York-based chocolatier Choc Affair has won the inaugural Made Smarter Adoption Award on recognition of its commitment to digital transformation and innovation within the manufacturing sector.
Choc Affair achieved a huge leap in capacity for its handmade chocolates thanks to a high-tech labelling machine funded by a £20k grant from Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber, delivered through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub. The machine has led to an increase in capacity from labelling 600k bars a year to 1.5m.
Julian Barrie, MD of Choc Affair, said: “The process with Made Smarter was really easy. The support and financial assistance have been invaluable. We’re excited to scale up our business and secure our future thanks to this investment.”
The Made Smarter Adoption Awards, launched to recognise and celebrate SME manufacturers who have embraced technology and skills to digitalise, decarbonise, and drive growth, saw regional winners from across the UK compete for the national title at an awards show in Liverpool.
Brian Holliday, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission, added: “The Made Smarter Awards celebrate digital transformation among SME manufacturers, and I would like to congratulate all winners and nominees as we collectively celebrate the successes the Made Smarter adoption programme has helped support in each of the individual manufacturing businesses.”
