Future Fit Manufacturing Cohort: Helping West Midlands SMEs to Grow

Manufacturers across the West Midlands are invited to join the Future Fit Manufacturing Cohort, a fully funded four-session programme designed to help SMEs unlock investment, embrace innovation, and prepare for sustainable growth.

Delivered by Business Growth West Midlands and Investment Readiness, the cohort blends expert-led workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and tailored guidance to equip manufacturers with the tools they need to thrive.

Over the course of four sessions, participants will explore energy efficiency, digital transformation, automation and AI, before meeting funders to understand what they are really looking for. Each workshop also creates valuable networking opportunities, enabling manufacturers to share experiences, build partnerships, and collaborate on future opportunities.

Programme dates and themes

• 24 September – Energy Efficiency in Practice with Pro Enviro Ltd, hosted at Webster & Horsfall Group, Tyseley Energy Park
• 1 October – Planning Your Digital Transformation Journey and Innovation Funding, at Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT)
• 8 October – Automation and AI with Made Smarter, SWAI, and Garfield AI, hosted by Barclays, Snow Hill
• 15 October – Meet the Funders and Tax Planning with Mazars, hosted by Barclays, Snow Hill

This programme is designed for SME manufacturing business owners, directors and decision-makers who are planning to invest in growth over the next 12–24 months, seeking funding support, and keen to build strong local connections.