NEWS Embrace robotics in 2024, says FUNAC


The UK is currently the world’s sixth largest economy and eighth largest manufacturing nation, but despite being the third biggest aerospace manufacturer, and boasting a world-leading premium automotive sector, there remain concerns around labour shortages and low productivity rates. Carl Patrick, robot sales manager – Machine Tool Automation at FANUC UK, said: “These issues are


– and always have been – linked to automation. “In order to remain competitive, industrial companies need to produce more goods, to a higher quality and in less time. Whereas the UK was once the world leader in its adoption, we now rank a lowly 25th in the world for robot density, with 98 robots per 10,000 workers. Germany, the leader in Europe, boasts 415.” “There are some signs of improved take-up,


however; 2,534 new robots were installed in the UK in 2022 – 54% more than in 2015. But the productivity gap persists and reluctance to invest in automation is still a major challenge, especially among SMEs. Much of the lingering reluctance is around a long-held fear of automation, largely based on myths that are well past time for busting.” Mr Patrick said that automation is not a magic


bullet. “If a manufacturer is looking to solve a


Spanish packaging group Saica submits bid for Newry manufacturing facility


Spanish packaging giant Saica has formally submitted a bid to construct a massive new manufacturing facility in Newry. The Zaragoza-based company’s UK subsidiary, Saica Pack, has lodged a full planning application for the 485,000sq ft paper and corrugated fibreboard factory on a 25 acre site at Invest NI’s Carnbane Industrial Estate. The project, which is expected to involve an investment in the tens of millions, will see the group relocate from its current operation at


Warrenpoint Harbour to the expanded Invest NI business park, next to Grant Fit Out’s headquarters and Modern Tyre’s new £5.5 million manufacturing facility. Saica Group employs around 10,000 people across its European operations, which manufactures recycled paper for corrugated board.


The group currently operate from five sites on the island of Ireland, including Lurgan and Enniskillen.


The Spanish group has not yet announced how much it will invest in the new Newry site, but last month it announced that a similar scale corrugated board factory being developed in Barcelona would involve an investment of more than €100m.


Industrial rates plan ‘deeply damaging for communities’, says Manufacturing NI


Manufacturing NI has said removing the £71.5 million industrial derating scheme to raise revenue for public finances would be “deeply damaging” to communities. It’s one of seven proposals from the Department of Finance as possible rates-related measures to address a £2.3 billion black hole in the public purse. A consultation ends on February 13. Industrial derating, which has been in


place for over 15 years, means a 70% discount in rates for manufacturing space. It is awarded to around 4,500


6 January 2024 Irish Manufacturing


manufacturing properties. Manufacturing NI chief Stephen Kelly said manufacturers “have stood up to their side of the bargain”. “Industry is committed to invest in production facilities, employ more people and sell more externally,” Mr Kelly said. “We are at the end and start of all


supply chains, meaning we’ve extra transportation costs, our energy prices are the highest in Europe, and even after the discount is applied, manufacturers pay more than twice the average of other sectors as they


require big spaces which cannot be fully commercialised.” He said manufacturing was still in a cost-of-doing business crisis but with large-scale investments required to meet net zero targets and in automation. Mr Kelly continued: “We need a cost-of-doing-business environment which will attract investors and allow local firms to meet their own ambitions. Removing the industrial derating cap now would be not just economically incoherent but deeply damaging to communities across NI.”


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bottleneck, then automating the process will just mean parts arriving at the bottleneck faster, exacerbating the issue,” he said. “And nor will problems with quality and consistency be solved simply by installing a machine.”


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