Manchester-based clothing manufacturer WAWWA is investing £120,000 in digital manufacturing technology to improve factory productivity and reduce material waste. The company is introducing an automated fabric spreading and cutting system that is expected to reduce the time spent laying and cutting fabric by more than 90%. The technology is also expected to almost halve the amount of fabric wasted during the manufacturing process.

The investment is part of WAWWA’s wider digital transformation programme, which includes two connected technology projects worth £120,000. The company received £60,000 in grants from Made Smarter North West, a government-backed programme that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt digital technologies.

The new equipment will be connected to WAWWA’s existing digital systems, creating a smoother workflow from design through to fabric cutting. The company expects this to increase the amount of production it can complete in-house while reducing its dependence on external services.

Looking ahead, WAWWA plans to further connect its digital systems across manufacturing and stock management. The company also intends to expand its retail presence in Manchester, which it hopes will provide a foundation for future growth.