Issue No: 36
23rd April 2026

Automation systems are shifting towards software, data and AI

Industrial automation is moving away from traditional control systems and towards software, data, and AI. A new report from Bain & Company suggests that the software-based elements at the top of the traditional automation stack are increasingly acting as the 'brains' of industrial operations, translating raw signals into decisions and outcomes. And companies that are orchestrating data, software and smart devices at scale are achieving productivity gains of 30-50%, maintenance cost reductions up to 35% and extended asset lifetimes, with food and beverage being a key sector already benefiting from the technology advances.

With best regards

Mark Simms, Editor
msimms@theengineeringnetwork.co.uk

EDITORS CHOICE

Everything you need for machine building - all in one place, in one day

For engineers working in machine building and industrial automation, finding the right solution is rarely straightforward. It often means hours of research, multiple supplier conversations and time spent comparing different technologies, approaches and integration strategies. MachineBuilding.North 2026 has been designed to change that.

New version of MVTec HALCON focuses on speed and performance of AI and rule-based methods

MVTec Software will release the new version of its standard software, MVTec HALCON, for machine vision on May 20, 2026. HALCON users benefit from the regular release cycle through the continuous integration of the latest machine vision ...

Mitsubishi Electric calls on UK manufacturers to double down on energy management

With energy prices rising due to ongoing disruption to global supply chains, Mitsubishi Electric is urging UK manufacturers to take immediate steps to manage their energy usage. As a result of recent market volatility, higher energy costs for the ...

The next chapter in beverage dispense technology

The beverage dispense industry has undergone a quiet revolution over the past decade. What began as a means to closely monitor volume and secure revenue - effectively tracking every pint poured - has evolved into a sophisticated space focused on ...

CASE STUDIES, NEW PRODUCTS & NEWS

Safety upgrade for packaging machines

At Interpack, automation expert Pilz will be showcasing future-proof sensor technology and control solutions under the slogan "Packaging without risk. Safety without compromise".

How air quality monitoring is shaping best practice in food processing

As food manufacturers face tighter compliance expectations, growing customer audits, and rising pressure to safeguard product integrity, air quality monitoring is no longer optional - it is a frontline quality-control measure, says Andy Lill, ...
EVENTS & COURSES

You asked, Pilz UK listened

Of all the training sessions Pilz UK runs, the City & Guilds Assured 4-Day Machinery Safety Course is the most popular. But the journey to the training facility in Corby isn’t always feasible - either for sheer distance or for the Monday ...

MachineBuilding.North 2026 brings together the technologies, expertise and insight shaping modern machine building

MachineBuilding.North 2026 takes place at the Concorde Conference Centre in Manchester on Wednesday, 13th May, bringing together hundreds of engineers, machine builders and automation specialists for a highly focused one-day event.

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The average nett spend initiated by engineers in the food and drink industry outstrips almost all other manufacturing sectors, and the arrival of Food Manufacturing.net means that suppliers of engineering solutions to the sector now have a unique and laser focused platform to showcase their wares and successes.

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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