Skip to content
Last week marked a genuine milestone for UK manufacturing. BrookTech delivered the UK’s first training cohort for the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), bringing together a group of manufacturers for four days of intensive, hands-on learning in how to assess, benchmark and accelerate digital transformation on the factory floor.
Why SIRI, and why now?
Developed with the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT), SIRI has become the world’s leading independent framework for measuring smart manufacturing maturity. It gives manufacturers something that has long been missing from the digital transformation conversation: a common language and an objective benchmark. Rather than chasing technology for its own sake, SIRI helps businesses understand exactly where they stand across process, technology and organisation and, crucially, which improvements will deliver the greatest impact.
For the UK, the timing matters. Manufacturers here face mounting pressure on productivity, energy costs, skills and supply chain resilience. Digital transformation is no longer optional, but it has to be done in a way that is structured, prioritised and sustainable. That is precisely what SIRI is designed to enable.
Four days of inspiring, practical learning
The cohort spent four engaging days working through the SIRI framework, from the foundations of the Assessment Matrix through to prioritisation and real-world application. What set the training apart was how grounded it was in practice rather than theory.
We were fortunate to have strong support from Shridhar Ravikumar, who was part of the original SIRI development team. The collective experience of more than 800 SIRI assessments undertaken across the world was woven directly into the learning, real cases, real pitfalls, real results. That depth of first-hand insight made the training exceptionally valuable for every participant.
Digital, but durable
At BrookTech, we believe the goal isn’t simply a digital industrial sector, it’s a durable one. Digitalisation that improves productivity, strengthens resilience and supports sustainable manufacturing for the long term. SIRI provides the roadmap; a trained community of UK practitioners provides the momentum. This first cohort is an important step towards both.
Thank you
A huge thanks to Jan Hemper and the team at inControl Systems Limited for hosting us for the week and providing a superb environment for the training. Thanks also to INCIT and to the wider network, including Make UK, the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Directors, whose support continues to champion the transformation of UK manufacturing.
What’s next?
This is just the beginning. If you’d like to understand where your operation sits on the digital maturity curve, or you’re interested in joining a future SIRI training cohort, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch with the BrookTech team today to start your SIRI journey.
