INDUSTRY News


TRENDS SHAPING MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE


What separates a successful business isn’t just what they implement, but how they implement. That takes engaged employees, phased adoption, and strategic intent


competitive advantage.


As manufacturers look to the year ahead, Andy Coussins, EVP International,  and innovation, with automation delivering a competitive advantage


T


he manufacturing sector remains a vital part of the UK economy, valued at £212 billion and ranking 11th globally. Output across every UK


region is now above pre-pandemic levels, and around 12,000 new manufacturing jobs have been created in the past year. The recent S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI rose above 50 in November, the highest it has been for 14 months.


 fragile as manufacturers continue to navigate  emerging when it comes to reshaping operations.


1. Harmonising global operations through connected systems For many manufacturers, the barrier to


progress is fragmentation. Organisations with multiple sites, regional variations, or acquired business units often struggle to maintain visibility and consistency across operations. We are seeing manufacturers shift toward  that unify processes and create a single source of truth. For example, one of our customers  roadmap aimed at bringing more than 20 operating entities onto one platform. As a result, they have reduced reliance on ageing systems and eliminated regional workarounds. Success in modern manufacturing hinges


on breaking down silos and enabling cross- border consistency. Cloud ERP has become the foundation for doing both, and for building the more resilient and connected


8 January 2026 | Automation


operations that we need.   and space for performance optimisation is setting our customers apart. Collecting data directly  in real-time maximises data accuracy and process automation.


In turn, manual processing time and error


   employees are empowered to make informed decisions, decreasing response times and anticipating and solving production problems before they happen.


Some businesses have cut quoting times


from days to hours by connecting design and production data, while others are using analytics to spot quality issues before they escalate. For example, in the plastics manufacturing space, one customer has excelled in their focus  principles while providing real-time analysis for optimal production performance. The team can monitor Overall Equipment  energy consumption which has revolutionised 


3. Using automation to innovate and 


The best manufacturers are rethinking what automation means. They are going beyond automating tasks and are connecting systems to unlock innovation, enhance customer responsiveness and deliver a


One such customer prides themselves on excelling in complex, small-batch production,  within challenging lead times. With a 24/7 production environment it uses automation in multiple ways to deliver cutting-edge, high  A notable innovation is the use of QR codes for ease of transmitting information to customers, which used to be a manual process. For others, integrating cloud-based ERP systems with customer service solutions such as Zendesk can revolutionise customer relationships with new customer support processes, the elimination of duplicate data entry, streamlined operations, and pipeline visibility for sales teams.


4. Making change a cultural advantage Operational excellence stems not just


from tech investments, but from change management and maximising internal adoption. It takes communication, early and ongoing training, and collaboration to make transformation stick and become part of an ongoing culture. One approach that can be successful is a two phased roll-out, with part one focused on workforce buy-in and embracing change management, such as during a cloud deployment, then part two on enterprise-wide implementation. This proactive approach to embracing change can greatly improve adoption, accuracy and maximise resources and planning from the get-go.


5. Manufacturing with purpose: aligning sustainability and performance The days of viewing sustainability through the lens of regulatory compliance are over. Sustainability should be integrated into the heart of a business strategy, helping manufacturers stay compliant, boost the bottom line, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.


As the sector heads toward 2026, the balance between innovation and execution, and between people and technology will continue 


Epicor www.epicor.com


automationmagazine.co.uk


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