UK manufacturers still lagging behind other economies in automation

Issue No. 282
22nd July 2026

UK manufacturers still lagging behind other economies in automation

New research from Schneider Electric paints a picture where UK industry is at an inflection point: more than three quarters (76%) of leaders now rank automation as a top strategic priority for the next five years, citing energy efficiency, compressed timelines and reduced downtime as key drivers. The UK continues to lags other economies, but the majority (52%) of manufacturing leaders recognise that delaying adoption would significantly increase operating costs, even while many remain at an early stage of deployment.

With best regards

Mark Simms, Editor
editor@machinebuilding.net

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