Manchester-based sustainable clothing manufacturer WAWWA has committed £120,000 across two connected technology projects aimed at transforming its production process, with significant backing from Made Smarter North West, a government-supported programme designed to accelerate digital adoption among manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The investment targets what the company identified as one of its most pressing operational challenges: fabric cutting. Until now, the process has been performed by hand, with approximately 35% of it outsourced to external parties. The introduction of an automated fabric spreading and cutting system is expected to save over 90% of the time previously spent on laying and cutting fabric, while nearly halving the volume of fabric wasted during production. This focus on fabric waste reduction represents a direct response to inefficiencies that have long constrained the company’s in-house output.
A Phased Approach to Digital Transformation
WAWWA’s journey into digital manufacturing began in 2024, when the company started working with Made Smarter North West to develop a structured digital investment roadmap. The first phase involved a £10,000 grant supporting the adoption of a Vetigraph CAD/CAM system, which replaced the company’s manual pattern-making processes with digital tools.
The results of that initial investment were considerable. Pattern storage requirements dropped by 90%, grading time was reduced by 75%, and improved fabric utilisation allowed WAWWA to expand its product range without the need to take on additional staff. These early gains laid the groundwork for the next and larger stage of the digital transformation.
Automated Cutting System: The Next Step
Following guidance from the University of Salford’s Northern Engineering and Robotics Innovation Centre, WAWWA secured a £50,000 grant — part of the broader £120,000 investment — to fund the acquisition of an automated fabric spreading and cutting system. This new equipment is integrated with the company’s existing software, creating a more seamless workflow from the design stage through to final cutting, and is expected to meaningfully increase in-house production capacity.
Made Smarter’s involvement extended beyond financial grants. The programme also provided WAWWA with leadership training and facilitated opportunities for the company to trial automated cutting technology in collaboration with another manufacturer, offering hands-on experience before committing to the full system.
Building for Long-Term Growth
WAWWA’s plans beyond the current investment phase include further integration of digital systems across production and stock management operations. The company also intends to expand its retail presence in Manchester, with the aim of using that expansion as a replicable model for future growth.
WAWWA Production Manager Charlie Pyatt reflected on the broader value of the programme: “Technology has been a big part of the journey, but that’s only one piece of it. Made Smarter gave us the time and support to step back, understand the business better and focus on the changes that would have the biggest impact. It’s helped us become better leaders, build relationships with other manufacturers and experts, and given us a roadmap that’s still shaping where we go next.”
WAWWA is among more than 2,500 manufacturers across the region that have engaged with Made Smarter North West. The initiative continues to support digital manufacturing SMEs in adopting technology that drives both operational efficiency and sustainable business growth. Through the combination of automated fabric cutting, digital pattern systems, and structured leadership support, WAWWA’s transformation offers a clear example of how targeted investment in sustainable fabric automation can reshape production from the ground up.
