Kent manufacturers preserving works of art and producing premium chocolate are investing in digital technology to improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness and support future growth as part of a wider £563,000 wave of investment across the South East.

Art4Site, based in Wye, and premium chocolate manufacturer Cocoba, based in Rochester, Medway, are among 17 manufacturers benefiting from Made Smarter South East technology grants designed to accelerate digital transformation.

Together, the projects backed by the Government-funded programme are forecast to create 50 new jobs, generate £3.8 million in additional profits and unlock £563,000 of private sector investment, supported by £245,000 in match-funded grants.

Art4Site, a specialist fine art printing company, has invested in a next-generation large-format scanner, creating what it believes is the UK’s largest flatbed fine art scanning facility.

The £40,000 project, supported by a £20,000 Made Smarter South East grant, dramatically reduces scanning times while improving colour accuracy and supporting a more integrated print-on-demand workflow.

The technology enables single-pass scanning of artworks up to 48 inches by 80 inches, eliminating the need for manual stitching and alignment while delivering high-resolution digital capture and advanced surface texture reproduction. It also strengthens the company’s artwork digitisation capabilities and provides the foundation for a more integrated catalogue-driven production workflow. The project is forecast to create two new jobs, upskill five existing members of staff and generate more than £51,000 in additional profit.

Michael Setek, Founder, said: “We are blown away with the results from the new scanner and proud to say we now have the largest flatbed scanning facility in the UK. Customers are thrilled with our new addition and we are now working with larger artwork which we previously had to turn away. This is a new era for our production.”

Cocoba manufactures premium chocolate products for retail, gifting and private label customers across the UK and international markets.

Through Made Smarter South East, the company secured a technology grant to invest in new chocolate tempering machines that will significantly increase production capacity and reduce reliance on older, less efficient equipment. The investment is expected to significantly increase hourly output while using the same number of staff, improving efficiency, reducing downtime and enabling the business to expand its product range and meet growing demand.

Darren Litton, Managing Director, said: “Made Smarter gave us the confidence to invest in modern equipment that will transform our production efficiency. The new machines will allow us to produce more chocolate, improve reliability and create new products while maintaining the quality our customers expect. For a growing manufacturer like ours, this kind of support helps remove barriers to scaling and opens up new opportunities for innovation and growth.”

Across the South East, manufacturers are investing in a wide range of technologies including AI-powered automation, robotics, automated testing, advanced digital inspection, ERP systems, 3D printing and digital scanning.

Bryan Vint, Programme Manager for Made Smarter South East, said: “These projects are a fantastic example of what can be achieved when manufacturers combine ambition with the right support. Each business has identified opportunities that are right for them, and these investments will help lay the foundations for long-term success.

“Our match-funded technology grants are designed to reduce the financial risk of adopting new digital technologies, giving manufacturers the confidence to invest in solutions that improve productivity, strengthen resilience and enhance long-term competitiveness.

“This is just the start. We know there are many more manufacturers across the South East that could benefit from expert advice, leadership development, digital skills and technology funding. We’d encourage any SME manufacturing business that wants to improve productivity, explore new technologies or accelerate its digital journey to get in touch and find out how Made Smarter South East can help.”

Made Smarter South East is delivered by Surrey County Council in partnership with 11 local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships across the region, including Kent County Council and Medway Council.

The programme provides expert advice, leadership development, digital skills training, funded internships and match-funded technology grants of up to £20,000 to help manufacturers improve productivity and accelerate growth.

To learn more about Made Smarter South East, visit madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-east.