SOUTH YORKSHIRE MANUFACTURER AMONG FIRMS INVESTING £900,000 IN DIGITAL TECH WITH MADE SMARTER

Published 24 June 2026 at 3:44pm

EE Ingleton Engineering cuts energy use and boosts productivity

A Sheffield manufacturer is among 19 Yorkshire businesses investing almost £900,000 in digital technologies to improve efficiency, create jobs and support future growth, with support from Made Smarter Yorkshire.

EE Ingleton Engineering produces perforated metal products, industrial screens and specialist heat-treated wear parts for the recycling and animal feed sectors.

It secured grant funding through the Government-backed programme, which helps small and medium-sized businesses adopt digital tools and technologies to improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness and unlock growth opportunities.

The latest projects build on Made Smarter Yorkshire’s wider impact since launching in 2021. During that time, the programme has supported more than 1,250 manufacturers, awarded 112 technology grants worth £1.6 million and helped generate almost £5 million of investment across the region.

EE Ingleton, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, secured a £20,000 grant towards a £43,000 project to modernise and digitalise its heat-treatment furnace. The investment replaced ageing analogue controls and manual processes with a digitally controlled system featuring automated process management, remote monitoring and data capture capabilities.

The upgrade has improved productivity by creating an additional six to eight production hours per week through overnight pre-heating and remote monitoring. It has also significantly improved energy efficiency, increasing gas efficiency from around 30-35% to approximately 80%, with potential gas savings of up to 50%, while strengthening the company's in-house heat-treatment capability.

Terry Lee, Director, said: “We’re a traditional manufacturing business, but this journey has shown that digital technology and decarbonisation can work hand in hand. It’s not just about reducing energy costs, it’s about becoming more competitive, more resilient and making sure the business is in a strong position for the next 50 years.

“These projects have helped us move much faster than we could have done on our own. The support has allowed us to invest in technology, improve efficiency and continue modernising the business while protecting jobs and creating new opportunities for the future.”

The investments demonstrate confidence at a time when manufacturers continue to face economic uncertainty, rising operating costs and ongoing pressure to improve efficiency. Rather than standing still, these businesses are embracing digital technologies to increase productivity, unlock capacity and strengthen their competitiveness.

Jessica Armitage, Programme Manager for Made Smarter Yorkshire, said: “EE Ingleton Engineering is a great example of how manufacturers can use digital technology to improve productivity, reduce energy consumption and strengthen competitiveness.

“Many of our manufacturers begin their journey by engaging with the programme to better understand how and where technology could be adopted to have the greatest impact. Through specialist advice, expert-led digital training, grant support and access to digital interns, manufacturers have been able to develop the confidence to take the next step and invest in their business and staff to future-proof operations.

“Whether it’s automation, advanced manufacturing equipment, digital systems or better use of data, these digital projects are helping manufacturers work smarter and build stronger, more resilient businesses.

“Since 2021, we have supported hundreds of manufacturers across Yorkshire to explore, adopt and scale digital technologies. Grant funding is still available, and I would encourage more manufacturers to register with Made Smarter and discover how digital technologies could deliver meaningful improvements to their business.”

To learn more about how Made Smarter can help your business innovate and grow, visit www.madesmarter.uk/yorkshire.