Made Smarter helps protein bar maker boost digital skills
The manufacturer is among 1,200 businesses in north west England that have worked with the Made Smarter Adoption Programme to introduce digital tools to help increase productivity and growth and deal with COVID-19’s impact.
Digital technology and disruption caused by COVID-19 has helped accelerate technology adoption in the food and drink industry and advance food safety practices, according to industry experts.
Digitalisation at Nutree Life has resulted in 25 workers assuming technical operator, team leader and new management roles through learning new skills.
Commenting on Nutree’s involvement with the programme, co-founder and chief executive Patrick Mroczak said: “Our entire workforce has gone to another level of working since the arrival of these new technologies. Now, because they run these processes, they are coming up with ideas to take it further.
Creating jobs
“With the increased productivity and greater efficiency, I have been able to create dozens of new jobs, adding brain power to a broader team, and upskill a significant number of them. This process has created a much more profitable business and much happier staff.”
Made Smarter has worked with 160 business to secure matched funding to develop projects using technologies that enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and create simulations of their plants and processes.
More than 1,800 staff have learned new skills to meet the demands of emerging technologies and ensure successful digital transformation.
Digital transformation
Ruth Hailwood, organisational and workforce development specialist adviser for Made Smarter, added: “Empowering staff on the front line is vital to a successful digital transformation, so manufacturers need to have or work to create a culture that is open to change and looking to grow and innovate.
“This will ensure the buy-in and support of the team, which alongside the right skill sets, good digital leadership, and effective communication, will make sure everyone shares the same vision and people can reap the benefits of using these new tools effectively.
“Doing a skills audit is key to identifying where people need development with a view to future-proofing the organisation. This can also identify and unlock the hidden talent that already exists in the business or focus on capturing technical skills and know-how in a veteran employee.”
