By taking part in Made Smarter Adoption North East, Gateshead-based Deal Direct Blinds was able to invest in a new, state of the art roller blind table to make its manufacturing processes more precise and more efficient. Since implementing the new technology, the company has expanded its team, launched new product ranges, and won new business.

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Deal Direct Blinds is a family run business operating across the North East region. The company offers a full range of internal window blinds (including plantation shutters), external awnings, pergolas, garage doors, and security shutters, all from its showroom and workshop in Gateshead. Prior to taking part in Made Smarter Adoption North East, the company had not made any significant investments in digital technology.

Why did you decide to sign up to take part in Made Smarter Adoption North East?

For two reasons - one, our company has never sought any investment or funding in the past. In fact, our Managing Director wasn’t even aware this type of funding was available to help businesses like ours grow.

And second, the business needed to become more digitally focussed. Our most immediate need was a new, digitally enabled cutting table, as the one we had was very old and out of date. We’re now required to use digital labels on our products and to produce digital worksheets.

We made contact with the North East Growth Hub and one of the Connectors, Karl, arrived on his bike and advised us what grants and support was available through Made Smarter Adoption North East to help us purchase the new cutting table and invest in digital technology.

Prior to joining the programme, did you use digital technology within your business to improve efficiencies and productivity?

We had no significant digital technology within the factory, so this was going to be a big change for us. 

But we understood that by making the investment we could increase sales and increase our staff numbers too.

What were some the barriers to introducing digital technology within your business?

It’s the unknown really; will it work. When we decided to take part in Made Smarter Adoption North East we brought everyone into a meeting to share the idea and get people on board. Once we explained it, everyone was really excited about the opportunity.

What have you enjoyed most about taking part in Made Smarter Adoption North East?

I suppose it’s the knowledge we’ve learnt along the way, and seeing the end result. Now that we have the technology in place we can move the business forward and work smarter. We’re also more confident about bringing more technology into the business.

What digital technology/solution have you introduced in your business as a result of the programme?

The technology we’ve invested in is a new Micro Pneumatics, four x five metre crush cut electric drive roller blind table, complete with auto positioning system, bambi silent compressor, and light box. It allows us to make our manufacturing processes more precise and more efficient. 

The new roller blind table comes with crush cut technology, which seals the edges of the fabric to avoid fraying, giving a far superior finish. The lightbox also shows up any faults in the blind before it goes into production.

One of the most significant improvements is the barcode scanner within the machine. This means when a delivery note comes in, we’re able to scan it digitally, making the process so much quicker. Previously everything was done manually, but the new technology has cut down on human error as there are less people involved in the process. 

We’re also working with SAM (Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing) at the University of Sunderland on an additional bit of software that will allow us to digitise another part of our blind making process, improving efficiency and productivity even more. 

How has the digital technology/solution improved your business?

It really has changed how we work. We can work faster now, which has created capacity within the business. As a result, we’ve expanded our team and we’re bringing in more business.

We’ve also been able to expand and develop our product range too. Since we introduced the new technology, we’re now able to manufacture external awning fabrics, rather than just handle the install.

We’re starting to see improvements across all areas of the business. 

Why is it important for manufacturing businesses to adopt digital technology?

You’ve got to move with the times. I don’t think a lot of companies realise the benefits digital technology can bring to their business, from saving time and money, to increasing employment.

Why should other manufacturing businesses in the North East take part in Made Smarter Adoption North East?

I’d encourage businesses to take part in Made Smarter Adoption North East because of the expertise on offer. You can learn so much about how digital technology can improve your business and help you contribute to important issues like net zero. 

Technology is changing manufacturing and there are things you have to have in place to remain competitive. It’s given us a depth of knowledge and great support. The whole experience has been brilliant.

To find out more about Deal Direct Blinds, visit dealdirectblinds.co.uk. 

Businesses in the North East Combined Authority (Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland) can find out more about Made Smarter Adoption North East and sign up to take part by visiting www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk.

Businesses in the Tees Valley Combined Authority area (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland) can find out more about Made Smarter Adoption North East and sign up to take part by visiting www.teesvalleybusiness.com. 

About Made Smarter Adoption North East

Made Smarter Adoption North East is a fully-funded business support programme that connects manufacturing businesses in the region to digital tools that can transform the way they work. Grants are available to help eligible businesses introduce new digital solutions that improve performance and efficiency.

Backed by world-renowned businesses and UK government, Made Smarter Adoption North East aims to drive growth in UK manufacturing by improving the development and adoption of emerging technologies across the sector.

The North East Growth Hub and Tees Valley Business are working with Made Smarter to deliver Made Smarter Adoption North East in the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas.