Inspiration

According to the UK Innovation Report 2025, manufacturers across the UK are increasingly adopting AI, robotics, and data analytics to boost efficiency and drive innovation. Despite this growing awareness across UK manufacturing, adoption remains inconsistent, with fewer than half of businesses fully embedding digital tools.

This gap between ambition and implementation inspired D3M_CoLAB, which responds to an industry need for practical, low-risk support. By offering structured guidance and hands-on trials, the project helps manufacturers explore new technologies, build confidence, and unlock value without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Innovation and impact

Through hands-on projects and tailored training, D3M_CoLAB enables manufacturers to learn and apply data-driven approaches to real industrial challenges, from improving production processes and quality control to enhancing equipment reliability. Many are applying new methods immediately within their businesses, embedding data-driven decision-making where it can have the greatest impact.

Data science capabilities have been embedded into organisations through a portfolio of workforce upskilling courses that provide ongoing data science support from NMIS and PhD students from the University of Strathclyde, the operator of NMIS, to drive the deployment of cutting-edge data solutions.

Projects with aerospace and energy firms have delivered measurable benefits, from automated energy-use analysis to 3D model-based tolerance tools to cut emissions, reduce waste, and improve accuracy of critical components, supporting better performance and reduced rework.

To date, over 120 projects in 90 organisations across sectors including food and drink, construction, and electronics have demonstrated how Scottish manufacturers are using data-driven methods to achieve measurable improvements in performance, quality, and sustainability. The programme has also upskilled 250 people, driving tangible gains in productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness across Scotland’s manufacturing sector.

Customers and partners

A project with West College Scotland and Ailsa Reliability is extending these benefits into the workforce pipeline. Apprentices are gaining hands-on experience with condition monitoring, using sensors and digital systems to track machine health and detect early signs of failure, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is equipped with the data-driven skills modern industry needs.

Participants receive tailored training in data science for manufacturing, followed by ongoing support from the NMIS and PhD students from the University of Strathclyde to apply new approaches in practice.

Other industry partners of D3M_CoLAB include; Babcock, Bae Systems, Anaconda, Bellrock Technology and ShapeSpace.

Regional collaboration

The project is part of the Glasgow City Region Innovation Accelerator programme, funded through Innovate UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation. The initiative is investing £100 million across 26 transformative R&D projects to accelerate the growth of high-potential innovation clusters, including the Glasgow City Region.

Conclusion

The D3M_CoLAB project explores the potential of data science to solve real-world manufacturing problems and boost productivity by upskilling local engineers and it has proven to achieve measurable improvements in performance, quality, and sustainability within 90 organisations.

By developing a hub that works with manufacturers to safely identify and explore projects where advanced data analytics can improve their design, decision making, and operational effectiveness, it ultimately makes them more productive and competitive.

Through the collaborative approach of D3M_CoLAB, Scottish manufacturing is more effectively adopting AI, robotics, and data analytics to achieve positive business impact.