Liverpool’s Virtual Engineering Centre is contributing to a new business support programme which aims to help manufacturers take advantage of the opportunities associated with the current revolution in digital technologies.
The programme is also a part of the Liverpool City Region Local Growth Hub. Image via liverpool.ac.uk
The scheme – LCR4.0 – will be one of the first of its kind in the UK. It will enable business in and around Liverpool to access practical support and connect with other small and medium sized business to help them unleash the transformational potential of Industry 4.0.
What is Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 is the fourth industrial revolution. It refers to the ever increasing connectivity between digital and physical assets in advanced manufacturing. Think everything from the latest VR technology, augmented reality, and big data.
These technology changes are being driven by advancements and greater reliability in data analytics and human-machine interactions.
It is hoped that the adoption of these new technologies will allow businesses to become more productive and competitive.
What is LCR4.0?
LCR4.0 (Liverpool City Region 4.0) was officially launched on 30th November at the ACC, Liverpool. The scheme is part of the Liverpool City Region Local Growth Hub.
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LCR4.0 is aiming to be a world-class business support programme. The scheme hopes to provide practical advice and opportunities for collaboration, while also creating a long-lasting legacy for manufacturing in the city region.
Simon Reid, whoes role is to manage advanced manufacturing at the Liverpool City Region LEP explained that “LCR4.0 is creating a long-lasting legacy for manufacturing in the city region by helping to stimulate sustainable economic growth” and that for “smaller or more traditional [small businesses], introducing new Industry 4.0 technologies into their manufacturing processes can be daunting and they may think it’s not for them. But LCR4.0 is here to challenge those assumptions and to provide businesses with the support they need to make incremental changes that could have a big impact on productivity.”
The programme will be delivered by the University of Liverpool (Virtual Engineering Centre), Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LCR LEP), Liverpool John Moores University, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Hartree Centre and Sensor City. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund
- Deliver fully subsidised support to 300 small and medium sized businesses in the liverpool city region
- Enable collaborations between 200 businesses and partners
- Support new product development in 70 firms
- Create 60 new jobs in supported businesses
It isn’t just manufacturing that is set to benefit from the scheme. Other sectors like digital, scientific, engineering and sensors will be able to be supported by technology from the scheme.
Are you based in the North West and want to learn more about the LCR4.0 programme?
