# Nightingale HQ teams up with Welsh manufacturing clusters across North and Mid Wales > Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke travelled across North and Mid Wales with cluster leaders to share practical approaches to continuous improvement through modern technology. > > **URL:** https://www.gosmarter.ai/blog/nightingale-hq-welsh-government-hvm-cluster-collaboration/ **Date:** 2026-05-14 **Author:** Ruth Kearney **Categories:** news, blog **Tags:** nightingale-hq, manufacturing, wales, digital-transformation, automation, artificial-intelligence, metals ## Welsh manufacturing does not need more theory. It needs practical collaboration that helps teams fix real bottlenecks on real production sites. That was the point of this trip. Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke from Nightingale HQ travelled across North and Mid Wales to meet manufacturers, strengthen cluster partnerships, and deliver a practical talk on continuous improvement through modern technology. Nightingale HQ is the company behind GoSmarter, and this work sits right at the centre of our mission. We build practical tools for metals manufacturers, but the best ideas still come from listening on the shop floor, not guessing from a desk. ## Building momentum with Welsh cluster partners This activity brought together strong partners from across the ecosystem. Nightingale HQ teamed up with the Welsh Government High Value Manufacturing cluster and the Welsh Government Export Cluster led by Paul McDonnell and Tony Aggarwal. We also worked closely with Cluster Manager Ceri Stephens in Mid Wales to bring manufacturers together for direct conversations about what is working, what is not, and where technology can remove friction. The focus stayed simple throughout: - Help manufacturers speed up continuous improvement work - Cut manual admin that drains engineering time - Improve visibility without forcing teams into massive system change - Share practical examples from businesses already making progress If manufacturing leaders want innovation to stick, this is the model that works: manufacturers, cluster leaders, and technology partners in one room, talking about operational reality. ## Mid Wales event hosted by RM Group A key stop was the Mid Wales event hosted by RM Group, a business doing impressive work in robotics and automation. James Nicholls gave a clear overview of RM Group's products and services and highlighted how automation can support safer handling, cleaner process control, and more reliable day-to-day output. It was a grounded session that connected strategy to practical implementation. Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke then delivered a talk on continuous improvement through the latest technology to a group of manufacturers from across the region. The message was direct. Continuous improvement should not live in slide decks or in a spreadsheet that nobody updates after Friday. It should sit inside day-to-day operations, where teams can see progress, spot blockers quickly, and make faster decisions with confidence. We discussed how manufacturers can start with one process, prove value fast, and scale only when the change is working. That approach avoids the usual trap of trying to digitise everything at once and exhausting the team before results appear. ## North Wales meetings: Mona Lifting and FAUN Trackway In North Wales, we held onsite meetings with Mona Lifting Ltd in Anglesey and with FAUN Trackway, a German company with a strong presence in advanced engineering applications. Mona Lifting is known for specialist lifting and handling solutions, including inspection, testing, certification, and support services used in demanding industrial settings. The team supports high-spec sectors, including nuclear projects, where quality, reliability, and traceability are non-negotiable. FAUN Trackway shared insight from its work in engineered mobility systems and temporary surface access solutions used in complex environments. Conversations like this matter because they expose practical approaches that cross borders and sectors. Mid-sized manufacturers in Wales can borrow proven ideas without losing the strengths of their own operations. Our discussions were not about hype. They were about execution. Which workflows still rely on manual checks? Where does information get lost between production, quality, and delivery teams? Which improvements can be made now with the systems people already use? ## Welshpool site visit: Carpenter & Paterson leadership team The visit to Carpenter & Paterson in Welshpool was another strong reminder of what Welsh manufacturing does best: deep engineering expertise paired with practical innovation. Carpenter & Paterson manufactures specialist pipe suspension and support equipment. This includes spring supports, dynamic supports, pipe clamps, and related fabricated steelwork for demanding process and power applications. Their products are used across major sectors, including nuclear, where long-term reliability and technical precision are essential. Seeing the production team in action reinforced why digital and operational improvements have to be practical. In high-spec environments, teams need accurate information at the point of work. They do not need extra admin layers that slow delivery and increase stress. Like Mona Lifting, Carpenter & Paterson is a home-grown Welsh metals business with global reach. These are exactly the companies that show how Wales can combine heritage engineering strength with modern innovation and export confidence. ## Why this collaboration matters for Mid Wales manufacturers Manufacturers told us the same thing in different words: they are under pressure to move faster, keep standards high, and do more with the same people. That is where collaboration between clusters, government programmes, and practical technology partners becomes powerful. When support is coordinated, manufacturers get: - Better access to tested ideas from peers - Faster routes to pilot projects with measurable value - Clearer pathways from process pain to practical implementation - Confidence that innovation can support people rather than replace them GoSmarter was built for this kind of environment. The aim is not to rip out every legacy system overnight. The aim is to remove repetitive work, improve decision quality, and free skilled teams to focus on high-value production and improvement work. ## The next step The trip across North and Mid Wales confirmed what we already believed. Welsh manufacturers are technically strong, and ready to innovate when support is practical. Nightingale HQ will keep working with cluster partners and manufacturers to turn this momentum into real, measurable progress. The opportunity is huge, and the foundations are already in place. If you are part of a manufacturing business in Wales and want to explore where modern technology can accelerate continuous improvement without adding bureaucracy, we would love to talk. ## FAQs {{< faq question="Who was involved in this Wales manufacturing collaboration trip?" >}} The trip involved Ruth Kearney and Steph Locke from Nightingale HQ, with collaboration support from Cluster Manager Ceri Stephens and the Welsh Government Export Cluster led by Paul McDonnell and Tony Aggarwal. Manufacturers and ecosystem partners from North and Mid Wales also took part. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What was the focus of the Mid Wales manufacturer talk?" >}} The talk focused on continuous improvement through the latest technology. The discussion covered practical ways to reduce manual admin, improve operational visibility, and implement change in manageable steps that teams can sustain. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="What do Mona Lifting and Carpenter & Paterson contribute to Welsh industry?" >}} Mona Lifting provides specialist lifting and handling capability. It also delivers inspection, testing, and certification services for high-spec projects. Carpenter & Paterson manufactures engineered pipe suspension and support systems for demanding process and power environments. Both businesses support nuclear projects. Both are home-grown Welsh innovators with global reach. {{< /faq >}} {{< faq question="Why does Nightingale HQ run site visits instead of only remote sessions?" >}} Because the reality of manufacturing work is onsite. Site visits help us understand real process bottlenecks, team pressures, and operational constraints so that recommendations and tools are practical, not theoretical. {{< /faq >}} ## Related reading - [Nightingale HQ team attend UK Metals Expo](/blog/nightingale-hq-team-attend-uk-metals-expo/) - [Kaizen Meets AI: Modernising Continuous Improvement](/blog/kaizen-meets-ai-modernising-continuous-improvement/) - [AI in Manufacturing Webinar](/blog/ai-in-manufacturing-webinar/) - [Midland Steel Case Study](/casestudies/midland-steel/)