Sustainable fashion firm WAWWA creating jobs and tripling turnover after digital investment

Manchester fashion firm backed by Made Smarter project

Clothing firm WAWWA has created 20 jobs and is expecting turnover to triple after launching a digital transformation project with Government backing.

Manchester’s WAWWA invested £120,000 in two projects, backed by £60,000 in grants from Made Smarter, to modernise the way it designs and makes clothes.

WAWWA was founded in 2015 and its production processes grew organically along with the business. Manufacturing processes remained largely manual, with patterns on cardboard templates, production managed on whiteboards and sticky notes, and layouts marked on fabric by hand.

WAWWA first worked with Made Smarter in 2024 through a Digital Transformation Workshop. A £10,000 Made Smarter grant then supported a £20,000 investment in a Vetigraph CAD/CAM system to replace manual pattern work with a digital process, allowing WAWWA to operate more efficiently and to add more styles.

Next WAWWA worked with Made Smarter technology partner the Northern Engineering and Robotics Innovation Centre to secure a £50,000 grant towards a £100,000 Assyst Bullmer fabric spreading and cutting system. That work is set to cut the amount of time spent laying and cutting fabric by 90%, and will also almost halve fabric waste while allowing WAWWA to bring more manufacturing work in-house.

WAWWA is continuing to work with Made Smarter on digital investment while the clothing firm is also considering expanding its retail presence in Manchester and beyond.

Charlie Pyatt, production manager at WAWWA, said: “Technology has been a big part of the journey, but that’s only one piece of it. Made Smarter gave us the time and support to step back, understand the business better and focus on the changes that would have the biggest impact.

“It’s helped us become better leaders, build relationships with other manufacturers and experts, and given us a roadmap that’s still shaping where we go next.”

More than 2,500 manufacturers have worked with Made Smarter North West since the programme launched in 2019.

Donna Edwards, director of Made Smarter North West, said: “WAWWA is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when a manufacturer takes a long-term, strategic approach to digital transformation.

“Our partnership has evolved from understanding the business and developing a roadmap, through technology investment and leadership development, to identifying the next opportunities for growth and improvement.

“What’s particularly pleasing is how WAWWA has embraced the wider support ecosystem. We’ve brought together Made Smarter’s expertise with NERIC’s technology specialists and peer learning with manufacturers such as Lusso, giving the business the right expertise and experience at each stage of its journey.

“Tripling turnover and growing the workforce threefold is a tremendous achievement, and it’s exciting to see WAWWA continuing to invest, innovate and build its manufacturing capability.”