Ritherdon & Co has begun exploring robotic welding and automation to enhance the production of its electrical enclosures, following a digital internship supported by Made Smarter.
The Darwen-based manufacturer produces a wide range of stainless steel and PVC enclosures for electrical infrastructure and industrial applications.
To assess how automation could support efficiency, repeatability and future capacity, the business partnered with electrical engineering student Sahil Hathi from Newcastle University.
The three-month paid placement was delivered through Made Smarter North West, the government-backed regional adoption programme supporting SME manufacturers with digital transformation. The initiative enables businesses to test new technologies in a practical, low-risk way while giving students and graduates paid experience inside live industrial environments.
Ben Ritherdon, Managing Director of Ritherdon & Co, said: “Made Smarter gave us the time and space to properly test how robotic welding could work within our existing operations, while also developing Sahil’s skills in both hands-on fabrication and automated manufacture.”
During the internship, Sahil worked directly within production teams, analysing welding processes, mapping workflows and identifying where automation could improve repeatability and support future scalability.
Sahil said: “It’s been a valuable opportunity to be part of a team that encourages problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement, and to build my technical skills in a real manufacturing environment.”
Over the past year, Made Smarter North West’s latest cohort of 18 interns have worked directly on factory floors and in engineering teams, applying a wide range of digital technologies to real production challenges. These include robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, data and analytics, CNC and CAD-to-CNC workflows, virtual reality and digital twins, system integration and wider workflow digitisation.
Donna Edwards, Programme Director for Made Smarter North West, said: “These digital internships are delivering exactly what manufacturers need, practical digital skills and fresh thinking, while giving students and graduates paid, hands-on experience on real industrial projects, and a direct stepping stone into employment.”
Since its inception in 2019, Made Smarter has supported over 2,500 manufacturers across the North West, providing access to expert digital advice, technology adoption roadmaps, skills development opportunities, and funded technology projects.
Find out more about the Digital Internship programme and read the recent white paper, visit:
madesmarter.uk/adoption/internship-programme
