UK strong on science but losing industrial competitiveness

Issue No. 274
25th March 2026

UK strong on science but losing industrial competitiveness

The latest UK Innovation Report, published by Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy at the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, finds that while the UK excels in research and early-stage innovation, it continues to underperform on innovation outcomes such as high- technology exports, technology scale-up, and global industrial market share. Carlos Lopez- Gomez, co-author of the report, said: “Research excellence alone does not guarantee industrial competitiveness. The UK cannot simply become the ‘lab of the world’, with new products and services based on knowledge created here but produced abroad.”

With best regards

Mark Simms, Editor
editor@machinebuilding.net

EDITORS CHOICE

When machine performance is not where it should be, where do you go?

When a machine isn’t performing as expected, the solution isn’t always obvious. A performance issue might be linked to control architecture. A safety requirement might impact machine design. A networking decision might affect scalability.

T. Freemantle selects Apex Dynamics precision gearboxes

Precision planetary gearboxes from Apex Dynamics have been selected by UK packaging machinery company T. Freemantle for use in its new S01 pre-glued sleever.

ABB Robotics Partners with NVIDIA to Deliver Industrial-Grade Physical AI at Scale

ABB Robotics is integrating NVIDIA Omniverse libraries into ABB Robotics' RobotStudio to help manufacturers deploy physical AI in real world robotics applications.

Mastering motion profiles to boost precision and throughput

Calculating an application's motion profile is crucial to optimising its performance, as Gerard Bush, engineer at motion specialist INMOCO, explains.

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 ...

New RFID readers for manufacturing and logistics

Leuze is expanding its RFID portfolio with the new RDH 300i and RDU 500i series readers. With operating ranges of up to 2 metres, they offer excellent flexibility and easy integration for applications in manufacturing and logistics. The new ...

Efficient palletising in the food industry

Intelligent automation with the Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow plus chain conveyor system and Hitmark Robotics solutions is delivering efficient palletising solutions for the food industry.

Motion control powering machine performance

Lenze has built a strong presence in the UK market for more than five decades, having first established its UK operations in 1969. Over the years, Lenze has grown into a trusted partner for machine builders, OEMs and system integrators looking ...

Mclennan presents new generation MAC series integrated servomotors from JVL

Available with full application support from Mclennan in the UK, JVL's new generation MAC series integrated servomotors are available in seven model options for DC or direct-on-line AC operation in 60 mm2 and 80 mm2 frame sizes.

EVENTS & COURSES

Plan your day: what to expect at MachineBuilding.North 2026

Diary date: Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester - Wednesday, 13 May 2026. MachineBuilding.North 2026 is designed to give engineers and manufacturing professionals a clear, structured and highly productive day focused on machine building and industrial automation.

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.