growth and competitiveness?
In a manufacturing recruitment market that is focused on evolving technical skills, limited on talent and ever-increasing salaries, it is the most competitive market we have ever seen to not only attract but also retain your talent. In this session we will discuss the challenges of attracting technical talent to your business and what a good value proposition looks like when trying to hire. We will also discuss what businesses need to think about when retaining talent for the future. Hopefully, you will leave with a better understanding of how to be competitive in these areas.
- What unique challenges do manufacturer SMEs face when it comes to competing for talent with larger companies in the industry?
- Are there specific strategies or approaches that successful manufacturer SMEs have implemented to effectively attract and retain top talent?
- How important is employer branding for manufacturer SMEs in their efforts to attract and retain top talent? What steps can they take to enhance their employer brand?
- What role does company culture play in attracting and retaining talent in the manufacturing sector? How can SMEs create a positive and attractive culture?
- In what ways can manufacturer SMEs provide competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent, considering their limited resources?
- How can robotics & automation technology be leveraged to enhance the efficiency and productivity of SME manufacturers?
- What are some specific applications of robotics & automation in the manufacturing sector that can benefit SMEs?
- How has robotics & automation become more affordable?
The last three years for many businesses have been challenging. Whatever the strength of your balance sheet, market position and attractiveness as an employer, none of us knows when or what the next black swan event will be or how quickly it might impact the firm’s business model. Events today move quickly and a business “in trouble but in control” can very rapidly progress down the decline curve towards the medical equivalent of intensive care. At such times outcomes depend on management’s willingness to recognise that the business is potentially in distress.
- What challenges is your business facing
- What are the signs of business distress?
- How do you ensure a better outcome?
Delegates choose from the same 6 topics for their fourth and final discussion session:
- Building a Digital Transformation Strategy
- Automation for Productivity
- Leveraging data for competitive advantage in your Factory and Supply Chain
- Sustainability for Competitiveness
- Change Management in Distress
- Talent Attraction and Retention – Are you competitive?
