INvIGORaTING ThE UK’S RObOTIC INvESTMENT
to near sourcing to reduce the reliance on Far East suppliers should be provoking a surge in demand. However, with most businesses still struggling to recruit and retain staff with key skills, handling existing orders is difficult. Automation is the only way to deliver the quality and reliability required to meet new customer demand without adding staff – yet the UK lags a long way behind global competitors when it comes to the adoption of critical technologies, including robotics. While the use of robotics has traditionally
M
been associated with Far East innovators in China and South Korea, countries across Europe are accelerating their adoption. The IFR World Robotics Industrial Robots 2022 report reveals that Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Hungary are now outpacing the UK when it comes to the adoption of robotics. Indeed, with the number of new robot installations down seven per cent year-on-year, the UK has an average manufacturing robot density of 111 robots for every 10,000 employees – a long way below the global average of 141 and considerably lower than the top performing nation of the Republic of Korea (1,000) and the European frontrunner, Germany (397). The figures show a global recognition that
robotics is making a vital contribution to manufacturing efficiency and effectiveness, especially in light of global skills shortages. The implications for the long-term success of UK manufacturing are concerning unless the industry comes together to ease the adoption of automation.
FINANCIAL CONCERNS The hesitancy around automation investment throughout the manufacturing sector is understandable, given the lack of economic confidence and widespread disruption that has plagued business leaders for the past few years. The majority of manufacturing companies have focused heavily on cost
ultiple trends are converging to accelerate the adoption of automation throughout the manufacturing sector. For UK manufacturers, the shift
Why is the UK’s manufacturing sector not investing more in robotics, when the rest of the world is rapidly embracing innovation and automation? The UK is currently languishing at 24th in the world robot density rankings, making it the only G7 country to sit outside the top 20. With few homegrown solutions, the UK lacks the skills, confidence and mindset required to accelerate robotic adoption. Education is key. Robotics is not just about costly, precision manufacturing processes. Nor do companies require an expensive fleet of robots to replace the human workforce. Just one or two autonomous vehicles (avs) can work side by side with staff, undertaking the tedious repetitive activity, improving productivity and freeing up people to undertake more interesting roles. Robotics can be quickly added to any business but with SME manufacturers under intense pressure due to rising costs and staff shortages, the onus is on the automation industry to make adoption easier. Paul Rivers, managing director, Guidance automation, insists it is imperative that the automation community comes together to support firms to embrace robotics and ensure the UK’s reputation as a nation of manufacturers continues to thrive.
reduction, but margins are still so low that it can be hard to build a business case for any significant capital investment. In addition, company resources are
stretched at every level, including senior staff. The great resignation has affected the C-suite, leaving management teams with no time for long drawn-out product assessments or complex contractual negotiations. Many of these businesses have also been affected by poor automation experiences in the past: nearly 50 per cent of SMEs that have tried some automation and had under par results, say that they would not try again. This is an attitude and experience that has
to change – and it emphasises the importance of getting the right partner and advice at the outset to ensure optimal results. However, the onus is on the automation industry to make investment easier, simpler and more
12 CONNECTING INDUSTRY 20Th aNNIvERSaRY EDITION
accessible to entice manufacturers to explore automation and robotics. For example:
Models such as ‘Robotics as a Service’, where companies can use Opex to access automation by renting AVs.
Flexible contracts that help manufacturers manage peaks and troughs in demand.
Shorter contracts that give companies the confidence to try robots without incurring unacceptable business risk.
CHANGING PERCEPTIONS The automation industry also needs to be far more proactive in allowing businesses to see robots in action. The lack of UK-developed robots has without any doubt contributed to
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
