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GROWIN 4.0 
–
 AN EU FUNDED PROJECT FOCUSED ON INDUSTRY 4.0 IN 
MANUFACTURING SMEs 
 
Trevor Gibson 
–
 Manager at Smart City Leadership
and Development, Opportunity Peterborough, Great Britain. 
The GrowIN EU funded project is aimed at building strong competencies and 
accessible business tools in participating regions specifically for the benefit of 
manufacturing SMEs.
The overall objective is to raise the level of innovation and to create more growth 
amongst these companies.
The tools that have been designed, collected, refined and tested are aimed at 
assessing the state of readiness for Industry 4.0, increasing the pace of adoption of new 
technology and assessing future skills needs. The tools that have been developed are 
even more valuable as part of the recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic as they 
contribute to building resilience into future business plan.
The strong links between smart, resilience and sustainability considerations are 
also important as multiple priorities can be met through the implementation of 
integrated Industry 4.0 solutions. 
Common city challenges in the UK
1
 
The (Unavoidable) COVID Context: 
A shock to our social and economic systems 

But with some environmental benefits 

Significant changes implemented quickly 

The vulnerability, complexity and length of our supply 

chains exposed 

A need to capture the learning and rebuild our economy to be more sustainable 
and resilient. 
Smarter Cities: 

embrace Industry 4.0 approaches 

develop intelligence-led, integrated, cross-cutting solutions 

learn from, and applying, best practice from both within and outside the city 
1
Source: Detailed analysis of the Future Cities Demonstrator Feasibility Studies, produced for the Technology Strategy 
Board by Arup Limited, 25 April 2013. 

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
use technology and data mechanisms where they will have greatest effect whilst 
enhancing human-led interactions 

harness existing networks and communities across all sectors to accelerate the 
achievement of the city’s vision.
Peterborough’s Smart City Journey
: 

Peterborough became one of four InnovateUK Future City Demonstrators in 
2012 

The resultant ‘Peterborough DNA’ project was launched in 2013

Jointly led by Opportunity Peterborough and Peterborough City Council 

The approach has generated new business opportunities, developed pioneering 
environmental projects, inspired the disconnected and provided new skills for local 
citizens.

It has also explored new technologies and digital interventions that underpin 
these initiatives. 
Industry 4.0 is the use of technologies such as automation and data exchange in 
manufacturing including:

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) 

The internet of things (IoT) 

Industrial internet of things (IIOT) 

Cloud computing 

Cognitive computing 

Artificial intelligence 

Autonomous robots 

Machine learning 
The GrowIN 4.0 Project: 

GrowIn 4.0 aims to build strong competences and tools in the participating 
regions for the benefit of manufacturing SMEs 

The overall objective is to raise the level of innovation and to create more 
growth within manufacturing SMEs who are heading for Industry 4.0. 

The approach is to establish a strong partnership which pools knowledge on the 
manufacturing industry and Industry 4.0. 
GrowIN 4.0 Partners (17): 

Germany: Allianz für die Region GmbH (Braunschweig), Atene KOM GmbH, 
Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences 

Belgium: Flanders Make (Higher Education and research), Voka - Chamber of 
Commerce of East-Flanders, Open Manufacturing Campus, Strategic Projects 
Kempen, SPK (Business support) 

Holland: Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Hanze UAS), Northern 
Netherlands Alliance, SNN) 

UK: Opportunity Peterborough, Anglia Ruskin University, TWI Ltd (Higher 
Education and research) 

Denmark: Erhvervshus Midtjylland, VIA 
Background Research Findings: 
Common challenges include: 

Insufficient business support 

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17 
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Cautiousness or risk aversion 

Not having the right skills and competences 

The lack of digital standards 

Cyber security concerns 

A lack of finance, and 

A lack of the right business tools. 
However, common opportunities include: 

Increased productivity, competiveness and growth. 
Closing Remarks: 
Industry 4.0 should be seen as one comment of a modern, Smart City 

It is critical to sustained economic development 

The environmental benefits should not be underestimated 

Businesses require accessible, targeted support to overcome resistance and 
address challenges 

Sharing of experiences, locally, nationally and internationally is essential 
toaccelerate progress 

Post Covid-19 it can support the development of a more efficient and resilient 
economy