Smart Hub Lanarkshire - a state-of-the-art centre that will help manufacturing SMEs to grow and prepare for the future – has opened its doors for in-person events.
The Smart Hub, 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 ‘virtually’ opened in April this year and has since hosted six webinar events, attracting almost 250 attendees from a wide range of manufacturing businesses.
Now, with Covid restrictions easing, the Hub has begun to welcome visitors for live demonstrations of collaborative robots – known as ‘cobots’ – in action.
With demonstrations set to become a regular fixture at Smart Hub Lanarkshire, SMEs who are who are considering introducing automation and want to see what cobots can do for them can now book an appointment by getting in touch with the Hub team.
As well as technical advice, the Hub can also offer SMEs insight into business support services available to them.
Councillor Allan Graham, Convener of the Enterprise and Growth Committee at North Lanarkshire Council said: “The virtual events run to date by Smart Hub Lanarkshire have proved very popular with local manufacturing businesses, so being able to welcome visitors through the doors is an exciting development for the facility.
“The hub is offering an opportunity for SMEs to learn about this innovative technology and how it can help growth and economic development in the area, and I would encourage businesses to take part in the events available.”
Smart Hub Lanarkshire has guided tours running weekly through November and December 2021. For more details and to book a place, visit: https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/business/smart-hub-lanarkshire/smart-hub-lanarkshire-events