According to the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), local businesses are starting to use modern tech like automation and digital manufacturing. 

Thanks to government funding and expert advice from the Made Smarter Adoption initiative, which started back in November 2018, all kinds of companies are getting involved. This includes everyone from workwear brands and accessory makers to suppliers of specialized fabrics for solar shading and boat covers. The main goal of this program is to help smaller businesses use digital tools to smooth out their day-to-day work and solve common industry problems.

Speaking about a digital Jacquard loom which was partially funded by a Made Smarter grant, Joe Roberts, general manager of textiles designer and manufacturer Invent Interior Solutions, said: