Built Around Trusted Industry Guidance
NWSmart5.0 brings together practical resources, guidance, and tools informed by recognised organisations supporting cybersecurity, safe AI adoption, digital transformation, and manufacturing innovation.
Our content draws on trusted frameworks, best practices, and publicly available guidance from organisations including:
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
- Made Smarter UK
- UK Government
- OECD AI Principles
Designed to help manufacturing SMEs across Greater Manchester and the North West build secure, resilient, and future-ready operations.
What is Industry 5.0?
Industry 5.0 is the natural evolution of Industry 4.0. While Industry 4.0 brought digitalisation, automation, IoT, and AI for greater efficiency, Industry 5.0 goes further by placing people, sustainability, and resilience at the core of industrial transformation.
“Industry 5.0 is a sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry… It moves the focus from shareholder to stakeholder value… placing the wellbeing of the industry worker at the centre of the production process.”
The Three Core Pillars:
Technology serves people. Workers move from repetitive tasks to more creative, supervisory, and fulfilling roles. Emphasis on wellbeing, inclusion, diversity, and lifelong learning.
Production respects planetary boundaries — supporting the circular economy, resource efficiency, renewable energy, and the European Green Deal.
Building robust systems and supply chains that can withstand shocks such as cyber-attacks, pandemics, geopolitical issues, and climate events.
Why This Matters for North West SMEs
Manufacturing SMEs face real barriers — technological complexity, skills gaps, and uncertainty around secure implementation.
This Knowledge Hub bridges those gaps with practical, actionable resources so you can adopt smart technologies securely, responsibly, and sustainably.
What You’ll Find Here
- Best Practice Guides & Toolkits (Safe AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation)
- Workshop Recordings, Slides & Materials
- Digital Maturity & Risk Assessment Tools
- Real SME Case Studies from the North West
- Templates & Checklists tailored for manufacturing
- Peer Learning & Community Resources
Long-Term Commitment
This hub is hosted and maintained long-term by the University of Salford. It will continue to grow with new resources, tools, and case studies well beyond the project period.
Blog Insights
Read practical insights on AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation for manufacturing SMEs.
Scroll sideways to browse blog articles →
AI in Manufacturing SMEs: Driving Productivity and Efficiency in the Industry 5.0 Era
Explore how AI can support predictive maintenance, quality control, intelligent automation and human-centred Industry 5.0 adoption.
Cybersecurity Risks in AI-Driven Manufacturing
Coming soon: what SMEs need to know about cyber risks when using AI in manufacturing environments.
Building Trustworthy AI for Manufacturing SMEs
Coming soon: transparency, ethics and governance for responsible AI adoption.
Human-Centred Industry 5.0
Coming soon: how AI can empower workers rather than replace them.
Sources
Breque, M., De Nul, L., & Petridis, A. (2021). Industry 5.0: Towards a sustainable, human-centric and resilient European industry. European Commission.
Ready to strengthen your business?
Explore our key areas and get practical support for your manufacturing SME.