“The timing couldn’t be better,” said one participant at the Shaping the Future of European Manufacturing: Growth and Innovation for SMEs conference, held on November 28, 2024, in Brussels. And they were right. Over 110 industry leaders, policymakers, and representatives of Digital Innovation Hubs and EU-funded initiatives gathered for what turned out to be a truly meaningful and inspiring event.
This wasn’t just another conference, rather the culmination of a journey that has supported the digitalisation journey of 947 manufacturing SMEs across Europe with over 9,000 hours of tailored services and created 110 networking events that connected key players from all corners of the industry. This event marked the end of an important chapter, but it also highlighted the potential and opportunities in the European manufacturing sector.
Key insights from industry leaders
ADMA TranS4MErs coordinator Syam Nair opened the day with a recap of the key results and achievements reached in the past three years. His words perfectly summarise the spirit that guided the consortium over the past three years:
“This project isn’t just about transformation. It’s about building a community of changemakers committed to shaping a more competitive and sustainable future for European manufacturing.”
Oliver Kozak, Policy Officer at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, continued to highlight what makes our project so special in his keynote address “SMEs were often left behind when working with big corporations. No incentives meant no real change, but now, through projects like ADMA Trans4MErs, we’re creating meaningful benefits for the European ecosystem”. And Szabolcs Szekacs, Policy Officer at the EU’s GROW Unit, followed with a powerful message: “The integration of advanced manufacturing technologies and embracing the circular economy presents huge opportunities for Europe.”
These addresses set the tone for the day, reminding us that the future of manufacturing lies in innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
The panel discussions throughout the day gave us a deeper look into SMEs’ challenges and opportunities in today’s manufacturing landscape, diving into market needs, financial instruments and support services available across the EU. With policymakers like Salvatore Amico Roxas (DG GROW unit), Rachel Davies and Gash Bhullar (Digital Manufacturing Innovation Hub Wales), Jana De Merlier (STAR Research & Innovation Cluster), Walter Quadrini (Politecnico di Milano), and representatives of the ADMA TranS4MErs consortium, the discussions highlighted how collaboration and hands-on support are key to making the transition smoother for SMEs.
Relive the best moments by watching the recap video and downloading the event photos.
Collaborating for a stronger ecosystem
The Partnership Building session was one of the highlights of the day. EU-funded initiatives FactoryXChange, LCAMP, OpenZDM, AI REDGIO 5.0, greenSME, UNDERPIN, REBOOT SKILLS and MODAPTO shared their work, sparking new ideas and opportunities for networking and collaboration. These sessions proved that by working together, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible in the digitalisation of manufacturing.
In the afternoon, we also had the chance to hear directly from some SMEs that went through the Digital Transformation Programme. Together with their TranS4MErs, HOUFEK (Czech Republic), ICONSOF (Sweden), FAMILY INNOVATION and AGROINFINITY (Romania) shared their transformation stories, offering inspiration and real-world examples of how digitalisation has made a tangible impact on their operations.
Looking ahead
The event wasn’t just about celebrating what’s been achieved; it was about setting the stage for what comes next. Lise-Ann Sheahan summed it up perfectly when she said,
“It’s about people”: the true spirit of this event wasn’t just about technology but about the people driving that change, and the resilience and passion they bring to the table. As Magdalena Jabłońska wisely put it, “For SME owners, their business isn’t just a job; it’s their life. It’s about enabling these businesses to grow.”
As the ADMA TranS4MErs project concludes, the momentum from this event continues to build. The insights shared, the connections made, and the lessons learned will all play a part in shaping the future of the European manufacturing sector.
We’re excited to see how our results and findings will continue contributing to the digitalisation and innovation of SMEs across Europe. We hope our work will help drive positive change and that the connections made at this event will spark future collaborations for years to come.
