NEWS


COMMENT W


elcome to the second issue of your new look Process & Control Engineering.


This month saw the release of the 11th annual Rockwell Automation ‘State of Smart Manufacturing Report’. You can see the results in more detail on page 5, but the report highlights how manufacturers are moving from experimentation with digital technologies to large scale operational deployment: • Digital transformation is now seen as essential • Manufacturers are moving beyond pilot projects • AI is becoming central to manufacturing operations • Operational intelligence is emerging as a competitive differentiator • Cybersecurity concerns are intensifying • Manufacturers are prioritising measurable operational outcomes • Industrial technology spending remains high • System integration remains an obstacle in some regions • Workforce and resilience challenges continue What’s really encouraging is UK manufacturing is mirroring this more mature phase of digital transformation. Eighty-seven percent of UK manufacturers say digital transformation is necessary for their organisation, which is above the European average of 84% and close to the global figure of 90%. The good news is that this shift is reflected in spending levels. Process & Control Engineering regularly covers subjects such as smart manufacturing, AI, digital transformation, and cybersecurity, to help readers navigate the ever-changing industrial landscape. For example, the feature on page 26-27 looks at how the intelligent use of data is redefining quality in UK manufacturing, while on page 28 we look at overcoming the challenge of unifying legacy SCADA systems with IoT-based data platforms. I hope you enjoy this issue!  Michelle Lea Editor


A


INDUSTRY CALLS FOR SHAKE-UP OF PLANNING


Make UK survey has found that the manufacturing industry is calling for a radical shake-up of the planning system. Key findings of the report include:


• Nearly half of manufacturers say the planning system is holding back the UK’s economic potential. • Almost half of manufacturers believe the planning system is slowing their ability to grow or invest in their business • Nearly half report that the biggest barrier is the complexity of planning regulations • More than two thirds of companies support stronger planning powers for regional mayors • Two thirds of manufacturers say coordinated regional planning would make it easier to expand • Over half of manufacturers say environmental policies that protect species such as newts and bats have affected planning proposals Britain’s manufacturers are calling on the Government to turbocharge planning


reforms in order to help boost economic growth, or risk failing to deliver on key ambitions such as industrial strategy, regional development and decarbonisation. Make UK is calling for much faster and bolder action than is currently taking place with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and says strategic manufacturing and other major infrastructure projects should be fast tracked. To help address barriers in the current system, as well as stronger strategic and mayoral powers, Make UK has made the following key recommendations: • Introduce a ‘Manufacturing Growth Test’ for planning reform to assess whether reforms are actually reducing cost, complexity and uncertainty for businesses looking to invest, expand and decarbonise. • Fast track strategic manufacturing investment for strategic manufacturing projects and regions, particularly those driving productivity, net zero or supply chain resilience. • End postcode planning through stronger national rules to remove uncertainty and inconsistency from different local authorities. • Cut the cost and complexity of planning applications to speed up and simplify applications. Fix environmental processes so they are predictable and proportionate and move away from a case by case negotiation. www.makeuk.org


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sales@lamonde.com | www.lamonde.com | +44 (0)20 3026 2670 4 PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING | MAY 2026


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