Manufacturing doesn’t stand still, and neither do we. G W Martin is one of a group of South East manufacturers benefiting from new funding to invest in digital technologies, including automation, AI, and robotics.
We’re proud to be one of the supported projects that has been supported by £245,000 of grants from the Government-backed Made Smarter South East programme, unlocking £563,000 of private sector investment in total. Together, the businesses involved are forecast to create 50 new jobs and generate £3.8 million in additional profits as they embrace digital transformation.
Why this matters to us
We’ve always believed that investing in the right tools and the right people is how we stay ahead. Manufacturing is changing fast, and the businesses that thrive are the ones willing to adapt, learn and improve. Being part of this programme reflects exactly that mindset.
The projects funded through this round span AI-powered automation, robotics, automated testing, advanced digital inspection, integrated ERP and CRM systems, and digital scanning and 3D printing technologies, all aimed at improving productivity and strengthening quality across the sector.
For G W Martin, we were supported with our investment in a new Mitutoyo MiStar 455 shop floor CMM machine to embed automated inspection in the heart of our workshop. This has also freed up capacity for our Inspection Department’s existing CMM machine, which itself had an upgrade with scanning head capability. These systems have been integrated to bring together the advantages of offline programming and record keeping. This investment provided the catalyst for a further investment in a Vicivision Prima 609, which duplicates profile scanning inspection, again in the centre of production.
Backing our team as much as our technology
Investment in new technology only works if our people are equipped to use it well. That’s why we see this funding as being about more than machinery or software. It’s about giving our team the skills and confidence to work with new systems, take on new challenges and grow alongside the business.
The Made Smarter South East programme itself is built around this idea, starting manufacturers with a digital assessment to identify technology and skills priorities, followed by a tailored roadmap, leadership development, digital skills training and funded internships.
Looking ahead
This investment is another step in our ongoing commitment to improvement, both in how we work and in the people who make that work possible. As the wider region continues to embrace digital transformation, we’re determined to keep pace, keep learning and keep building a business that’s ready for what comes next.
We’ll share more as our own projects progress. Watch this space!
