Swinton firm wins global award for smart manufacturing tech

A Salford-based technology company has won international recognition for its work helping manufacturers cut energy use and improve efficiency.

Invisible Systems, based in Swinton, has been named “Smart Manufacturing Solution of the Year” in the 2026 IoT Breakthrough Awards. The accolade was awarded by IoT Breakthrough, an industry research body that spotlights innovation in the global Internet of Things (IoT) sector.

The firm designs and builds wireless monitoring systems that give real-time data on energy usage, temperature, humidity, vibration and air quality. The system, developed entirely in-house, allows manufacturers to keep track of their site conditions from one platform, helping them reduce carbon emissions, avoid costly breakdowns, and stay audit-ready.

Its platform, Live by Invisible Systems, gives users instant access to live and historic data from across multiple locations. The aim is to allow teams to act faster, avoid downtime, and stay ahead of compliance demands.

Among the company’s specialist tools is a system for Legionella monitoring, which checks water temperatures in pipes to ensure safety and legal compliance. Invisible Systems said its full in-house model means it can deliver more reliable and secure systems while offering a single point of contact to clients.

Chief executive Jonathan Law said: “From temperature control to energy performance, we’ve been leading innovation in this space for over two decades. We don’t just monitor, we help manufacturers predict problems, cut waste, and become more resilient.”

The firm’s client list includes well-known names such as Greggs, the NHS, Balfour Beatty and Mitie.

Steve Johansson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough, said Invisible Systems was helping factories shift from reactive to proactive decision-making. “Every minute and every process counts in manufacturing,” he said. “Invisible Systems is making it easier for firms to find and fix invisible inefficiencies before they become costly problems.”

Invisible Systems was founded in 2003 and currently processes over one million data records every day. It works across a wide range of sectors including construction, healthcare and facilities management.