Issue No: 37
28th May 2026

UK manufacturers shift from AI adoption to industrial execution

New research from Rockwell Automation, its 11th annual State of Smart Manufacturing report, highlights a clear shift in how UK manufacturers are approaching digital transformation. With 87% of organisations now recognising it as essential and allocating an average of 27% of operating budgets to industrial technology, the UK has moved beyond early-stage adoption and into a phase where digital investment must translate into operational performance. AI is a key technology, and the focus is shifting from experimentation toward practical use cases that deliver measurable value.

With best regards

Mark Simms, Editor
msimms@theengineeringnetwork.co.uk

EDITORS CHOICE

MachineBuilding.South launches this July as the UK

As MachineBuilding.North welcomes a packed audience of engineers, automation specialists and machine builders to Manchester this week, attention is already turning to the next event in the series.

ABB first in world to offer a magnet-free IE6 motor for hazardous areas

ABB says it is the world's first manufacturer to offer an IE6 Hyper‑Efficiency motor certified to ATEX and IECEx requirements for use in hazardous areas. The new IE6 Increased safety motor, based on ABB's magnet- and rare earth- free ...

Interroll Holding AG announces the acquisition of Royal Apollo Group

Interroll Holding has announced that it has acquired Royal Apollo Group, a Netherlands-based provider of vertical conveying, logistic and baling solutions.

Software to solve costly headache in the food and beverage industry

In food and beverage, the stakes are especially high - a single point of delay can undo the efficiencies achieved everywhere else. Here, Beth Ragdale, software business manager at Beckhoff UK, explains why tackling bottlenecks requires a rethink ...

CASE STUDIES, NEW PRODUCTS & NEWS

People and machinery safely in harmony

Pilz has provided safety consulting and thorough training for dairy company Bega Group, bringing the 'Spirit of Safety' to life.

Ensure compressed air quality is always compliant

A clean air supply is vital to the efficiency and sustainability of food and beverage operations, where a sensitive product is being manufactured or packaged. Compressed air quality can deteriorate over time. Atlas Copco offers a choice of ...
EVENTS & COURSES

Industrial security needs your attention now

The Machinery Regulation may be mandatory from January 2027, but the subjects it covers - such as external attacks and potential manipulation - are issues that we're all facing right now. Knowledge is power; take your Industrial Security to the next ...

MachineBuilding.South 2026 launches with expanded workshops and hands-on IO-Link training.

MachineBuilding.South 2026 will launch at Sandown Park, Surrey, on Wednesday, 8th July, bringing a full day of technical learning, practical workshops and hands-on automation training to engineers working across machine building and industrial automation.

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Free guide to Food and Beverage Industry Machine Design

Now published is the Guide to Food & Beverage Industry Machine Design, produced by MachineBuilding.net (a sister publication to FoodManufacturing.net). The free guide covers technological and market trends, legislation, regulations and standards,  machine zones, electrical equipment, fluid power, robotics, conveyors, mechanical components, machinery safety, energy efficiency, productivity, maintenance and more...
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