Release date: 7 October 2026
Manufacturing businesses in West Sussex are investing in new digital technologies through Made Smarter South East, a regional growth programme supported by the county council to help the sector innovate, upskill and grow.
The programme, which has been developed by a consortium of partners including West Sussex County Council, is now in its second year of delivery having successfully secured funding from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
It provides expert advice, leadership development, digital skills training, funded internships and match-funded technology grants of up to £20,000 to help manufacturers improve productivity and accelerate growth.
One such company is Worthing-based Nordell, a plastic injection moulding specialist, which secured a £17,000 grant towards investment in an AI-powered invoice processing solution. Nordell's
Managing Director, Paul Mason, said: “We joined the Made Smarter programme to challenge our thinking, strengthen our internal skills, and identify practical opportunities where technology could support the next stage of our growth.
“This investment goes beyond digitising a finance process. It is focused on creating a platform for future growth, freeing our people to focus on activities that add value, and giving us better visibility and control across the business.”
Another local business benefiting from investment is The Rider Firm in Partridge Green. The company secured a £10,000 grant towards advanced computing and 3D printing technology as part of a project that’s expected to create four new jobs while upskilling its existing workforce.
West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, Councillor Yvonne Gravely, said: “We’ve been listening to West Sussex businesses to understand what they need in order to seize opportunities for growth. Made Smarter South East does just that; it enables our manufacturers to embrace innovation, access specialist support, upskill their employees, and make the most of funding to adopt and embed new technologies with confidence.
"It is fantastic to see local businesses such as Nordell and The Rider Firm benefiting from the programme. Their investments demonstrate how digital technology can drive productivity, support workforce development and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of manufacturing in West Sussex.”
To learn more about Made Smarter South East, including how to get in touch and find out if this programme is for you, visit madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-east.
