The Smart Hub, which is a partnership between North Lanarkshire Council, New College Lanarkshire and the University of Strathclyde, is home to a robotics and automation training facility and a dedicated space for SMEs to meet, learn and access business support and academic expertise.

Based at New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell Campus, the facility opened digitally in April 2021 and physically in October 2021. Since then, 290 people from manufacturing SMEs, universities, colleges, councils, enterprise agencies and industry organisations have attended Smart Hub webinars, events and demonstrations.

Now, with the latest Covid restrictions now easing, the Hub will begin welcoming visitors again from 25th January for a series of industry-focused events.

Live demonstrations of collaborative robots – known as ‘cobots’ – are aimed at SMEs who are who are considering introducing automation and want to see what cobots can do for them.

The demonstrations, which include the opportunity to get hands-on with cobot technology, will run every Tuesday at 9.30am and Wednesday at 1pm from Tuesday 25 January – Wednesday 30 March.

Also available from later this month are ‘Explore and Connect’ sessions for manufacturing SMEs, which will run every Thursday at 9.30am from 27 January – 31 March.

These sessions are designed to connect manufacturing SMEs with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). A dedicated SME Engagement Adviser will outline the support on offer from NMIS and will be available for one-to-one meetings.

Barry Skea, Head of Department for Science and Technology at New College Lanarkshire, said: “We’re delighted that Smart Hub Lanarkshire will be able to welcome visitors again from 24th January. Our events, which include one-to-one sessions and small group demonstrations, will place a strong emphasis on providing a safe, interactive and high quality experience. I would encourage manufacturing SMEs to take up the opportunity to come and see us, find out what automation can do for you, and learn about the industry-focused business support available locally in Lanarkshire.”

Councillor Allan Graham, Convener of the council's Enterprise and Growth Committee, said: “Despite the obvious operating challenges the ongoing pandemic has presented, Smart Hub Lanarkshire continues to go from strength to strength. This is a result of strong partnership working, resilience and the ambition to make the facility work. It reflects also, the appetite of local manufacturing SMEs, who possess the foresight and drive to explore new technologies and learning opportunities. I would encourage more local businesses to take advantage of industry focused business support available through the Hub during 2022.”

Smart Hub Lanarkshire is one of 12 projects to be awarded a share of £15.8m of funding from the Scottish Government through the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund.