First Wave Of Kent Manufacturers Geared For Growth With Made Smarter

Free webinar on National Manufacturing Day to showcase support available

Two Kent manufacturers are among the first in the South East to start transforming their operations with Made Smarter, just months after the launch of the £1.55m Government-backed adoption programme.

Art4site, based in Wye, and Cocoba Chocolate, based in Strood, have completed a Made Smarter Digital Transformation Workshop to identify opportunities for technology adoption and create a bespoke roadmap for change.

Launched in April, the programme has already registered more than 300 businesses across the South East who have signed up for expert advice, leadership and skills training, student placements, and match-funded technology grants of up to £20,000 to help SMEs improve productivity, competitiveness and sustainability. 

Of these, 75 manufacturers have either completed or scheduled a Digital Transformation Workshop, highlighting the strong pipeline of activity and the appetite among South East firms to embrace digital adoption.

With Made Smarter’s support, this first wave of manufacturers are now pursuing a wide range of digital projects, from robotics, automation and AI to upgraded ERP systems and smarter stock management. Many are also investing in simulation tools, digital twins and online integration to improve efficiency and scale operations. Crucially, businesses are pairing technology with leadership training and workforce upskilling to build long-term resilience and sustainable growth.

Art4site is a fine art printing studio producing high-quality giclée prints for artists, illustrators, photographers and publishers nationwide.

Michael Setek, Founder, said: “As we have grown, our systems have become more complex and time-consuming to manage. We built a strong foundation using custom tools, but we are now looking for smarter ways to streamline how we work, improve reliability and reduce waste.

“The Digital Transformation Workshop helped us clarify where digital upgrades would have the most impact. We are exploring options such as workflow dashboards for better visibility, AI-powered tools for image checking, and cloud storage to support collaboration. We are also looking at upgrading our production printer and adopting automated accounting software to reduce manual admin. Importantly, all of this aligns with our sustainability goals, from reducing paper waste to expanding the use of solar energy and eco-friendly materials. The workshop gave us the direction and confidence to start making these improvements step by step.”

Cocoba Chocolate is a chocolatier producing handcrafted products for its own brand and private label, supplying major retailers.

Darren Litton, Founder, said: “As we have grown, we recognised the need to modernise how we manage stock, production, and planning. Our systems have served us well, but to keep up with increasing volumes and complexity, we know we need to be smarter about how we work. 

“The Digital Transformation Workshop gave us a framework to build that future. We are now developing a digital roadmap, implementing a new stock management system, and looking at how to better integrate third-party platforms. We are also applying for a Made Smarter grant to support investment in automation equipment. Alongside the tech, we are committed to investing in our people by bringing in an intern to digitise product specifications and exploring leadership training and apprenticeships to build the next generation of talent. The workshop helped us bring everything together into a clear plan that balances growth, efficiency and culture.”

Made Smarter South East is delivered by Surrey County Council in partnership with 11 local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships. 

Bryan Vint, Programme Manager for Made Smarter South East, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see so many beginning their transformation so soon after launch. It shows the real appetite among South East manufacturers to embrace digital technology and highlights the immediate impact Made Smarter is having. Every company is on its own journey, starting from a different point and with different ambitions, but each has found a clear path forward through the programme. Together, these firms are already showing how digital tools can reshape manufacturing, from optimising production and improving traceability to reducing waste and upskilling people, with benefits that range from higher productivity and revenues to new jobs, internships and more sustainable operations.”

“Every SME manufacturer in the South East has the potential to benefit, whether they make chocolate, electronics, precision components or furniture. Made Smarter is here to help them build confidence, take the right next steps and unlock growth.”

To inspire more businesses to take the first step, Made Smarter South East will host a free webinar on National Manufacturing Day, TODAY Thursday 25 September, from 12.30 to 1.15pm. The session will explain how the programme works and how manufacturers can benefit from expert support, funding and skills development. To sign up visit here. 

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