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5G Innovation helps business scoop top digital award
A GARNOCK Valley company recently won a top UK-wide award in recognition of the digital revolution that is helping their business.
Anderson Stewart Castings(ASC) received the Industrial Innovation Award at the Connected Britain Awards 2025.
The Beith firm – with over 50 years of experience behind them specialising in the production of metallic components for Aerospace, Automotive, Nuclear, and Rail sectors - has recently been supported by the Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region Project team.
Ayrshire was named a ‘5G Innovation Region’ after beating off stiff competition from across the UK to secure £3.8 million of UK Government funding in 2023
As part of the Ayrshire 5GIR project and its Digital Accelerator programme, ASC trialled and adopted high-speed 5G, leading to 96% efficiency improvement in its manufacturing processes. This equals to 300 fewer rework hours, seven tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided and over £250,000 in scrap value savings yearly.
It was their first digital project and they utilised smart sensor technology to automate viscosity control in the investment casting process. With the support of the 5GIR programme, North Ayrshire Council, The Scotland 5G Centre they’ve taken major strides toward becoming a truly digital foundry. The support has enabled them to modernise operations, innovate with confidence, and secure a stronger future for Scotland’s last investment casting foundry.
Quote: This is fantastic recognition and a huge congratulations to everyone at Anderson Stewart Castings for embracing the digital changes which are clearly having a positive impact on their business. The Ayrshire 5GIR project is doing some great work and not only provided the funding but helped them with the skills and expertise needed to successful trial this kind of technology. This improvement at ASC not only meant financial savings, but also improved ASC’s workforce satisfaction and productivity. ASC is now part of the Ayrshire 5GIR Digital Accelerator which means the knowledge they gained is being shared with the manufacturing industry, creating the domino effect for further 5G innovation across the region.”
Quote from: Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
Scott Sneddon, Technical Manager, said: “We’re thrilled that Anderson Stewart Castings has won the Industrial Innovation Award 2025!
“With the support of the 5GIR programme, North Ayrshire Council, Scotland’s 5G Centre, and our broader digital ecosystem, we’ve taken major strides toward becoming a truly digital foundry. Their backing has enabled us to modernise operations, innovate with confidence, and secure a stronger future for Scotland’s last investment casting company.
“This award reflects not only our achievement but also the strength of collaboration across Scotland’s industrial innovation ecosystem, driving a smarter, more resilient future for manufacturing.”
A spokesperson for the Connected Britain Awards said: “The Industrial Innovation Award shines a light on how digital transformation is reshaping the backbone of industry. This year’s winner took a sector that had long relied on traditional methods and injected it with the power of 5G, revolutionising productivity, improving quality, and delivering huge efficiency gains. Judges described it as a remarkable demonstration of what happens when cutting-edge connectivity meets real-world manufacturing, setting a new benchmark for industrial innovation in the UK.”
Published: 22 October 2025