Have UK manufacturers left it too late to automate?

Issue No. 253
23rd April 2025

Have UK manufacturers left it too late to automate?

An interesting question was fed back to me from a previous newsletter: have the UK's manufacturers waited so long to automate that their international competitors now have an unassailable advantage? That's a hard question to answer, other than saying I hope not, but I'm encouraged that, despite rising concerns about a tariff-driven global recession, the UK's manufacturers are optimistic, with a report suggesting some 63% believe opportunities outweigh the risks. Still, automation will hold one of keys to capitalising upon those opportunities. And how much I wonder is the onus is on machine builders themselves to drive home to their manufacturing customers the benefits that advanced levels of automation can bring?

With best regards

Mark Simms, Editor
editor@machinebuilding.net

EDITORS CHOICE

Robotic dogs to the rescue

Robot dogs are being used for a variety of tasks, ranging from preserving heritage sites to assisting in manufacturing plants. igus has introduced its own quadruped robot, the SID1 bionic robot.

OMRON opens new Automation Centre in Stuttgart

OMRON has celebrated the grand opening of a new Automation Centre in Stuttgart, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, excellence and customer-centric solutions in industrial automation.

Shifting the manufacturing narrative towards productivity

Productivity rates in the UK will need to rise if we are to remain a manufacturing force. The time to invest in automation is now, says Oliver Selby, head of sales for FANUC UK and Chair of BARA.

Beware of counterfeit MiniTec Powerlock fasteners

In today's interconnected global marketplace, the prevalence of counterfeit products poses a significant threat to industries, including manufacturing. Alarmingly, counterfeit versions of MiniTec's Powerlock fastenings have infiltrated the market, ...

Smart 3D evaluation and output of stitched 2D/3D laser line profile data

Micro-Epsilon has extended its range of 2D/3D measurement systems with the 3D Profile Unit (3DPU), a powerful computer platform that enables the calculation and profile stitching of up to eight individual profiles from the scanCONTROL 30xx ...

Lasnek introduces latest printer enclosure range

Now available from Lasnek, the premier manufacturer of stainless steel cable management products, is the latest range of printer enclosures designed to house industrial printers in production areas that require stringent hygienic cleaning ...

Variable frequency drives and their role in pump systems

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) play a crucial role in enhancing pump systems by significantly improving their efficiency. These devices manage the speed of the pump motors, allowing for better control and reduced energy consumption, as the ...

Secure your productivity with ADS Uptime

ADS Uptime from Leine Linde, part of the HEIDENHAIN Group, provides a condition monitoring system for encoders, offering unparalleled flexibility through wireless service check-ups or connections via ADS Link. This system ensures you have ...

Advertise with MachineBuilding.net

MachineBuilding.net is unique and has almost 30,000 articles of reference available for machine builders. A variety of high-performing advertising and promotional programmes are available to suit all budgets and aspirations. We provide all advertisers with full reporting facilities monthly, weekly or on demand as desired, and to assure advertisers of factual, unbiased information we only use Google Analytics for site visitor traffic reporting.

Download the media pack

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

We are sending you this newsletter because you requested it or you have a connection to one of the companies on the MachineBuilding.net website (for example you might be the marketing manager, PR agent or advertising agent). Under GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation), the lawful basis on which we are sending you the newsletter is therefore either Consent or Legitimate Interest. Follow the link to read our Privacy Policy . You can unsubscribe by clicking the link in the footer of this newsletter.