How embracing AI leads to sustainable growth for SMEs
How embracing AI leads to sustainable growth for SMEs
Technology Transfer Engineer at WMG, Manikanta Ravi, shares why it’s important for SME manufacturers not to fight AI, but to embrace it to deliver real impact.
The idea of artificial intelligence replacing people’s jobs sparks fear for many workers, but the reality is more positive. When computers entered manufacturing in the 1980s, many feared job losses. Instead, new roles like CAD designers and CNC machinists emerged, and productivity soared.
Embracing AI in your manufacturing business can increase sales, reduce lead times, and give your team more time to focus on higher-value work. Soon, SMEs nationwide will be hiring dedicated AI-focused roles, not to replace people, but to enhance their skills and unlock new opportunities.
AI in action
It’s not just manufacturers recognising AI’s potential. A recent government report stated that ‘AI adoption is core to delivering the government’s missions’ and that ‘ramping up AI adoption across the UK’ will drive economic growth, create jobs, and ‘improve people’s everyday lives’.
The report notes that support from AI has already shown tangible benefits:
- Do repetitive tasks quicker, freeing up to 20% of an employee’s time.
- Drafting structured reports and forms with AI can cut final document production times by 20-80%.
“For SME manufacturers, embracing AI is no longer optional; it’s critical for staying competitive, boosting productivity, and building sustainable growth." – Manikanta Ravi, Technology Transfer Engineer, WMG.
How you can turn potential into action
SMEs are already seeing the positive impacts of implementing AI:
- Instant knowledge access: AI Chat Bots connected to a knowledge base of machine manuals, lab safety procedures, and SOPs, give fast answers to equipment and procedure questions, reducing delays and training time.
- Minimise unplanned downtime: predictive maintenance using modern machine learning (ML) techniques and sensor data to detect wear and tear early, keeping machines running and schedules on track.
- Consistently higher quality: quality control powered by AI detects defects in real time, preventing waste and protecting your business.
- Target profitable markets: AI-driven marketing and sales tools identify the right customers, find tenders, and tailor proposals for higher win rates.
- Streamline operations: process optimisation and factory planning cut wasted time, help to balance workloads, and improve productivity.
At WMG, our SME Group helps manufacturers on their adoption journey, supporting them through the process and identifying the right investments to deliver the best results for each business.
We follow a four-step action plan to guide SMEs in their AI adoption journey; from raising awareness of AI, to pilot projects and full-scale deployment.
The action plan includes:
Stage 1: Support clients in exploring the potential of AI through tailored education, and guide them in building an AI strategy aligned with their wider digital transformation journey.
Stage 2: Assist clients in identifying suitable AI projects, investments or benefits aligned with their business goals.
Stage 3: Support our clients in developing a POV (Proof of Value) or POC (Proof of Concept) to validate these benefits.
Stage 4: Provide support for implementing the chosen AI solutions across the organisation.
Proven results from AI in SMEs
We’ve worked with many manufacturers on their AI adoption journeys and helped them to:
- Reduce downtime: From creating AI strategy roadmaps to diagnostic workshops, we provide support and advice on how businesses can understand reasons for downtime and ways to avoid it. For luxury bathroom manufacturer Samuel Heath, we worked closely with them to shape a robust digital strategy and develop a clear, actionable Digital Transformation Roadmap.
- Deliver more efficient operations: We’ve designed business management solution architectures for SMEs, which integrates AI into businesses’ existing systems. For ProtectaPet, WMG’s support led to £1.6m increase in projected turnover.
- Building in-house AI expertise: Through over 220 internship projects, WMG has helped hundreds of manufacturers to transform their projects, people and potential. We’ve enabled SMEs to trial AI solutions and upskill their teams through KTPs and internships.
How SMEs can get support with AI
WMG’s SME Group partners with SME manufacturers to guide them through funding routes and tailoring support to adopt AI in their businesses.
Through Made Smarter West Midlands, we provide businesses a unique mix of industry-proven consultancy best practices and cutting-edge research, to help businesses grow, improve productivity and profitability in an industry where AI is only just getting started.
“AI isn’t new, but its adoption in SMEs is. We help manufacturers to build their confidence in using AI, so that they can harness the power of it to drive positive outcomes for their businesses.” – Manikanta Ravi, Technology Transfer Engineer, WMG.
Want to know more about how AI can help your business? Get in touch with our team.